July 4th is rockin’ in Philly with free family fun.

FunTimes Magazine Culture & Entertainment, Week of June 26, 2023

June means summer has arrived, and July takes it to the next level, with the ‘Dynamic Five’ synonymous with Independence Day: Food, fireworks, fun, family and the Fourth! So, let’s roll out the patriotic red, white and blue carpet to celebrate Philadelphia’s birthday. And these eventful activities will do the trick, and then some….(For a complete list of events before and on July 4th featuring a Ludacris and Demi Lovato concert and fireworks display on The Benjamin Franklin Parkway, visit july4thphilly.com).

Tying the knot with an intercultural twist

June 30, 2023. June is prime wedding season, so FunTimes is planning a virtual workshop to help you. As part of an ongoing series on intercultural relationships’ complexities, challenges and joys, FunTimes will explore One Love, Two Cultures: How to Plan a Wedding for Intercultural Couples. A Philadelphia-area wedding planner and mixed couple will share valuable information and experiences to navigate the process leading to the big celebratory moment. Meet Asha, an African-American, and Shawn, from India, who are married. They met on Tinder, and Asha almost didn’t make it for the first date. 

Moreover, during that initial meeting, Shawn thought that Asha was uninterested in him. But fate had other plans; today, the mixed couple are happily married and are here to tell you about the ups and downs of planning a wedding first-hand. Hosted by the dynamic Jennifer K. Smith of FunTimes Magazine, which serves the African, African-American and Caribbean communities in the Mid-Atlantic region and globally. Free, 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. EST, www.funtimesmagazine.com or register: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/98194009996.

Go to ‘Hoagie heaven’

June 28, 2023. It’s a Philly thing: A free hoagie from Wawa. Can’t beat it, as long as you don’t mind waiting in a line that is longer than your hoagie. They are serving up 25,000 Shorti® hoagies at a gigantic block party on the lawn of the National Constitution Center on Independence Hall at Hoagie Day®. Enjoy Hoagie Day tributes to local frontline heroes featuring a Hoagie for Heroes hoagie-building competition, entertainment and, of course, those tasty hoagie giveaways. More than 1,000 Wawa stores will celebrate Hoagie Day® by building and donating more than 30,000 hoagies to local first responders and community heroes. Follow the festivities on social media, or sign up for our e-mail list for timely event information. Free admission to the National Constitution Center. Hoagie distribution at noon EST, Arch Street, between 5th and 6th streets. july4thphilly.com.

A day of play in the community 

June 29, 2023. Einstein Medical Center Philadelphia Community Day is a mouthful to say. But it’s worth it! Enjoy an afternoon of cool family fun. Hosted by Einstein Medical Center Philadelphia, play games from House of Gamez, get food giveaways and check out other carnival-style entertainment. Parents can learn about Einstein’s healthcare services and job opportunities. It’s all part of the 16-day Wawa Welcome America festival. Free, 4 p.m., EST., Cherashore Playground, 851 W. Olney Ave. july4thphilly.com. 

Low Cut Connie (top), Chill Moody 

Music & art hit a high note

June 29, 2023. Call it hip-rock with a bit of art tossed in for good measure. Chill out with Low Cut Connie with Chill Moody in a concert that fuses hip-hop, rock and visual art. It’s all part of the Downstage @ the Mann series Presented by Cadillac, celebrating the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. Rock-outfit Low Cut Connie and Chill Moody will explore “the intersection of hip-hop, rock, and visual art” created by Gianni Lee and Made by Murdic. Tickets: $37, 8 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m., EST), TD Pavilion at The Mann, manncenter.org.

Community career fair is your direct connect

June 30, 2023, Who’s knocking at your door? Opportunity, is that’s who, Job-seekers, meet and mingle with dozens of hiring managers of companies and small local businesses from all types of nonprofit, commercial and government industries at the 3rd Annual West Philly Community Job Fair. Learn about companies that are hiring and what their hiring needs are. Show them what you got! Bring your “A’ game and resume to impress. You got this! Free, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. EST. Christian Stronghold Church, 4701 Lancaster Ave. Companies interested in participating can e-mail: [email protected], and job prospects can register at allevents.in.

Get fired up!

July 1, 2023. Why not call it Fireplay? Anyhow, be prepared to be wowed this Independence weekend at the U.S. Army Band Pershing’s Own Concert & Waterfront Fireworks. The patriotic music by an all-star military band and fireworks display over the Delaware River is always a treat and cool warm-up for the grand fireworks over the Philadelphia Museum of Art on The Ben Franklin Parkway July 4th evening. It’s all part of the Wawa Welcome America festival. Free concert at 8 p.m. and fireworks at 9:30 p.m. EST. The Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, 101 S. Columbus Blvd. delawareriverwaterfront.com or july4thphilly.com.

July 4th Concert & fireworks finale features Ludacris and Lovato

July 4, 2023. Philly is first on the Fourth! After all, it’s the birthplace of the nation and the America’s cradle of liberty. And the Wawa Welcome America festival’s grand finale will bring you the United States’ biggest July 4th festivities. Grammy winner Ludacris and Grammy-nominated Demi Lovato will fill the music bill on The Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Ludacris and Lovato will be joined by Adam Blackstone, a musician, Emmy Award-winning music director and Grammy Award-winning writer. Blackstone is a New Jersey native and Philadelphia’s University of the Arts alumnus. Blackstone is the musical director of live shows by Justin Timberlake, Janet Jackson, Alicia Keys, Maroon 5 and recently cultivated Rihanna’s Super Bowl 57 Halftime Shows.

On a side stage on The Parkway, the PA Lottery Groove Stage, Snacktime Philly, and DJ Diamond Kuts will be performing before the main event nearby from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. EST. Main show starts with Blackstone at 7 p.m., Ludacris, at 7:40 p.m., and Lovato, at 8:30 p.m. Fireworks display, 9:40 p.m. Gates open at 4 p.m. Get a free bag of Haribo Gummy Bears at entry and check out the Well-being on Wheels presented by Independence Blue Cross with free health screenings, wellness information and nutrition takeaways. Free. The Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 23rd Street & The Benjamin Franklin Parkway. july4thphilly.com.