Philadelphia Events for Monday, July 4, 2005

The nation's biggest and best 4th of July Celebration all comes to a huge conclusion on Monday with lots of activities at Independence National Park in the morning and early afternoon including the presentation of the City of Brotherly Love Humanitarian Award to Elton John. In the afternoon things start up on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway all leading up to the big parade, the Sunoco Philadelphia Freedom Concert, starring Elton John, Patti LaBelle, Bryan Adams, Rufus Wainwright and Peter Nero and the Philly Pops on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and then a spectacular fireworks display above the Philadelphia Museum of Art. View Monday's Event Calendar.

8:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Family-friendly fun during extended hours at the Independence Visitor Center

• 8:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. American Friends Service Committee outdoor exhibit, Eyes Wide Open: The Human Cost of War in Iraq, on display
• 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Face painting
• 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Refreshments available under outdoor tents

9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Once Upon A Nation, including storytelling, Adventure Tours, twilight activities and colonial characters

• 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Meet Timothy Matlack, Free Quaker, and the scribe who hand-wrote the Declaration of Independence, Free Quaker Meeting House
• 10:00 a.m. Hunt for Democracy Adventure Tour, in which participants meet characters from history and join in a secret revolutionary meeting. Tours depart from and tickets available at the Independence Visitor Center. Tickets: $25 for adults, $15 for children (6-12) and $21 for seniors/students/military.
• 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Storytelling at 13 storytelling benches throughout the Historic District and colonial characters and games on Harmony Lane
• 11:00 a.m. - NOON Under the Mulberry Tree, featuring the wit and wisdom of Ben Franklin at Franklin Court
• 12:30 p.m. Military Muster, in which kids enlist in the Continental Army, Signer’s Garden
• 1:30 p.m. Military Muster, Christ Church

9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Lights of Liberty Show activities at PECO Energy Liberty Center

• 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Ben Franklin’s Ghost exhibit
• NOON - 1:00 p.m. Final competition in the Lights of Liberty Show’s Teen Idol Search for the Greatest “God Bless America.” The winner will perform with Peter Nero and the Philly Pops at the Sunoco Philadelphia Freedom Concert.

9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. Extended hours for the Liberty Bell Center and Independence Hall. Free, timed tickets for Independence Hall tour available at the Independence Visitor Center. No tickets necessary today. Security screening for the Bell and Hall located on Market Street between 5th and 6th Streets. Last screening at 8:45 p.m.

9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Lincoln: The Constitution and the Civil War exhibition; Freedom Rising, a multi-media theatrical performance; and the first-ever U.S. viewing of the Normandy Bell at the National Constitution Center. First 1,000 kids (12 and under) to enter each day receive a glow-in-the-dark cosmic necklace with museum admission.

10:00 A.M.-2:00 P.M. Activities on Independence Mall

• 10:00 a.m. Independence Day ceremony and the first City of Brotherly Love Humanitarian Award, presented to Elton John. Chestnut Street will be closed to the public until after the ceremony.
• 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Let Freedom Ring, including a parade from the National Constitution Center to the Liberty Bell Center to celebrate the arrival of the historic “Normandy Bell.” The parade is followed by a ceremonial tapping of the Liberty Bell and performances by the Philadelphia Boys Choir, the Navy Ceremonial Band and a military fly-over.

10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Liberty Days at the National Liberty Museum, complete with crafts, tours and family activities. Free with admission.

10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Storytelling, magicians, colonial crafts, family entertainment, discounted audio tours and Betsy herself at the Betsy Ross House

• 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Make-and-take crafts for kids
• 1:30 p.m. Naturalization ceremony
• 2:00 p.m. Children of the American Revolution Let Freedom Ring bell-ringing ceremony, featuring America’s newest citizens

11:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. 18th-century military encampment and other re-enactments, colonial games, crafts, entertainment and food at City Tavern, site of the first Fourth of July celebration in 1777.

NOON - 5:00 p.m. Ice Cream Festival at the Festival Pier at Penn’s Landing. Tickets: $5

2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Parkway Festival, featuring games, activities and more on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway

6:00-7:30 p.m. Twilight Tours of Historic District, free excursions sponsored by the Friends of Independence National Historical Park, revealing unknown stories about the nation’s founders. Tours begin on Chestnut Street between 5th and 6th Streets, across from Independence Hall.

6:30 p.m. Southwest Airlines Fourth of July Parade, complete with floats, music and a special salute to the U.S. Army on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway

8:30 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. Sunoco Philadelphia Freedom Concert, starring Elton John, Patti LaBelle, Bryan Adams, Rufus Wainwright and Peter Nero and the Philly Pops on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art

11:00 p.m. Spectacular fireworks display above the Philadelphia Museum of Art