Byko: Ready for a fitting 4th?
Sights and sounds will be different this summer
Friday morning Jeff Guaracino, the new president and CEO of Welcome America, will unveil this year's Wawa Welcome America!
I'm pretty sure I won't have to cover my ears or my eyes this year.
Last year I complained not once, but twice, about the July 4th show on the Parkway for several reasons. And I was not the only one.
The main thing it lacked, IMHO, was the "P-word" – Patriotism.
Musical acts were picked by the Roots, Mayor Nutter's favorite group, and the chosen acts may have been "popular" to some, they didn't present "patriotic" selections. Musical guests should be varied, but should have broad appeal to all Americans. And no cursing. Not at a July 4th family show.
I'm hearing this year the show will be varied, clean and patriotic, using a salute to Philadelphia, not because we're all full of ourselves, but because, really, this is the birthplace of America.
Fireworks on July 4th will be moved earlier, to 10 p.m., making it more family friendly. Numerous people complained about the late fireworks last year. (It will also save the city some money in service costs.)
Finally, and this is not a "city" deal, in the Independence Day Parade, look for Mummers to ride and play on the Philadelphia Gay News' float. PGN Editor and Publisher Mark Segal is a life-long Mummers fan (as well as being a life-long gay).