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Philly's 4th falls short

The Liberty Medal is missing, along with any patriotic tunes at the concert on the Parkway

Red, white and blue streaks were mixed in with the fireworks over the Art Museum on July 4, but otherwise patriotism was conspicuously absent. (MATT ROURKE / ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Red, white and blue streaks were mixed in with the fireworks over the Art Museum on July 4, but otherwise patriotism was conspicuously absent. (MATT ROURKE / ASSOCIATED PRESS)Read more
    by Stu Bykofsky | Columnist
    Published 

CONTRARY TO the old Army recruiting slogan, July 4 in Philadelphia is not all that it can be.

A rain-dappled Saturday held down attendance some, but I think the fault lies elsewhere.

The morning ceremonies at Independence Hall lacked a hook, which it once had.

More troubling was the evening concert on the Parkway, which has several problems, including scrubbing of any trace of the "P-word:" Patriotism.

To some people, "patriotism" smacks of jingoism rather than simple love of country (even though love sometimes means having to say you're sorry).

Let's walk through July 4, starting with the hour-long ceremony at 10 a.m. outside Independence Hall.

Highlights were remarks by Independence National Historical Park Superintendent Cynthia MacLeod, who praised the founders' "earth-shattering and improbable decision" to create a democracy; the naturalization of new Americans from a dozen countries; Mayor Nutter's heartfelt remarks urging conversations about race to focus on what binds us together, not our differences.

The hook that Independence Day once had was the presentation of the Liberty Medal, starting in 1989 with Polish hero of democracy Lech Walesa.

In 2005, citing "unavoidable scheduling conflicts" (cough, cough) with the recipient (Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko) the Liberty Medal was moved to the fall.

It never returned.

When the Liberty Medal was first announced, it was hailed as the capstone that would turn the world's eyes to Philadelphia, where America began. It did.

Move it back to July 4th.

After morning ceremonies, patriotism had the rest of the day off.

The Party on the Parkway followed, and that's what it was. Not much of the "P-word" there.

The culmination of the Welcome America! week-long celebration was the Jam on the Parkway ending in the (late-starting) fireworks display.

It is free, yes. So are concerts in New York and Washington, which are televised. Ours is not.

That's one of the reasons ours was headlined by Miguel and Jennifer Nettles. Not precisely All-Star names.

It was different in NYC and D.C.

New York: Kelly Clarkson, Brad Paisley, Flo Rida.

D.C.: Barry Manilow, Alabama, KC and the Sunshine Band.

See the difference?

I asked the city a bunch of questions about who makes the music decisions, why and how much the talent is paid, but the city resists transparency on these issues.

"The Welcome America! board together with the Roots chose the talent," says mayoral spokesman Mark McDonald.

The Roots, making their seventh consecutive appearance, are from South Philly, they're a good band, but who put them in charge? Their closing-act "surprise guest" was Cee-Lo Green, on probation for a drug conviction that was downgraded from a sexual assault.

Quite a Yankee Doodle Dandy.

I suspect the Roots will depart with Mayor Nutter, a major fan.

The concert lacked any music of a patriotic nature. Brotherly Love opened with a soft rendition of the "Star Spangled Banner." After that, zilch.

"America the Beautiful"? No. "God Bless America"? Not a chance. "The Stars and Stripes forever"? You must be kidding.

The choice of musicians and their choice of material made this just another outdoor Philadelphia musical event - like Jam on the River and Made in America.

July 4th is special and it should be different. Yes, even patriotic.

Phone: 215-854-5977

On Twitter: @StuBykofsky

Blog: ph.ly/BykoColumns: ph.ly/StuBykofsky