PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A monumental 16 days of events associated with Philadelphia's 2021 Welcome America celebration, from Juneteenth to the Fourth of July, will come to a close this weekend. With this year's July 4 concert relocated from the Benjamin Franklin Parkway to the Mann Center for the Performing Arts in Fairmount Park, there will be fewer road closures than in previous years.
The fireworks show following the Welcome America July 4th Concert, headlined by Bebe Rexha and Flo Rida, will still take place over the Philadelphia Museum of Art. To accommodate crowds gathered to watch from the Parkway, streets surrounding the area will be closed throughout the day on Sunday.
Details about road closures, transportation, and Mann Center safety and security regulations through the weekend follow.
Road closures
Friday, July 2
The Our America Now event at the Barnes Foundation begins at 10 a.m. and will require the following street closures:
• Ben Franklin Parkway outbound lane, between 20th and 21st street — 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• 21st Street, between Ben Franklin Parkway and Pennsylvania Avenue — 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• Intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and 21st Street — 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• 20th Street, between Ben Franklin Parkway and Pennsylvania Avenue — 4 p.m. to 12 a.m.
• Wood Street, between 19th and 20th streets — 4 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Saturday, July 3
For the Celebration of Freedom event, 6th Street will be closed between Chestnut and Walnut streets from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Sunday, July 4
For the Celebration of Freedom event, 6th Street will be closed between Chestnut and Walnut streets from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular will require the following street closures:
• North Georges Hill Drive, between South Georges Hill Drive and Wynnefield Avenue — 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.
• Montgomery and Avenue of the Republic (in front of The Mann Center) — during fireworks
• Ben Franklin Parkway inner and outer lanes — 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
20th and 22nd streets, between Arch Street and Ben Franklin Parkway — 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
• 21st Street at Pennsylvania Avenue — 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
• Spring Garden Street at 22nd Street — 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
• Art Museum Tunnel — 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
• I-76 eastbound ramp at Spring Garden Street — 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
• 31st Street at Spring Garden Bridge — 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
• Kelly Drive between Fairmount Avenue and Midvale Avenue — 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. (Kelly Drive will be detoured from Strawberry Mansion to Fountain Green from 4 a.m. to 5 p.m. for a regatta.)
Parkway closures may begin earlier in the evening, depending on crowd size.
Center City street parking
The Philadelphia Parking Authority will not enforce meters, kiosks or residential parking time limits on Sunday, July 4, and Monday, July 5. Enforcement of normal parking regulations will pick back up on Tuesday, July 6.
Transportation and public transit
The Mann Center, where the Welcome America July 4th Concert and POPS on Independence @ the Mann will be located, is in Fairmount Park and is easily accessible by public transportation, car, ride share and bicycle.
For stops and schedules for SEPTA's Mann Center Loop, visit iseptaphilly.com/mannloop.
The Mann Center has a dedicated taxi and ride share drop-off and pick-up location at Crawford Circle.
Parking at the Mann Center is free.
Health, safety and accessibility
For questions about ADA accommodations, email Info@MannCenter.org or call 215-546-7900 weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For details about the Mann Center's health and safety protocols, visit manncenter.org/planyourvisit.
With high temperatures possible, there is a risk of heat-related illnesses. For weather-related details and other alerts from the Office of Emergency Management, text "AMERICA" to 888-777.
Welcome America still strongly encourages people who are not vaccinated against COVID-19, or are not fully vaccinated, to wear masks indoors and outdoors when around others.
Security
For everyone's safety, all large bags and containers will be subject to search as they enter the Mann Center.
The following items are not permitted at the Mann Center or on the Parkway:
• Alcoholic beverages
• Glass bottles and containers
• Tents or large structures that may block others' view
• Narcotics and illegal drugs
• Firecrackers or explosives
• Firearms or weapons of any kind
• Open flame
• Animals (service animals are welcome, but not pets)
• Drones