PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Friday’s Salute to Independence Parade in Philadelphia has been canceled, yet another event axed because of the dangerous heat.
The parade was supposed to be one of the signature events of the city’s Wawa Welcome America July Fourth celebrations.
Michael DelBene, head of Welcome America, said in a statement, “As much as this decision pains everyone inside our organization, we simply cannot host an event of this size and scale under these dangerous heat conditions.”
Al Miller, an audio engineer for all the parade floats, didn’t hear from anyone with the parade that it was canceled; he found out through the news.
While it is very disappointing, he certainly understands the concern.
“The sun is just relentless,” he said. “Yesterday I tried to pick my speakers up and I couldn’t even; I had to put gloves on because they were so hot. So, it’s gonna take a toll on equipment, all the vehicles and the people. You can’t fight Mother Nature.”
MORE: Extreme heat seeps into July 4th weekend in Philly
The dangerous heat continues to plague the city’s America 250 celebrations.
Other Welcome America events — Thursday’s All-American Block Party and Salute to Service concert on Independence Mall — were also canceled due to the heat. The concert was scheduled to feature the U.S. Army Field Band and Soldiers’ Chorus, along with a headlining performance from Queen Latifah.
Parades and events in neighboring suburban towns have followed suit in canceling their July Fourth festivities. Other events this week were canceled or pushed back.
But, as of now, the main event — the big July Fourth concert on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway Saturday evening — is still on.
An extreme heat warning remains in effect until 8 p.m. on Saturday. Temps will again reach dangerously high triple digits.
Several July Fourth events have been axed as triple-digit temps continue to plague the region
Several July Fourth events have been axed as triple-digit temps continue to plague the region
