Happy Independence Day!

by KYW's Jim Melwert
Happy 233rd birthday to the US!

July Fourth celebrations kicked off with a ceremony in front of Independence Mall. Mayor Michael Nutter spoke as part of the celebrations outside of Independence Hall:

"Philadelphia has the number one Fourth of July celebration anywhere in the United States of America. There's only one Independence Hall and it's right here."

Longtime Philadelphia resident Paris Pierce took in the ceremony with his wife and daughters and says Independence Mall is a special place to be on July Fourth:

"It's a shame being around the corner you don't get to see a lot of the history so coming out here and experiencing it sort of stepping back in time is a lot of fun."

Saturday's events officially got underway with a patriotic celebration in front of Independence Hall which included a planned military flyover, music, and historical re-enactments.

That was followed by the Independence Day parade at 11am. The parade route is back in Old City for the first time in 18 years, with a starting point at 5th and Chestnut, and a route that goes West to 7th street, North to Market, and then East down to Penn's Landing.

After the parade, people check can out Penn's Landing where a $5 donation to charity will get you all-the-ice-cream-you-can-eat. That runs from noon to 5pm.

At 1:30pm, descendants from the original signers of the Declaration of Independence ceremonially tap the liberty bell.

And of course, the highlight of the day, the party on the Parkway. A free concert from Sheryl Crow starting at 8pm, followed by the big fireworks show over the Art Museum.

Events on the Parkway, begin at noon, featuring face painting, food and games for the family.

And if for anyone making the trek in from the suburbs, Septa is adding extra "late" trains on the regional rails to help everyone get home after the fireworks. Click here for link to their schedule.