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The Roots To Headline 2012 Wawa Welcome America Celebration

By Mark Abrams

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The city of Philadelphia announced the entertainment line-up for the Wawa Welcome America celebration, marking America's birthday.

Philadelphia's own The Roots will be back at the big stage on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway on July 4th.

But, Mayor Michael Nutter says there's more: "Philly-area native and Temple University graduate Darryl Hall coming back to the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection, as well as hip-hop star, artist, singer Queen Latifah, hip-hop artist, actor and poet, Common, and pop-sensation Joe Jonas."

And, the mayor says, make no mistake about it, "Philly is the No. 1 city for the 4th. There really is nowhere else to celebrate the Fourth of July other than the City of Philadelphia, so let's be very clear about that."

Wawa president and chief executive officer Howard Stoeckel also brought his own surprise announcement about Wawa's sponsorship of the Welcome America events: "We will extend the relationship for another three years beyond 2012."

Wawa Welcome America begins June 29 and runs for 10 days capped by the concert and fireworks on the parkway on July 4.

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