Organizers Announce Welcome America! Concert Details
by Melony Roy
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- City officials and organizers of Wawa Welcome America! gathered at the Visitor's Center to announce details for this year's July 4th celebration, including the musical lineup.
We finally know who will be taking the stage during the party on the parkway.
READ: More Fireworks, New Concerts Highlight Philly's Welcome America! Festival
Through a new partnership with Live Nation, the eight-day festival will end with a five-hour concert.
Geoff Gordon from Live Nation says one of the main goals this year was to have something for everyone.
"Performing that day will be Yazz the Greatest from Philadelphia, we're very excited to have the O'Jays, Harold Melvin's Blue Notes, and The Intruders with the Urban Guerilla Orchestra be part of the Sounds of Philadelphia," said Gordon.
Leslie Odom Jr. from the Broadway hit "Hamilton" will host and perform. He is from West Philly, and all of the acts have a Philly connection because the theme this year is the Sound of Philadelphia.
READ: Christina Perri Leads Local Lineup For July 4 Concert On The Parkway
"We started the main show earlier at 5 o'clock because it is the sounds of Philadelphia. We have so many great artists and entertainers who want to be on the big stage including a salute to Gamble and Huff," said Jeff Guaracino, president and CEO of Welcome America Inc.
He also promises the fireworks will be bigger than before, plus they will start an hour earlier at 10 pm.
"We heard from everyone that they wanted fireworks to go off earlier," said Guaracino. "It's also for the next few years a work night, but it also helps save the city $40,000 in city service costs by not going into an expensive second shift"
They also teased another Grammy winning performer with Philly roots, but we're going to have wait until next month to find out who!
For updates, you can follow Wawa Welcome America on Twitter @July4thPhilly and the official hashtag for the event is #JULY4THPHILLY.
