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Locals, Tourists Celebrate America's Birthday At Wawa Welcome America Party On The Parkway

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PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- On America's birthday, there is no better place to celebrate than in the city where the nation was born.

????#WATCH #LIVE: Fireworks Going Off Over Philadelphia Museum of Art HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!! Story Here: https://cbsloc.al/2KK1Cdo

Posted by CBS Philly on Wednesday, July 4, 2018

The 4th of July party is underway Wednesday on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. There are food trucks, vendors, and mini concerts happening throughout the day.

Keeping cool in the midst of a heat wave is a priority this 4th of July near the Philadelphia Art Museum at the annual Wawa Welcome America party.

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"We are giving the Parkway some of our core hydration, and we're just trying to keep people quenched," said Walt Dixon, a vendor at the Welcome America party.

As crews finished setting up many already made their way down to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway to celebrate, Philly style.

The nation's birth place attracts tourist from all over the world, one couple traveled from Germany.

"We landed in Washington, traveled to Philadelphia, tomorrow we are going to New York, but we are happy to be here today, in Philadelphia," said a tourist.

Aside from the fireworks, the headliner at the concert is Pitbull. He's scheduled to hit the stage around 8 p.m. Wednesday.

Another exciting part of the Wawa Welcome America celebration took place this morning in Old City.

The Independence Day Parade kicked off from Independence Hall at 5th and Chestnut Streets around 11 a.m.

The parade included marching bands, floats, and special guests from all across the country.

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