"By the time I conclude my remarks, the Fourth of July celebration will have started, given the length of this news conference," Nutter joked.
The list of events includes the Taste of Philadelphia, Go 4th and Learn, the Independence Day bell-tapping ceremony at the Liberty Bell, and Wawa Hoagie Day on June 30, which will have a 11/4-mile-long hoagie that will stretch around the apron of the Art Museum. Half of the hoagie will go to Philabundance, and the rest will be for the public to eat at 7:30 p.m. after Rocky is screened.
Fireworks shows will take place June 26 and July 3 at Penn's Landing and July 4 on the Parkway.
"We're going to have one really big bang-up party," Nutter said.
This year also has the first contest for fireworks spectators. The June 26 fireworks will be choreographed with a soundtrack called "Heat." Spectators may keep count of the words fire, hot, burn, or burning in the music for a chance to win four tickets to the Goo Goo Dolls and a Wawa gift card.
"This year, we're going to prove once and for all that Philadelphia is the only place to celebrate the Fourth of July," Johnson said.
Contact staff writer Vanessa Martinez at 215-854-2917 or vmartinez@phillynews.com.
