FOURTH WATCH: Independence weekend event roundup

Every city in the U.S. celebrates the Fourth of July, but here in Philly - the friggin' birthplace of independence - we're going all out.

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FOURTH WATCH: Independence weekend event roundup

POSTED: Friday, July 1, 2011, 2:00 PM

Filed Under: Events

Every city in the U.S. celebrates the Fourth of July, but here in Philly — the friggin' birthplace of independence — we’re going all out. So you don't get overwhelmed, we've put together a guide to some of the best events taking place throughout the city.

Also celebrating a milestone birthday this year, is the American Civil War. Start your holiday festivities with a visit to the traveling Civil War road show, featuring interactive exhibits and informative displays. Fri.-Mon., July 1-4, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Sixth & Race streets, historicphiladelphia.org/index.php.

Then get an early fireworks fix at Independence Seaport Museum’s Fireworks Spectacular. Before the show starts, enjoy dinner and drinks at the museum. For a cheaper option, skip the grub and head to Penn’s Landing to peep the show at no extra charge. Sat., July 2, 6:30-10 p.m., $50, Penn’s Landing, 211 S. Columbus Boulevard & Walnut Street, seaportfireworks2011.eventbrite.com.

With all the hot dogs and burgers fired up on the grill this weekend, don’t forget to take time out for desert. Philadelphia Chocolate Tours will host a patriotic Red, White and Blue chocolate tour with stops at a variety of local chocolaterias. Leave with your very own stash of chocolate-y goodness. Sat., Sun., July 2-3, 12:45 p.m., $50, 12th and Filbert streets, philadelphiachocolatetours.com.

Low on cash? On July 3, the Philly Pop’s are playing a free concert on Independence Mall. Pack a picnic, claim your spot on the lawn and enjoy the tunes. Sun., July 3, 8 p.m., Independence Mall, welcomeamerica.com.

For some educational fun, try your luck at the National Liberty Museum’s “Liberty Trail,” a path through the museum’s eight exhibition halls where you’ll be faced with trivia questions along the way. Take home a prize for successful completion of the challenge and you might even learn a thing or two in the process. Sat. July 2, 10 a.m-5 p.m.; Sun., July 3, 12 p.m.-6 p.m.; and Mon., July 4, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., $7, 321 Chestnut St., libertymuseum.org.

Don’t miss the annual Independence Day Parade on Monday, where more than 4,000 participants weave through the cobbled streets of Philadelphia’s Old City historic district in celebration of national freedom. Mon., July 4, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., starts at Fifth and Chestnut streets, welcomeamerica.com.

Step away from the action in Old City and trek over to Historic Germantown for a series of events lasting all day, including a make-your-own ice cream workshop to help you beat the heat, and tours of historic Hood cemetery and Cliveden, the site of Philadelphia’s only Revolutionary War battle. Mon., July 4, 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m., various locations, freedomsbackyard.com.

And if you’ve come this far be sure to check out the main event: Wawa Welcome America presents the Grand Finale Fireworks show over the Philadelphia Museum of Art. If you’re looking for a spot to take in the show, try Boathouse Row, Schuylkill River Park or anywhere along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Happy Fourth of July! Mon., July 4, 10:30 p.m., Philadelphia Museum of Art, visitphilly.com.

(clare.foran@citypaper.net)

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Featuring everything from event roundups to concert reviews and sex talk, City Paper's Critical Mass is a space for off-the-wall coverage of Philly's A&E scene.

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