Economy takes toll on Philly's July 4th bash
Friday, May 15th, 2009
The headliner of this year's 4th of July celebration in Philadelphia will be Sheryl Crow, who will perform a free concert on the Parkway. This year's celebration will be a slimmed-down version from years past. Like other public celebrations this year, the city is not picking up any of the tab.
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Instead of the city, the gas company Sunoco is paying for most of the 10-day celebration, along with other sponsors.
There are noticeably fewer events this year, and city representative Melanie Johnson says organizers found several ways to cut costs.
Johnson says moving the stage a few dozen yards from the steps of the Art Museum to Eakins Oval will save 75,000 dollars, and moving the parade from the Parkway to Independence Mall will save another 125,000 dollars.
Johnson: it's not a 4-hour parade, it's 90 minutes. It's not causing me to have to close all the streets along the Parkway. I can literally close off four blocks. I save a lot of money.
Mayor Nutter says the move from the Parkway to Independence Mall will highlight the city's history, which is what the 4th of July is supposed to be about.
Great idea. Why not have a parade literally at the birthplace of this country. Everyone can walk there from parts of Center City or take the Frankford line. Bravo!