Chestnut Hill, Germantown or Downtown this 4th of July?

Whether you choose to stick to the NW or head downtown, there are tons of ways to put on those stars and stripes in Philly over the next week. Here are our top picks:

 

Sticking close to home:

 

It’s all fun & games at the Chestnut Hill 4th of July Celebration!

This year marks the 96th annual Fourth of July parade and Celebration in Chestnut Hill. People gather at the intersection of Devon Street and Hartwell Lane for a recitation and flag raising at 9:00 a.m., followed by the beloved bike parade down Hartwell Lane to the Water Tower Center (a nice short route for the littlest ones). Contestants are encouraged to arrive in costumes and on floats, decorated bicycles, tricycles and wagons. Numerous prizes are awarded to the best decorations in a number of categories. I have to say, my kids were VERY impressed by the cash prizes last year! There are divisions for trikes, bikes, and floats, with multiple winners in each… so head to the dollar store and deck out those bikes! Following the parade, the Water Tower’s ball fields are filled with games and contests for kids (with more cash prizes!). Also look for pony rides, face painting, a giant moon bounce and a magician. FREE lunch (hot dogs, lemonade & ice cream) is served from 11-12:30. Generously sponsored by the Chestnut Hill Bocce Club and free to all! This is a wonderful community tradition.

 

 

Ring In Freedom and Independence this July 4th in Historic Germantown

Spend your day touring five sites that were actually here in 1776! Come together for a day of activities in celebration and remembrance of our nation’s independence. 11AM- 4PM:

 

11am: Tour historic Hood Cemetary: Formerly the Lower Burying Ground, this cemetery was founded in 1692 and is the resting place of 41 Revolutionary War soldiers. The site is located at 4901 Germantown Avenue and will host tours at 11:30 and 12:30PM.

11:30-1:30: Visit Stenton (4601 N. a8th St.) Visit with Nejamin Franklin, eat hot dogs and make your own ice cream, play colonial games and enjoy music from the Run of the Mill String Band.

12-4pm: Head to Cliveden to tour the Revolutionary War Battleground site and see their new exhibition, “Life, Liberty, and the Purshuit of Happiness?”.

At 2PM, the Concord School & Upper Burying Ground will host their annual Bell Ringing Ceremony. The tradition of ringing the bell once for each year since 1776 began in the 18th century! The Concord School & Upper Burying Ground is located at 6309 Germantown Avenue and will be open for tours at 12:30 and 2:30. (Both sites are really fun for kids to visit… sitting in a Colonial era school house is a great way to help kids make connections back to history).

2:30 Pm: Conclude your day’s activities at the Johnson House Historic Site, located at 6306 Germantown Avenue. See a performance by ‘Oney Judge’ and tour this surviving Underground Railroad Station. Tours will be available from 12 – 4 PM.

All events are FREE and open to the public.

 

Fireworks a hop, skip & jump away… right in Conshohocken!

The fireworks downtown are spectacular, but they’re spectacularly crowded and late for many little ones (Although I have fond memories of taking the train back with my 2 year old singing at the top of her lungs at 1am, I’m not sure the rest of the train felt the same way). Check out the family-friendly light show in Conshy in Sutcliffe Park, 10th Avenue and Freedly Sts. on Tuesday July 3! Lots of family activities starting at 5pm. Fireworks at 9:30 pm

 

Orrrrr… head downtown for the Welcome America festivities!

There’s a reason why you decided to live in the city, right? Why not actually take advantage of the proximity and head downtown for an event, for a day, or for the off-the-hook concert and fireworks? Here’s a link to the complete listing… inlcuding scads of amazingly fun things for kids and their grown-ups: like ice cream tastings, multiple concerts, historical events, painting a mural for THE ROOTS, a parade, and party on the parkway… way too much fun for one city!

 

Speaking of the 4th…. where’s your favorite place to view fireworks?

 

Northwest Philly Parents is a partnership between Newsworks and Germantown Avenue Parents.