Philly Fourth of July celebration shines through the rain
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Thousands attend the Fourth of July festival on the Parkway. (Bastiaan Slabbers for WHYY)
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Lanaya, 10, Azuri, 3, Kaleem, 5, Kashae, 8, and Adriana, 10, pose for a photo to show off their festive attire. (Bastiaan Slabbers for WHYY)
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Umbrellas go up once the rain comes down during a tribute to Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff celebrating the Sound of Philadelphia. (Bastiaan Slabbers for WHYY)
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Rain and fog obscure the fireworks display at the art museum. (Bastiaan Slabbers for WHYY)
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Khaneefah Goggins and Tyshira Mills are all smiles. (Bastiaan Slabbers for WHYY)
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Megan McHugh and Joe Torok stop for a photo as they enjoy a stroll down the Ben Franklin Parkway. (Bastiaan Slabbers for WHYY)
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Yazz the Greatest greets fans off-stage as he performs during the Wawa Welcome America concert. (Bastiaan Slabbers for WHYY)
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Najee Rose, with Inspired Visions United, entertains a crowd as he jumps over fellow performers on the Parkway. (Bastiaan Slabbers for WHYY)
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Hamilton star Leslie Odom Jr. performs during the Wawa Welcome America 4th of July Celebration on the Parkway. (Bastiaan Slabbers for WHYY)
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Flag waving fans cheer as Yazz the Greatest and Leslie Odom Jr. kick off the Wawa Welcome America 4th of July Concert on the Parkway. (Bastiaan Slabbers for WHYY)
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Paddlers Simon and Jean knight, with guest Susan Burrows, maneuver their canoe over the festival grounds heading to the Schuylkill River. (Bastiaan Slabbers for WHYY)
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Gospel and soul singer Leon Bridges performs at the Wawa Welcome America 4th of July Concert. (Bastiaan Slabbers for WHYY)
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The Intruders perform as one of the acts of the 2016 Wawa Welcome America concert. (Bastiaan Slabbers for WHYY)
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Umbrellas go up once the rain comes down halfway the concert. (Bastiaan Slabbers for WHYY)
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To keep spirits high, people in the crowd start a conga line. (Bastiaan Slabbers for WHYY)
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The crowd reacts with enthusiasm despite the rain. (Bastiaan Slabbers for WHYY)
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The O'Jays lead a jam as other acts join in. (Bastiaan Slabbers for WHYY)
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All seats are empty as the concert is cut short. (Bastiaan Slabbers for WHYY)
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Rain and fog obscures most of the fireworks grande finale. (Bastiaan Slabbers for WHYY)
Thousands filled the Ben Franklin Parkway to celebrate Independence Day despite gray skies and occasional downpours.
The 10-hour Wawa Welcome America Party on the Parkway drew a steady stream of visitors, some of whom stayed for a soggy, fog-shrouded fireworks display.
The entertainment included performances by Leslie Odom Jr., star of the Broadway hit “Hamilton,” and Philly rapper and actor Yazz the Greatest. Soul singer Leon Bridges also took the stage.
The rain began in earnest during a tribute to Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff, the iconic co-creators of the Sound of Philadelphia. The tribute featured the O’Jays, Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes and The Intruders, backed by The Sounds of Philadelphia Orchestra.
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