Performers on stilts at the announcement for Wawa Welcome America festival. (Tom MacDonald/WHYY)
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The Wawa Welcome America Festival returns next month with a bang.
The event begins on Juneteenth — Wednesday, June 19 — with a block party at the African American Museum in Philadelphia, and ends with a massive July 4 concert on the parkway.
“Our co-headliners are Ne-Yo and Kesha,” said Michael DelBane of the festival.
Mayor Cherelle Parker speaking at the Wawa Welcome America announcement, May 14, 2024. (Tom MacDonald WHYY)
Mayor Cherelle Parker and DelBane announced details of the plans Tuesday morning at City Hall. Parker said she wants the two dozen events to be “all-inclusive.”
“This is a festival for all Philadelphians so they can see themselves when they look at Wawa Welcome America. I’m excited about all of the rich and diverse programming that will result from this,” she said.
Drag performer Brittany Lynn at the press announcement for Welcome America. (Tom MacDonald/WHYY)
Talia Schlanger once interviewed performers for a living — Sting, Lizzo, Macy Gray and Willie Nelson among them. Now she’s on the other side of the microphone.
After plans for the third Perkasie Porchfest fell through, organizers got in touch with other towns to put together the inaugural BucksMont Bonzeroo music fest on May 11.