Thousands gather on Parkway for fireworks

Philadelphia residents and visitors packed the Benjamin Franklin Parkway Tuesday night for the city's annual Independence Day bash.

The fourth of July celebration was part of an eight day party called "Welcome America" that featured fireworks on three separate occasions.

Although there were tens of thousands of people gathered for the show, Philadelphia police said that no major problems were reported.

Before the fireworks, the crowd was treated to a concert by Peter Nero and the Philadelphia Pops, 2004 American Idol winner Fantasia Barrino, and rhythm and blues legend Lionel Richie.

Cirque du Soleil performers also gave a preview of their show Quidam which begins in Philadelphia today.

Before the concerts, over 100 groups, including members of the Mummers string bands, marched down the Parkway during the July 4th parade.

Events occurring earlier in the week included a series of outdoor movie screenings of films such as Rocky, concerts at Love Park and A Taste of Philadelphia -- an event where a sampling of food from some of the best city restaurants was available.

Many Penn students made the short trek over the river to join in on the celebration.

College sophomore Josh Stanfield, who had never attended the Philadelphia Fourth of July celebration before, said that it was the best one that he had ever been to.

"The fireworks were cool," Stanfield said. "The museum looked pretty sweet with the lights."

Stanfield was less impressed with the concert though.

"If you like Lionel Richie I guess the concert was good," he said. "I think he's kind of lame."

College senior Scott Knackmuhs, who was also at the event for the first time, said that Lionel Richie gave a good performance, but he would have preferred last year's singer, Elton John.

Knackmuhs enjoyed the show overall and said it was much different than the smaller towns that he had been to in past years.

"I thought the fireworks display was very good but given all the trees on the parkway it might not have been the best place," he said.

But he added, "I like the way they used the actual art museum building."

Although it started raining around the time the fireworks began, and some people sought cover under the trees, most stayed to watch the show.

"I didn't really care at all," Knackmuhs said. "It was better in some ways because some people moved away."

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