Wawa Adds New Elements to Welcome America! Sponsorship

PHILADELPHIA — Wawa Inc. is returning as the title sponsor for Welcome America! for the sixth year and adding new features to this year's Independence Day celebration.

Beginning June 27 and running through July 4, Philadelphia-area residents will be treated to Wawa Welcome America! free family events like concerts, fireworks shows, Wawa Hoagie Day, the Liberty Block Party, Party on the Parkway, and a Massive Beverage & Flag Giveaway.

New this year is free admission to two Philadelphia museums during the festival. Admission to the Franklin Institute will be free from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 29. General admission includes access to three floors of interactive exhibits, explosive science shows, hands-on demonstrations and a show in the Fels Planetarium. Visitors can also stop by the interactive Wawa Dairy exhibit and discover the science behind dairy farming and production. 

In addition, admission to the National Constitution Center will be free from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on July 2 as part of Wawa Hoagie Day. The center's exhibits include "Freedom Rising, The Story of We the People and Signers' Hall," and its newest feature exhibit opening this summer, "Constituting Liberty: From the Declaration to the Bill of Rights." 

A display will feature Wawa's commitment to military, fire and police through photos of past Hoagies for Heroes contests, care package assembly days and annual Hoagie Day events celebrating America's heroes.

Other events during the eight-day Welcome America! festival include:

• Wawa Hoagie Day: Hoagies for Heroes at noon on July 2 at Independence Mall
• Liberty Block Party: Wawa Smoothie Shack (Market & Chestnut streets between 5th & 6th) from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. on July 3
• Independence Day Parade & Party on the Parkway (various locations): Beverage and flag giveaway from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on July 4.

In addition, Wawa is holding a Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Deliciousness sweepstakes through June 7 for a chance to win a trip to the Wawa Welcome America! festivities on July 4. The prize includes travel allowance and a two-night hotel stay, Wawa gift card, plus reserved seating for the concert and fireworks.

Pennsylvania-based Wawa operates more than 690 convenience stores, including 420 offering gasoline, in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and Florida.