Philadelphia Cancels July 3 Semiquincentennial Parade as 100-Degree Heat Sends Floats Down Market Street
Updated
Updated · NBC Philadelphia · Jul 3
Philadelphia Cancels July 3 Semiquincentennial Parade as 100-Degree Heat Sends Floats Down Market Street
3 articles · Updated · NBC Philadelphia · Jul 3
Summary
Overnight organizers scrapped Philadelphia’s Wawa Welcome America Salute to Independence parade after dangerous heat, reversing a Thursday plan to start the event 1 hour earlier.
Market Street still saw the parade’s floats move through Center City Friday morning, but without marchers, bands or other participants.
Noon pop-up performances by visiting groups were shifted across the Historic District, with air conditioning, restrooms and water available at the Independence Visitor Center.
Heat already disrupted other holiday events: Queen Latifah’s Salute to Service concert was canceled Thursday, and SEPTA Regional Rail suffered delays and cancellations as temperatures topped 100 degrees.
Indoor events such as the Liberty Medal ceremony still went ahead Friday, while the July 4 One Philly concert remains scheduled on the Ben Franklin Parkway.