The Owlery

Poetry workshop with Leonard Gontarek

Students can work with Philadelphia poet, Leonard Gontarek, to better learn a “sense of place” within poetry. The workshop is focused on developing a rich, textural voice, and is suitable for poets of all levels. More information can be found at: http://www.madpoetssociety.com/events/.
When: July 1, 8, 15, 22 at 6:00 p.m.
Where: Walnut Street West Library, 40th and Walnut Streets
Cost: Free, but must register at gontarek9@earthlink.com

“Projections” by Keith Sharp

In this new body of work opening this First Friday, July 3, artist Keith Sharp returns to nature. “Sharp used photographs of natural scenes, a digital projector, and a laptop to project natural images onto the sides of houses at night or onto himself that he then extracted and in which he placed the figure back into the natural scene being projected.” More information is available at http://www.3rdstreetgallery.com/exhibitions/2015/projections. 
When: Friday, July 3 at 5 p.m.
Where: 3rd Street Gallery, 45 N. 2nd Street
Cost: Free

Wawa Hoagie Day

As part of the Wawa-sponored event, Wawa Welcomes America, visitors to the Independence Mall will receive free lunch. This special event is part of Wawa’s salute to to the military and first responders throughout the nation. More information is available at: http://www.visitphilly.com/events/philadelphia/wawa-hoagie-day/
When: Thursday, July 2 at noon to 1:30 p.m.
Where: Independence Visitor Center, 599 Market Street
Cost: Free

Independence Day Parade

(photo by G. Widman for Visit Philadelphia)
This well-known parade kicks off Philadelphia’s July 4th festivities with a nod to the city’s historic past. With more than 6,000 participants beginning at Independence Hall, the parade continues down some of Philadelphia’s oldest streets with “floats, marching bands and antique cars” in tow. More information is available at http://www.visitphilly.com/events/philadelphia/independence-day-parade-july-4th-in-philadelphia/.
When: Saturday, July 4 at 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Where: Starts at 5th and Chestnut Streets
Cost: Free

Party on the Parkway

(photo by G. Widman for Visit Philadelphia)
One of the largest free concerts in the country celebrates in America’s birthplace on Benjamin Franklin Parkway with “food, fun and entertainment all day long.” The daytime celebration includes food and refreshments from vendors and food trucks, as well as “interactive fun.” The festivities lead up to the grand finale of fireworks and a special performance from local favorite, The Roots. More information can be found at http://www.visitphilly.com/events/philadelphia/july-4th-festival-concert-and-fireworks/.
When: Saturday, July 4, noon to 11 p.m.
Where: Benjamin Franklin Parkway, from 20th Street to Eakins Oval
Cost: Free