Philly is welcoming Will Smith, Christina Aguilera, The Roots, and more to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway for a special concert in commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary this July.
Per press notes, the spectacle, set for July 4 and spanning nearly seven hours, is poised to go down as the largest-ever free concert in America. Gates will open at 3:00 p.m. local time, followed by a 5:00 p.m. kickoff for the main concert. Then, at 11:45 p.m., attendees will see a slew of fireworks over the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the city skyline.
“Over the years, we’ve had the opportunity to produce some of the biggest live events in the world, and every experience has prepared us for a moment like this,” Scott Mirkin, president of ESM Productions and an executive producer of the event, said in a statement shared with Complex. “To help create a celebration for America’s 250th anniversary — in Philly, where the country’s story began — is an incredible honor.”
Mirkin continued, “Our goal is to deliver a production experience that feels both global in scale and deeply rooted in the spirit of Philly. From the live broadcast to the performances on the Parkway, we’re building something that we hope audiences in the city and around the world will never forget.”
In her own statement, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker echoed this sense of legacy, noting that the event, dubbed One Philly: Unity Concert for America, will mark a “historic homecoming” for a number of Philadelphian stars.
“Our Fourth of July concert is a historic homecoming for many of our city’s brightest stars,” Parker said in a statement to Complex. “By uniting the vision of our mayor’s office and so many other city leaders, the global broadcast and production of Scott Mirkin, and the unmatched musical legacy of The Roots and Live Nation Urban, the One Philly Unity: Concert For America will celebrate the soul of Philadelphia and the spirit of our nation on a truly global scale. There is no place to be other than Philly on July 4th!”
The full lineup for the July 4 celebration also includes DJ Jazzy Jeff, Jill Scott, Seal, State Property, Kathy Sledge, and Infinity Song. Serving as host is comedian Wanda Sykes, with Shawn Gee and Questlove also aboard as executive producers.
