As most people know the first week in July is generally devoted to all festivities leading up to July 4th, commemorating the Declaration of Independence, which was signed on July 4, 1776. For those who did not have the rigorous indoctrination into US History as many of my peers and I have had, you may think it's just a time when we break out the fire crackers, sparklers, watch the fireworks and enjoy backyard bar-b-Q's. It's all that and a big bag of chips.
There are those among us African Americans who wonder whether or not we should even be celebrating the 4th of July, given that during the signing of the declaration we were enslaved in the South and indentured servants in the North, and considered 3/5's of a man/woman in the Constitution. This question has been roiling around for at least two centuries - and there are salient points on both sides of the line - neither of which are going to be answered here in this article.
These are some of the events that are taking place, some of which celebrate the Declaration of Independence, and others of which celebrate our resiliency as people of African Heritage - aka African Americans. There's plenty to choose from - so regardless of where you stand on the issue, you can still get out and enjoy being with friends, family and neighbors - after all, isn't that what holidays for?
NEW YORK :
THE AFRICAN STREET FESTIVAL also known as THE INTERNATIONAL AFRICAN ARTS FESTIVAL: July 3 through July 6 at Commodore Barry Park in Brooklyn, NY
The International African Arts Festival began in 1971 as the African Street Carnival, a PTA’s block party fundraiser for an independent school in Bedford Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn with local entertainers, about 20 arts and crafts vendors, along with food prepared by the parents. Almost 2,000 people came to the event and it was a success. The International African Arts Festival (IAAF) has been part of the Brooklyn’s cultural landscape for 40 years. Each year a committed team of Board members, consultants, part-time seasonal staff and volunteers, work together to transform a city park into an outdoor African cultural oasis that celebrates traditional and contemporary expression of various African cultural art forms. Now celebrating their 43rd year, it's bigger and better than ever. Come out, bring the kids; put on your walking shoes and prepare to enjoy yourself.
See you there -
MACY'S ANNUAL FIREWORKS:
July 4, Brooklyn Bridge:
A "Map" of where to watch from Manhattan |
That's right, I said Brooklyn Bridge!!!
This year the fireworks will be on the East River for the first time in five years - which means that those of us who are accustomed to the FDR Drive vantage point, or hanging out at Waterside Towers, and partying with friends, have to come up with a different locale.
Per an article on where to watch which appeared in "Mommy Poppins" newsletter, "Anywhere you have a good view of the Brooklyn Bridge and the sky above it should work. According to Macy's website, here are the official public viewing locations:
Manhattan's FDR Drive between the Manhattan Bridge and Montgomery Street - enter at Montgomery Street or South Streets
The Manhattan entry ramp to the Brooklyn Bridge -
enter from St. James Place/Pearl Street to Wagner Place and you'll find
viewing both north and south of the bridge
Broad Street and Old Slip at Water Street - viewing between the Heliport and the south side of the Brooklyn Bridge
Piers 1 to 6 in Brooklyn Bridge Park - enter at Old Fulton and Furman Streets, Joralemon and Furman Streets, or Atlantic Avenue and Furman Street
The Brooklyn Heights Promenade
- enter at Columbia Heights and Pineapple Street, Montague Street and
Pierrepont Place, or Remsen Street and Montague Terrace (note: Macy's
site says "Pierrepont and Remsen Streets" however that intersection
doesn't exist. We're pretty sure this is what they meant)."
In honor of the 200th anniversary of "The Star Spangled Banner," Macy's will feature a 25-minute musical score with feature patriotic favorites by The DIVA Jazz Orchestra. Plus, new recordings by The Charlie Daniels Band, Tony award-winning artists Idina Menzel and Billy Porter, and choral vocals provided by New York City's own Essential Voices USA. There is also an indication that LIONEL RITCHIE will be a featured artist as well - but the show will primarily be accessible by viewing NBC Online starting at 7:00PM that evening.
And of course we know not to drive - but the A, C,F,2,3,4,5, and R will get you close enough to walk over - you know how we do.
There are some New Jersey venues that are sponsoring boats for the evenings activities, so that you can take advantage of the fireworks from the privacy of the deck. Check your local community events planners to find out who and where they are.
NEW JERSEY
July 4, 2014 Fireworks Displays & Celebrations
State Fair Meadowlands
Friday, June 20 through Sunday, July 6, 2014
102 NJ State Highway 120
East Rutherford NJ
Next to MetLife Stadium
Website
This very popular family event features quality rides, plenty of free entertainment, games and prizes, and a variety foods. There are a variety of activities to interest all ages.
All Tickets Include Free Live Entertainment. Free live shows include: Circus Maximus, Shark Adventure Show, The Big Cat Show, The Steve Bayner Hypnotist Show, Belmont Festival of Magic, Rosaire's Royal Racing Pigs, and the Educational Petting Zoo. Free Live concerts. Fireworks shows take place on the evenings of July 3 & 4th
Friday, June 20 through Sunday, July 6, 2014
102 NJ State Highway 120
East Rutherford NJ
Next to MetLife Stadium
Website
This very popular family event features quality rides, plenty of free entertainment, games and prizes, and a variety foods. There are a variety of activities to interest all ages.
All Tickets Include Free Live Entertainment. Free live shows include: Circus Maximus, Shark Adventure Show, The Big Cat Show, The Steve Bayner Hypnotist Show, Belmont Festival of Magic, Rosaire's Royal Racing Pigs, and the Educational Petting Zoo. Free Live concerts. Fireworks shows take place on the evenings of July 3 & 4th
Jersey City Freedom and Fireworks Festival
July 4, 2014, Fireworks @ dusk
Liberty State Park
1 Audrey Zapp Drive
Jersey City, NJ
(201) 915-3403
With the annual Macy's July 4th Fireworks display moving to the Brooklyn side of Manhattan on the East River, depriving views from New Jersey of the Macy's fireworks, Jersey City has stepped up after an absence of five years to fill the gap.
This year's Freedom and Fireworks Festival features a free concert and an awesome fireworks display. The fireworks at Jersey City will be the largest in Northern Jersey with an expected turnout of more than 100,000 spectators. Come early to get ahead of the crowds and spend the day visiting two of the parks major attractions, the Interpretive Center and the state-of-the-art Liberty Science Center. Don't forget to bring your chairs and blankets and settle in early
Camden Waterfront Freedom Festival
July 3, 4, 5, 6, 2014
Camden Waterfront
Adventure Aquarium: (856) 365-3300
The Battleship New Jersey: (866) 877-6262
Wiggins Waterfront Park: (856) 216.2170
Camden, NJ
Website
This 4 day family event features a celebration of America's Birthday. The fun- filled includes family-friendly activities, live music, concerts, attractions and fireworks. The festival will offer activities at three major Camden venues: The Adventure Aquarium, Battleship New Jersey, and Wiggins Park. The Adventure Aquarium Waterfront Fireworks Celebration will serve as the highlight of the festival on Saturday night, July 5, after the Camden County Freedom Concert.
(Atlantic City NJ)Atlantic City Fireworks
Atlantic City boasts “one of the top five fireworks displays in the country.” Over 250,000 people are expected to flock to various viewing areas along the boardwalk, beach, Steel Pier or casinos. The free fireworks Sky Concert will begin at 9:30pm and feature both patriotic and contemporary music. The cant-miss display is so big that it takes two ocean barges and a marina platform to light up the sky.
PHILADELPHIA:
Let me warn you, right off the bat, in Philly, the 4th of July is celebrated like it's their Christmas - Philly is the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence, the Liberty Bell, the Spirit of 1776 - There is no doubt that they celebrate it in grand style. So be prepared - they started on the 28th, by the time the 4th arrives, it will be wall to wall Philadelphians and tourists all over the place.
By the same token, African Americans in Philadelphia also have their own commemoration of those where enslaved during this time, and ATAC - Avenging The Ancestors Coalition -holds a event at the Slavery Memorial.
There are so many activities going on during this week, this is just a sample of what to expect:
ANNUAL BLACK
INDEPENDENCE DAY*
Avenging The Ancestors Coalition (ATAC) Friday, July 4th at 12:30 at Sixth and Market.
Each year during the July 4th Black Independence Day event, we honor- and avenge- our enslaved ancestors and our activist ancestors. This year, we will do exactly that by addressing the condition of the Slavery Memorial/President's House, by dedicating the event to OBM (Original Black Man/David Devlin),and by amassing support for the 5,000 Bethel Burying Ground ancestors from the 1800s desecrated under a trash dump at a nearby city playground.
Avenging The Ancestors Coalition (ATAC) fought relentlessly for eight years for the creation of a Slavery Memorial to honor- and avenge- our ancestors who were enslaved by President George Washington at America's first "White House," located at Sixth and Market at the site of the new Liberty Bell Center. We won that battle in 2010 with the grand opening of the first Slavery Memorial of its kind on federal property in American history.
By the way, the ancestors are calling for you on July 4th. Will you comply?
SLAVERY IN PHILADELPHIA
"PRESIDENT
GEORGE WASHINGTON ENSLAVED 316 BLACK MEN, WOMEN, & CHILDREN IN VA
& IN 1790 BEGAN TRANSPORTING 9 OF THEM TO AMERICA’S FIRST
“WHITE HOUSE” IN PHILA AT THE CURRENT SITE OF THE NEW LIBERTY
BELL CENTER AT 6TH
&
MARKET. TO COMMEMORATE GEORGE WASHINGTON & THAT “WHITE HOUSE,”
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN 2002 ANNOUNCED PLANS FOR A PRESIDENT’S
HOUSE PROJECT BUT IGNORED THE SLAVERY ISSUE.
HOWEVER,
IN ORDER TO EXPOSE THE SUPPRESSED TRUTH, AVENGING
THE ANCESTORS COALITION (ATAC)
WAS FOUNDED LATER IN 2002 & LED THE SUCCESSFUL BATTLE FOR A
SLAVERY MEMORIAL AS THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE PROJECT. IN 2010, THE GRAND
OPENING OF THIS CULTURALLY HISTORIC SLAVERY MEMORIAL/PRESIDENT’S
HOUSE PROJECT WAS HELD.
FRI.,
7/4, 12:30, 6TH
& MARKET
*CONDITION OF SLAVERY
MEMORIAL/PRESIDENT’S HOUSE
*DEDICATION TO OBM
(ORIGINAL BLACK MAN) DAVID DEVLIN: SUNRISE 4/28/53 -
SUNSET 5/21/14
* SUPPORT FOR 5,000
BETHEL BURYING GROUND ANCESTORS FROM THE 1800s DESECRATED UNDER
TRASH DUMP AT NEARBY
CITY PLAYGROUND" Avenging
The Ancestors Coalition (ATAC) 215-552-8751
Next
Monthly Meeting- Mon., 7/21, 7:00, Zion Baptist Church, Broad &
Venango
Wawa Welcome America Presents Philly At The Movies
In celebration of July 4th, Wawa Welcome America presents three-nights of free movie screenings at public locations across the city.The free alfresco movie nights kick off on Monday, June 30 with a screening of Frozen in Franklin Square which promises carousel rides, free giveaways and mini-golf for youngsters.
The series continues on Tuesday, July 1 with a screening of The Hunger Games in Rittenhouse Square.
The alfresco movie nights close out with a screening of Rocky on the iconic Rocky steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, a well-loved movie night tradition here in the City of Brotherly Love.
All films begin at 9 p.m. and are completely free and open to the public.
Wawa Welcome America: Philly At The Movies
When: Monday, June 30, Tuesday, July 1 and Wednesday, July 2, 9 p.m.
Where: Franklin Square, 200 N. 6th Street, Rittenhouse Square, 18th and Walnut Streets and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, 26th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Cost: Free
More info: www.welcomeamerica.com
Fireworks and Concerts
Philadelphia Orchestra Neighborhood Concert
Date: July 1, 2014
Time: 8 p.m.
Location: Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing, 101 S. Columbus Boulevard | Where to Watch Map – Delaware River Waterfront
The world-renowned Philadelphia Orchestra presents a FREE Neighborhood Concert on the RiverStage at the Great Plaza, followed by a small land side fireworks salute.
POPS On Independence
Date: July 3, 2014Time: 8 p.m.
Location: Independence Hall
Join the Philly POPS!® on Independence Mall for a free, patriotic celebration in honor of America’s birthday. Bring a blanket and lawn chairs for the annual all-American themed concert which includes a performance of the “1812 Overture” and excerpts of the Declaration of Independence read by Thomas Jefferson.
Celebration of Freedom Ceremony
Date: July 4Time: 10-11 a.m.
Location: 6th and Chestnut Streets
Pay tribute to the history of our great nation at Independence Hall with a patriotic and inspiring morning of music, speeches and a reading of excerpts from the Declaration of Independence. This year’s ceremony recognizes the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the 60th anniversary of the Brown v. Board Supreme Court decision.
Independence Day Parade
Date: July 4Time: 11 a.m.
Location: Parade starts at 6th and Chestnut Streets
More than 5,000 participants will take to the streets of Historic Philadelphia for a patriotic and colorful parade featuring marching bands, floats, military members and more.
Let Freedom Ring
Date: July 4Time:1-2 p.m.
Location: Independence National Historical Park
Descendents of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence and Pennsylvania Society’s Sons of the Revolution take part in this special event in the shadow of Independence Hall. The morning celebration concludes with symbolic tapping of the Liberty Bell at 2 p.m.
Party on the Parkway
Date: July 4Time: Noon-7 p.m.
Location: Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Head to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway to celebrate America’s Birthday with a massive celebration featuring live music, family-friendly activities, games, food and more.
Super Scooper All-You-Can-Eat Ice Cream Festival
Dates: July 4-6Time: Noon-5 p.m.
Location: Penn’s Landing
Bring your sweet tooth to Penn’s Landing for the three-day, immensely popular all-you-can-eat ice cream spectacular benefiting the Joshua Kahan Fund for pediatric cancer. A $7 donation is required to join the fun
Philly 4th of July Jam and Grand Finale Fireworks
Date: July 4, 2014
Time: 7-11 p.m.
Location: Benjamin Franklin Parkway | More Details | Where to Watch Map – Parkway
The Roots, Ed Sheeran, Nicki Minaj, Jennifer Hudson and many more will take the stage for the “Largest Free Concert in America” followed by a magnificent fireworks spectacular over the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Want a great view of the show? Check our our interactive map of the top places to watch the fireworks.
Fourth of July Weekend at SugarHouse Casino
Dates: July 4-5Time: Doors open at 6 p.m.
Location: SugarHouse Casino
SugarHouse Casino is kicking-off its Outdoor Summer Concert Series July 4th weekend with two amazing, FREE performances from WAR (July 4) and The Family Stone (July 5). Celebrate with classic hits from the ’60s-70s’ funk bands and enjoy a beach-themed retreat on the Delaware River Waterfront complete with summery snacks and tropical drinks.
visit official website
The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” and Adventure Aquarium Waterfront Fireworks Celebration
Date: July 5, 2014Time: 8 p.m.
Location: Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing | Camden Waterfront
One of the nation’s premier musical organizations, the United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own”, returns for a free, patriotic performance at Penn’s Landing. The concert will be immediately followed by a spectacular fireworks display presented by Adventure Aquarium.
So regardless of how you celebrate the Fourth of July - Backyard Cook Out with family and friends or hanging out with the community at the various venues - Have a great Holiday!
Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson
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