Visitors brave Philadelphia's blistering heat for historic district celebrations despite parade cancellation
While the dangerous heat in Philadelphia forced the cancellation of the semiquincentennial parade, it did little to deter tourists and locals from celebrating America's independence in the city's historic core.
On Friday, as temperatures soared into the 90s under a brutal sun, the area around the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall and The President's House remained packed with visitors — many clutching umbrellas for shade, others already sporting their red, white and blue a day early.
Among them was Julian Plotnick, 32, a Philadelphia local juggling near Independence Hall in a full July 4 outfit. For him, the occasion was a "once in a lifetime opportunity."
Ohio resident Kathy Hecht recalled visiting Philadelphia with her brother for the bicentennial in 1976. This time she returned with her family — including granddaughters Harriet and Cora Leva from Baltimore — to mark the 250th anniversary. The parade might have been canceled at the last minute over heat concerns, but the family was determined to make the most of the trip.
Despite the official cancellation, pieces of the parade still emerged organically. Several acts originally scheduled to perform in the parade received city clearance to perform in the area anyway. The MMU Alumni Band from Pennsylvania and the Ballet Folkloricos Mosaicos from Indiana, representing Mexico, took to the streets. The Massachusetts Army of 1775 Spirit of America band also marched through the square in traditional colonial attire.
As of Friday evening, the 8 p.m. Pops on Independence concert — headlined by Broadway star Idina Menzel — was still scheduled to go on as planned, along with the July 4 One Philly Unity Concert for America on the Parkway.
Kaitlyn McCormick is a Philadelphia-based reporter covering trending, breaking and city news for USA TODAY's Philadelphia Metro Connect Team.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Crowds visit Philadelphia's Historic District despite sweltering heat