PHILADELPHIA, May 21, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Revelers in town for Sunoco Welcome America!, Philadelphia's annual Independence Day celebration, can enjoy two evenings of free concerts during the festival, which runs from Saturday, June 28 through Sunday, July 6. Five-time Grammy winner John Legend will take the outdoor stage at the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art on Friday, July 4. And the next evening, Saturday, July 5, four-time Grammy winners Boyz II Men will perform at the Great Plaza at Penn's Landing along the Delaware River waterfront. Both concerts will be followed by spectacular fireworks displays.
"Landing John Legend and Boyz II Men for Sunoco Welcome America! is very exciting for us," says Melanie Johnson, City Representative for the City of Philadelphia, responsible for producing the festival. "John is a wonderful stage presence who will keep the many thousands of people who turn out for the July 4 evening concert enthralled. And having our homegrown Boyz II Men return to Philadelphia to celebrate America's birthday in America's birthplace will be a real treat to all their fans here who have grown up listening to their music."
Since bursting onto the scene in 2004 with his inaugural album Get Lifted, John Legend has re-defined R&B with a sound that is smooth, smoky, personal and crowd-pleasing. With his new album, Once Again, the University of Pennsylvania grad delves deeper into topics, emotions and events that touch everyone's lives, and his success is reflected in the scope of his broad fan base. Legend will take the stage following a parade that winds up the Benjamin Franklin Parkway to the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Visitors will want to spend the night so they can be on hand the next day when Boyz II Men perform a family-friendly concert at the Great Plaza at Penn's Landing. Philly's hometown Boyz have sold more than 60 million records, making them the most popular R&B male vocal group ever. Those who show up at Penn's Landing for the entertainment can indulge their taste buds all through the afternoon and during the event at the popular Taste of Philadelphia, a festival of culinary treats from many of the city's great eateries. And following the performance will be another eye-popping fireworks show over the Delaware River.
For more information about these events and for a look at the full nine-day schedule, visit www.americasbirthday.com.
Visitors celebrating America's birthday in its birthplace can take advantage of the Philly Overnight(r) Hotel Package, including a two-night stay, free parking and a Philly's More Fun teddy bear. The package is available at more than 30 hotels and is bookable online at www.gophila.com.
Sunoco Welcome America! is a multi-day festival that celebrates America's birthday in America's birthplace and is produced by Welcome America, Inc.
The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) makes Philadelphia and The Countryside(r) a premier destination through marketing and image building that increases business and promotes the region's vitality. For more information about travel to Philadelphia, visit www.gophila.com or call the Independence Visitor Center, located in Independence National Historical Park, at (800) 537-7676.
Note to Editors: For high-resolution photos of Greater Philadelphia, visit the photo gallery of www.gophila.com/pressroom.
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