April 21, 2017
Singer Mary J. Blige will be the top billing at Philadelphia's annual free concert on the Fourth of July this year.
Organizers said Friday morning Blige, a nine-time Grammy award-winner, will headline the 2017 Wawa Welcome America event on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The concert is scheduled for a new start time this year of 7 p.m.
Philly natives Boyz II Men will be honored at a ceremony at Independence Hall at 10 a.m. before the concert.
Other artists performing this year, per Wawa Welcome America:
• The Philly Pops
• KIDZ BOP (Author's note: ??? But also: !!!)
• Tony Award-winning singer Mandy Gonzalez, who has appeared in the hit musicals "Hamilton" and "Wicked"
• Jazz singer Tony DeSare
“Each of these artists are history makers in their own right,” said Mayor Jim Kenney in a press release. “We are thrilled to welcome them back to Philadelphia and to be able to host a free concert that all Philadelphians can enjoy.”
This year's concert will mark the 25th anniversary of the event, and will be broadcast on NBC10, and in Spanish on Telemundo62.
