Independence Day Ceremony – The annual Independence Day Ceremony on July 4th is one of the nation’s premier events celebrating the birth of our nation. The City of Philadelphia hosts a patriotic salute featuring Mayor Michael A. Nutter, as the nation’s birthplace rolls out the red white and blue carpet to visitors across the country and worldwide. As the perfect historic setting, the City of Brotherly Love welcomes the nation for a day to behold. Independence Hall is the site of the Declaration of Independence, which was signed in 1776. The ceremony is televised, free and open to the public.

The Independence Day Ceremony is the formal program, which begins Sunoco Welcome America Festival’s July Fourth festivities. It is an official old-fashioned American tribute to the history and principles of freedom of the nation and its birthplace. Military flyovers and a presentation of the Declaration of Independence traditionally are all part of the patriotic pageantry, which ushers in a fun-filled day during the finale of the annual Sunoco Welcome America! Festival on the Fourth. The event has attracted worldwide attention and showcased world figures in politics and entertainment, from Polish Solidarity founder and President of Poland, Lech Walesa, to singing legends Elton John and Ray Charles.

Sunoco Welcome America! - This extravaganza is one of the nation’s largest summer outdoor festivals focusing on patriotic events including a spectacular celebration of parades, fireworks shows, street festivals, concerts from all musical genres and the Independence Day Ceremony all set in the birthplace of independence.  The festival was established as the Freedom Festival in 180s and was a major component of the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the adoption of the U.S. Constitution. It has grown over the years and expanded by the city in 1993, as part of the promotion of a new Pennsylvania Convention Center.

Some past highlights include the 2001 Sunoco Welcome America! ceremony in which Norman Lear’s production of the Reading of the Declaration of Independence was televised nationally to more than seven million viewers, as a host of Hollywood stars recited from the famous document. The festival drew an estimated three million spectators in 2007.

The Philadelphia Marathon – The annual race will take place November 23, 2008. The running event has grown every year and is preceded by a Health and Fitness Expo and the Verizon Kids’ Fun Run at Eakins Oval and a Runners’ Pasta Dinner at a Center City hotel. The event features 16,000 runners participating in the Marathon, Half Marathon and Rothman Institute 8K. The competition has attracted runners, from Kentucky to Kenya. Known as a top Boston qualifier, the race attracts casual to world-class Olympic-caliber athletes and boasts one of the fastest courses in the country.
 
The furiously fast, flat and historic course (highest elevation  is 100 feet) takes you along wonderful waterways -- from the Schuylkill to Delaware rivers -- and through the historic streets of Center City, Fairmount Park, Manayunk and the most historic square mile in America in the nation’s birthplace. Runners and spectators are part of an unique  experience in a world-class city on scenic terrain that comes alive with fan-friendly  “Cheer Zones” filled with the energy of  thousands of well-wishers to spur runners on to victory.

The City Hall Tree Lighting Spectacular – This official kick-off to the holidays in Philadelphia features the ceremonial lighting of the City Hall holiday tree. The family event, which takes place after the Thanksgiving Day holiday, attracts Philadelphia residents and visitors for a traditional festive ceremony featuring entertainment and the lighting of the holiday tree at City Hall by Mayor Michael A. Nutter.  A huge spruce tree donated by a Philadelphia resident is spotlighted.

Campus Philly Kick-Off - Established by the Office of the City Representative, the annual Campus Philly Kick-Off is sponsored by the City of Philadelphia and connects college students to activities in the Philadelphia community. Campus Philly Kick-Off is the City of Philadelphia’s official student orientation and retention event. One of the nation’s top college destinations, the Philadelphia region is home to more than 80 higher learning institutions and 300,000 students.
   
The welcome-back-to-school event, held each fall, was launched as a one-day concert in 1999 at the Mann Center for Performing Arts, and later moved to its current location on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, attracting nearly 20,000 young people. The festivities include free admission to cultural institutions and live concerts.

Mayor’s Centenarian Celebration - Established in 2001 through the Office of the City Representative, the City has honored our elite senior population, our Centenarians -- residents who are at least 100 years old – since 2001. It is a local tribute and part of the annual “Older Adult Americans Month” tribute nationwide in May. Philadelphia is home to more than 400 centenarians and is one of the few municipalities in the nation to celebrate the longevity and contributions of centenarians at a special celebration. It is one of the city’s most popular annual events.

Other Special Events - The Office of the City Representative continues to facilitate annual special events, festivals, and parades produced by partnering organizations including: One Book, One Philadelphia; Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival; the 6ABC/Boscov’s Thanksgiving Day Parade; PAL Day at City Hall; the Police and Fire Memorial; the Subaru Greater Philadelphia Cherry Blossom Festival, Philadelphia Mummers Parade and a myriad of ethnic parades and festivals. The Office of the City Representative has participated in the coordination of  Philadelphia 2000, the host city organization which planned and promoted the National Republican Convention in Philadelphia, the ESPN X Games in 2001 and 2002 and LIVE 8 on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in 2005.

New Events - Through the Office of the City Representative and partners citywide, the mayor is   introducing new special events in 2008 including a year-round campaign to educate residents on how to beautify their homes communities by planting gardens and working to make recycling a neighborhood effort.