A day-long festival leads into the concert and fireworks; photo by J. Smith

The Party on the Parkway kicks off at noon on Saturday, July 4th, with a day-long roster of food, games, entertainment and activities for the whole family. This year, attractions include:

* Go 4th & Learn Pavilion
* Please Touch Museum
* Philadelphia Zoo - animals and edutainment from America’s first zoo
* Inflatable rides
* NBA dunk challenge
* Sand art
* Face painting
* Mobile children’s theater
* MHP Liberty Strongman Classic
* Sound of Philadelphia Stage
* Afternoon performance by Disney recording artist Joey Page and Ashlee Keating
* Green Zone
* Salsa Dance Contest
* Day-long multicultural performances
* Make-and-take arts and crafts
* Food vendors

The Party goes from Noon to 6 pm.

See a full map of the festival after the jump.

CLICK HERE for more July 4th action.

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The Roots in Love Park; Photo by Dom Savini

This Saturday is the 4th of July, which here in Philadelphia means a free evening concert on the Parkway and a gorgeous display of fireworks over the Philadelphia Museum of Art. This year, Jeffery Gaines will be starting things off, to be followed by headliners Sheryl Crow and The Roots.

The concert begins at 8:30 p.m., but we recommend that you get down there earlier in order to nab a choice patch of grass or pavement (check out this post for our suggestions on the best places from which to see the show). The fireworks will follow the concert (schedules say they’ll start at 10:30 p.m.) so make sure to stick around for them.

Philly 360° presents the second video in their Creative Ambassador series.

Watch as Syreeta Scott of Duafe Holistic Hair Care explains what makes Philly so great, and takes us to a few of her favorite spots.

Philly 360 Presents: Syreeta Scott
http://www.viddler.com/explore/gophiladotcom/videos/97/

You do not want to miss this show; Photo by G. Widman

The Fireworks Display on Saturday July 4 will begin directly after the free concert featuring the Roots and Sheryl Crow finishes. The fireworks take place above the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The Fireworks are estimated to begin around 10:30, but get there by 10 pm just to be safe.

- Along Benjamin Franklin Parkway: Get there early with a few blankets and set up a comfy prime time spot on the baseball fields at 22nd and the Parkway.

- Schuylkill River Park: The part of the park between the JFK Bridge and the Art Museum is a great, lesser-known spot to watch. Note, the area directly behind the Art Museum by the Fairmount Water Works will be closed. As will the restaurant.

- Along Martin Luther King Drive: across the Schuylkill River from Boathouse Row also provides excellent views of the show. (See below.)

- Lemon Hill: get there early.

- Kelly Drive: Several places along the river between Poplar Drive and Brewery Hill Drive/the Girard Ave Bridge afford great views of the display. Also, the Girard Avenue Bridge itself for a view from afar.

The Fireworks seen from Martin Luther King Drive; Photo by R. Kennedy

CLICK HERE for more info about July 4th in Philadelphia.

July 4th in Philadelphia [gophila.com]