Family-Friendly Atlantic City: Duality and 4th of July

The 4^th of July is tomorrow, and many families are trying to figure out how to spend the holiday. Should we trek up to the mountains? Should we gather with neighbors for a cookout? Should we stay home and relax? There is another option, friends! We’ve got two words for you:

Atlantic. City.

What?!  With my family?!?

YES!

Until recently, we’ve associated Atlantic City, NJ with fun weekend getaways, bachelor parties and casinos. Not anymore! Atlantic City has done some great work to become a family-friendly travel destination, thanks to the Atlantic City Alliance. Now there is fun for everyone in AC!

 Intrigued? Independence Day is the perfect chance to check out all of the Family Fun Atlantic City has to offer.

Aside from the beach, boardwalk and fireworks, Atlantic City Alliance has teamed up with Montreal-based media and entertainment studio, Moment Factory, to debut the breath-taking 3-D Light Show, Duality, directly after the fireworks show on July 4^th around 9:30pm. Moment Factory has worked on similar shows for Celine Dion and Madonna, so we know this will be spectaular!

Duality is an 8-1/2 minute light show that shares the story of Atlantic City’s rich history, which will be projected onto the facade of Boardwalk Hall. Spanning the decades of architecture, recreation, social progress and industrial achievements, Duality will utilize light and sound to amaze audiences. The show will be shown year round, twice an hour (subject to change on seasons and special events).

This is the first light show of it’s kind in Atlantic City, taking 3 months to build with a team of 35 members. How amazing would it be to bring your family and see the inaugural show?!

Here is a sneak preview of Duality (all photos courtesy of Moment Factory):

How did they do that?!? Check out some Duality behind the scenes action:

Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall from Moment Factory on Vimeo.

Start planning your trip today – it’s not too late! There are plenty ofFamily-Friendly activities in Atlantic City, and a vibrant nightlife for the parents to enjoy! For more information on Atantic City, click here.

This post is brought to you with the support of the Atlantic City Alliance. Join the conversation about the new Atlantic City at #HowIDoAC on Twitter. Find them onFacebook and twitter.

Getting Crafty with Nicole ~ Festive 4th of July Lanterns

Remember those paper lanterns you made in grade school?

Well, get out your scissors and glue and revisit your childhood as you help your own children create festive ones for the 4th of July!

How cute would this paper lantern garland look hanging outside above the BBQ area for the upcoming holiday?! So cute & patriotic!

Gather the kiddies and grab your supplies – here are the
quick & easy instructions…

You’ll need:
Glue, Scissors, a Stapler (a mini one works best) & the paper of your choice (I found some adorable, festive scrapbook paper at my local craft store).

Lantern How-To:
Cut your paper to 6 by 9 inches; fold in half lengthwise. Fold edges back 1/2 inch for rims, and crease; unfold. Glue a 1/2-by-9-inch strip of decorative paper on each rim. Cut slits from middle fold to rims, spacing 3/4 inch apart. Shape into lantern: Open paper; bring the ends together to overlap slightly; staple. Staple 3/4-by-8-inch paper handle inside lantern.
Glue on paper stars (made with a craft punch – available at any craft store). Hang the lanterns on ribbon (or twine) strung above the area of your choice for a festive party decoration!

Photos & instruction from Martha Stewart

Wawa Welcome America – 4th of July Jam! (FREE Outdoor Concert)

The Benjamin Franklin Parkway (20th and Eakins Oval) will be a rockin’ on July 4, 2011, as Four-time Grammy award-winning band The Roots headline Philly’s 4th of July Jam, the Grand Finale of Wawa Welcome America.
The band and the Festival musical director ?uestlove will perform their set as well as sets with special guests Earth, Wind and Fire, Michael McDonald, Estelle, Sara Bareilles, DJ Jazzy Jeff and more!

Trivia Fact: Philly’s 4th of July Jam is the nation’s largest free outdoor Fourth of July concert.

Where to Watch the Concert: The best place from which to watch the concert is on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The concert begins at 8:30PM. Giant screens and speakers will broadcast the concert all along the Parkway.

Viewing Tips from visitphilly.com: Arrive early. Bring lawn chairs, a blanket and a picnic. If you get to the Parkway early, you’ll be able to grab a great location for viewing the concert and the fireworks.

Downingtown Good Neighbor Day a July 4th Tradition

The Downingtown Good Neighbor Day Committee’s activities benefit the ambulance and rescue squads within the Downingtown Area School District. Good Neighbor Day is a day long event that starts with the Run for Life (5K, 10K & 15K) and 5K Freedom Walk at 8:00 a.m. Approximately 1,500 athletes participate each year.

Throughout the day you can enjoy fabulous food, visit 80-100 craft exhibitors or simply enjoy one of the many activities scheduled for the day. The day is capped off with a Fireworks Grand Finale that starts at 9:30 p.m.

Schedule of Events

6:00 AM – 7:30 AM Runners Check In and Registration for the 33rd Annual “Run
for Life”
6:00 AM – 7:30 AM Walkers Check In and Registration for the 16th Annual 5K
Freedom Walk
6:00 AM – 9:30 AM Runners Check In and Registration for the 18th Annual
Kids-K Fun Run
6:30 AM to Closing Tom Edwards Productions
7:40 AM Prayer and Flag Ceremony
8:00 AM to 9:30 AM 33rd Annual “Run for Life” (5K, 10K, 15K)
8:00 AM to 9:30 AM 16th Annual 5K Freedom Walk
8:00 AM to Closing Crafts, Vendors and Food Concessions
8:30 AM – 10:00 AM Post Race Refreshments
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM Registration for Big Wheel Race
10:00 AM Race Results, Jack Woodward Memorial & Essay Contest
Awards
10:00 AM Turks Head Exchange Club – US Flag Distribution
10:00 AM 18th Annual Kids-K Fun Run
10:00 AM Ducks for 21st Annual Duck Race Go On Sale
10:00 AM to Closing Carnival Rides, Games and Food by Good Time
Amusements
10:30 AM 1st Annual Bicycle Decorating Contest
10:30 AM Registration for Canoe Races
11:00 AM Big Wheel Race Sponsored by Colebrook Manor Animal
Hospital
11:30 AM Canoe Race Sponsored by the Downingtown Rotary Club
12:30 PM 22nd Annual Duck Race
12:30 PM Brother Bob & Friends Band – Music
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Pennsylvania Surfers – Music
3:30 PM – 4:30 PM Jeff Domenick with Jeff Byrne – Music
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM Emergency Response Helicopter Landing and
Demonstration
5:00 PM to 6:00 PM The Nicole Zell Band – Music
6:30 PM to 8:30 PM The Rivers Rockabilly Trio – Music
8:30 PM Wife Carrying and Watermelon Seed Spitting Contests
8:30 PM – 9:30 PM Tom Edwards Productions Entertainment Show
9:30 PM Fireworks – Grand Finale

Getting Crafty with Sarah..4th of July Freebies – Entire Printable Party Collection!

I know that July is right around the corner and you’ve probably had your plans for a big 4th of July Bash set in stone for weeks…but I have a little something for those of you who are throwing a big party (or attending one)…sorry I didn’t post these sooner -they’ve been done for over a month now…but hey, I’ve been one busy lady {and free is free no matter what, right?}!!

Enjoy…and HAPPY SUMMER!

Fourth of July Party Banner

and to invite everyone to your celebration….

Fourth of July Party Invites

to spruce up those yummy cupcakes…

Fourth of July Part Circles

That’s not all…click on the links below to download and print the rest of the Free 4th of July Printable Party Collection!

Gift Tags & Water Bottle Labels
Sparkler Holders
Napkin Bundles Star Embellishments
Large Party Circles – can be used for cake toppers or festive hanging pieces

I will post pictures soon of how it all looks when it’s printed & put together…but for now – print…cut…create!

**I recommend having these printed at your local professional print shop – such as Staples, Kinko’s, etc. – they tend to make everything look better! And they are very inexpensive (maybe $1.50 per sheet of less)! 🙂

And we got maraschino baker’s twine from The Twinery to string up our banner & bundle our napkins together…we think it’ll make everything look so festive!

HAVE FUN!!

Watch Hollywood Blockbusters and Family Favorites under the stars during Wawa Welcome America celebrates Philly at the Movies.

Watch Hollywood Blockbusters and Family Favorites under the stars during Wawa Welcome America celebrates Philly at the Movies.

Monday, June 27, 2011
“Best in Show”
Piazza at Schmidt’s
9 p.m.
Take your furry friend on a date to the Piazza at Schmidts and enjoy a special screening of “Best in Show.” Pets are welcome, as long as they are on a leash.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011
“Transformers: Dark of the Moon”
Theatre TBA
7 p.m.
Read The Philadelphia Inquirer and Listen to Radio 104.5 the week of 6/20 for your chance to win tickets to the advance screening.
Shia LaBeouf returns as Sam Witwicky in Transformers: Dark of the Moon. When a mysterious event from Earth’s past erupts into the present day it threatens to bring a war to Earth so big that the Transformers alone will not be able to save us. Tickets are not for sale for this event. In theatres on July 1st.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011
“Fame”
The Dell Music Center
9 p.m.
Enjoy the 2009 reinvention of the 1980’s classic performing arts flick “Fame” at the Dell.

Wednesday, June 29, 2011
“Rocky”
Philadelphia Museum of Art
9 p.m.
Adrian! Grab your friends and family and head down to the famous steps where the Rocky legacy was born and watch “Rocky,” the timeless, Philadelphia favorite film. Be on the look out for a “Rocky Balboa”

Thursday, June 30, 2011
“The Devil Wears Prada”
Rittenhouse Square
9 p.m.
Channel your inner fashionista and strut your stuff on over to Rittenhouse Square for a special screening of “The Devil Wears Prada.”

Friday, July 1, 2011
“Hairspray”
Love Park
9 p.m.
Warm up your vocal chords, dust off your dancing shoes and rock out with Tracy and the gang on the Corny Collins Show!

Click here for a complete list of family friendly events during Wawa Welcome America

The Town Dish hosts Picnic in the Park at Valley Forge National Historical Park

Bring your picnic blanket and celebrate our nation’s independence at Valley Forge’s 4th of July Community Picnic in the Park! Enjoy children’s craft activities and a traditional Fourth of July barbecue at the Visitor Center. Hear Founding Father Thomas Jefferson read the Declaration of Independence, following, everyone is invited to sign their John Hancock the Declaration. Living history reenactors will set up camp at the Muhlenberg Brigade huts and demonstrate soldier life and Revolutionary War artillery throughout the day.

Valley Forge National Historical Park
1400 North Outer Line Drive
King of Prussia, PA

Lots More…
• Kids games and historical activities
• Hot dogs and burgers for sale
• Live DJ from Scott Entertainment
• Artillery demonstrations at 12:00pm, 2:00pm, and 3:00pm
• Jefferson’s reading at 12:30pm and 2:30pm

For more information call the Valley Forge Visitor Center, 610-783-1099
This year’s Picnic in the Park is proudly sponsored by The Town Dish, a local network of foodie websites and The Friends of Valley Forge Park,

Wawa Welcome America!: Scenes from the Past

What a fun way to spend the 4th of July!!! Here are scenes from past Wawa Welcome America events. Hope to see you there!!!

Keep up with the latest information by visiting http://www.welcomeamerica.com
or check out the event on Facebook or Twitter

*Disclosure: This is a sponsored post by Wawa Welcome America.

Celebrate the 4th of July in Chester County (Celebration & Firework Display Information)

Please view the Chester County Moms Community Calendar for information on a firework displays or community 4th of July Celebrations in your area. If you know of a community display that has not made the calendar. Please let us know so we can add it. (Click here to contact us)

You can also find information & directions to Firework Displays throughout the county on chestercountyfireworks.com.

Wishing you a Happy & Safe 4th of July!

Wawa Welcome America… Celebrating The 4th of July in Philadelphia

I have shared with you all a few times that I am a pretty big History Geek. I love all things old and historical like. So growing up and living in the Philly Burbs has worked out pretty well for me. SO much History both in the city and in the Burbs.

One of my VERY favorite holidays is July 4th and no other city celebrates “The 4th” quite like Philly. Wawa Welcome America is an 11 day celebration beginning on June 24th continuing throughout July 4th.

There are so many fun things to do from June 24th – July 4th! With everything from outdoor movies to four FREE concerts, three FREE fireworks displays, Ice Cream Festivals, Historic Storytellings, City wide discounts on food, shopping and hotel stays, this will be a Fourth of July you won’t want to miss.

Click here to view the complete calendar of events.
Click here to view hotel deals during Wawa Welcome America