Northeast Philly celebrated the nation’s 250th anniversary in style on Saturday night during the eighth annual FreedomFest at Pleasant Hill Park.
The free, family-friendly event, produced by One River Alliance and State Street Events, began with an American flag-raising ceremony at the park’s newly installed flagpole. City Councilman Mike Driscoll presented the flag, as a bio was read of his dad, Joe, a U.S. Army veteran of World War II who died in December at age 101.
“Dad, we haven’t forgotten you tonight,” his son said.
Bob Cummings, of William D. Oxley American Legion Post 133, offered a prayer and read the poem I am the Flag by Howard Schnauber, a Marine who served in the South Pacific during World War II.
Tara Gontek, president of the 15th Police District Advisory Council and Holmesburg Civic Association, sang the national anthem.
Dana Russikoff, of One River Alliance, presented the inaugural Alliance Award to Tom Forkin, who was instrumental in bringing together the stakeholders needed for the first celebration in 2019 when he worked for the city Department of Parks and Recreation.
Offering congratulations to Forkin were Driscoll, state Rep. Pat Gallagher, state Sen. Joe Picozzi, City Controller Christy Brady and elections commissioner Lisa Deeley, who led the crowd in singing Party in the USA.
The event also featured live music by Philly Heart & Soul, a 40-foot Ferris wheel, moonbounces, beer gardens, dozens of local food trucks, artisan vendors, activities for all ages and a fireworks display by Pyrotecnico, launched from a barge in the center of the Delaware River.
As the fireworks were winding down, everyone was ordered to evacuate due to heavy winds, lightning and the pending rainstorm. ••
