The Lawncrest Community Day and Fireworks Celebration took place on July 5 at Lawncrest Recreation Center, continuing a tradition that started more than 100 years ago.
The celebration included a car show, moonbounces, food trucks and a DJ during the day, followed by fireworks at night.
City elections commissioner Lisa Deeley sang the national anthem. City Controller Christy Brady led the crowd in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Others in attendance included City Councilman Anthony Phillips, state Rep. Anthony Bellmon and Capt. Andrew DiSanto, commander of the 2nd Police District.
Mayor Cherelle Parker was scheduled to attend, but in her place sent Willie Singletary, Senior Project Manager in the Mayor’s Office of Constituency Engagement. Singletary asked for a moment of silence for former state Sen. Shirley Kitchen, and he led everyone in Parker’s tradition of asking people to put one finger in the air and reciting, “One Philly, A United City. One America, a United Nation.”
The event was organized by volunteers, led by Heather Miller, vice president of the Lawncrest Community Association and Democratic leader of the 35th Ward.
Miller said next year’s celebration will be expanded, when renovations to Lawncrest Recreation Center are completed, including the opening of a sprayground and $4 million to improve the swimming pool. ••
