Media Credential Instructions for Philadelphia's July 4 Weekend; 2005 Highlights Include Elton John Concert and Independence Mall Events

Media Credential Instructions for Philadelphia's July 4 Weekend; 2005 Highlights Include Elton John Concert and Independence Mall Events

WHAT: City of Philadelphia, Sunoco Welcome America (SWA), the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) and the Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld Fund will issue credentials for the following Independence Day week events, taking place from June 26 through July 4, 2005:

-- Sunoco Philadelphia Freedom Concert and Fireworks at the Philadelphia Museum of Art on July 4. Performers at the concert include Elton John, Patti LaBelle, Rufus Wainwright, Bryan Adams and other musical artists on Monday, July 4th.

-- Annual Independence Day ceremony at Independence Hall and the first City of Brotherly Love Humanitarian Award presentation to Sir Elton John on July 4.

-- All Sunoco Welcome America events (6/26-7/4) including the Sunoco Welcome America! Southwest Airlines Fourth of July Parade on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway on July 4th

-- POPS On Independence Mall, a concert to celebrate freedom and independence with patriotic music by Peter Nero and the Philly Pops on July 3 and special American Flag ceremony.

-- Let Freedom Ring at Independence Hall and Liberty Bell Center with descendants of the signers of the Declaration of Independence on July 4th.

-- Press conferences on July 3 and July 4th with Mayor Street and others TBD.

NOTE: Credentials for the Live 8 concert on July 2 will be handled separately. Logistical information such as lodging, parking, media access area locations and technical details will be posted on http://www.phillyfirstonthefourth.com/ shortly. Please visit the site periodically for updates.

FIRST STEP, ONLINE REGISTRATION: -- To request credentials, members of the media must register online at http://www.phillyfirstonthefourth.com/. Please submit one form for each per person making a request. The deadline for applying for credentials is Monday, June 20

SECOND STEP, CREDENTIAL PICK-UP:

-- July 1-July 4th: Credentials (except Live 8) will be issued at the Free Quaker Meeting House at 5th and Arch Streets in Philadelphia, located across the street from the National Constitution Center on Independence Mall. Credentials can be picked up Friday, July 1 through Sunday, July 3, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Monday, July 4, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Credentials will not be mailed.

-- Tuesday, June 21 - Thursday, June 30: Credentials will be available for pick-up from the Sunoco Welcome America office located at 100 S. Broad Street, suite 300 (on Broad Street between Chestnut and Sansom Streets) from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Credentials will not be mailed.

NOTE:

Our non-transferable credentials must be worn in plain sight at all times in conjunction with your outlet's official media credential. Event staff reserves the right to revoke misused or misrepresented credentials. For security purposes, journalists will not be permitted inside designated media areas or high-security areas without official credentials.

Identification is required. An employer news agency photo ID or official county-approved press credential and driver's license will be required at the time your credentials are picked up. Freelance journalists must provide a letter assigning him or her to cover any or all of the events listed above, written on a news organization's official letterhead and signed by news organization management. Credentials will not be mailed.

High-resolution photographs of Philadelphia's Fourth of July celebration events are available at http://www.gophila.com/pressroom/main/highresphotos/fourthofjuly.htm.

For more information, contact: Cara Schneider, GPTMC (215) 206-2034 (cell), (215) 599-0789

Luz Cardenas, Sunoco Welcome America! (215) 854-4089

Nina Zucker, Sunoco Philadelphia Freedom Concert & Ball (610) 667-0706

Phil Sheridan, National Park Service (215) 597-0060

Philadelphia PRNewswire -- June 7

Source: Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation; City of

Web site: http://www.gophila.com/ http://www.phillyfirstonthefourth.com/

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