THE WOMEN’S LIBERTY BELL — and Philadelphia’s Centennial of Women’s Voting Rights
The Justice Bell is the two-ton, 105-year-old sibling of the Liberty Bell that suffragists carted around the country with its clapper tied for five years — until 1920, when women got the right to vote. One hundred years later, the bell will ring again on August 26 in Philadelphia in the nation’s largest multiday suffrage commemoration. The months-long celebration of the 19th Amendment’s centennial includes concerts, historical and artistic exhibitions, festivals, conferences and an epic road rally from Philly to Seneca Falls, NY. It’s all part of the year Philadelphia is officially calling itself the “City of Sisterly Love.” For more info on the Justice Bell, including its home in Valley Forge National Historical Park, contact us.
PROFILE: JOAN MYERS BROWN — and the 50th Anniversary of PHILADANCO
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Philadelphia Dance Company, PHILADANCO, an historically African American troupe that’s still run by its 88-year-old founder. Presidential Medal of Honor recipient Joan Myers Brown founded PHILADANCO in 1970 to give Black dancers the opportunity to stay and dance Philly. April 17–19, the company will perform Fast Forward, an original co-commission with Toronto’s Dance Immersion, Vietnam’s Thang Dao, Broadway’s Ray Mercer and choreographer Kathy Smith at Philadelphia’s Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.
JAMES BEARD FOUNDATION & VISIT PHILADELLPHIA FORM CULINARY TOURISM PARTNERSHIP
Two pioneering nonprofits are joining forces in a new collaboration to promote delicious, diverse and sustainable dining in Philadelphia. Embracing the James Beard Foundation’s mission of Good Food for Good™, VISIT PHILADELPHIA will present four dinners by Philadelphia chefs at the Beard House in New York City, the 2020 award nominations announcement at the Barnes Foundation on March 25, a pop-up dinner at Spice Finch as part of Taste of America® on April 14, and a week of culinary events in Philadelphia, James Beard’s brand-new Restaurant Collective, beginning August 8.
EXHIBITS & FESTIVALS, April through July:
Odunde, the East Coast's largest African American street fair, a yearly tradition on West South Street — Photo by A. Ricketts for Visit Philadelphia
- April 4–5, 2020, Sakura Weekend: The Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival (through April 12) kicks off with a major celebration of both Japanese culture and spring centered around historic and beautiful Shofuso Japanese House and Garden and cherry blossoms — sakura — in West Fairmount Park. (Note: Shofuso would make a lovely backdrop for Summer Olympics coverage.)
- April 27, 2020, El Carnaval de Puebla: Families and friends represent the Mexican state in a colorful parade and fair in South Philadelphia.
- June 14, 2020, Odunde Festival: The East Coast’s largest African American street festival celebrates its 45th by bringing a mighty cultural and community extravaganza to South Street.
- June 27–July 4, 2020, Wawa Welcome America: America’s birthplace throws the country’s ultimate birthday party.
VISIT PHILADELPHIA® is our name and our mission. As the region’s official tourism marketing agency, we build Greater Philadelphia’s image, drive visitation and boost the economy.
On Greater Philadelphia’s official visitor website and blog, visitphilly.com and uwishunu.com, visitors can explore things to do, upcoming events, themed itineraries and hotel packages. Compelling photography and videos, interactive maps and detailed visitor information make the sites effective trip-planning tools. Along with Visit Philly social media channels, the online platforms communicate directly with consumers. Travelers can also call and stop into the Independence Visitor Center for additional information and tickets.
