PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Philadelphia continues preparing for its first-ever New Year’s Eve concert and fireworks show, an event that will also kick off the nation’s 250th birthday celebration.
The concert will take place on Wednesday on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway at Eakins Oval.
The lineup includes LL Cool J, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and Willingboro native Adam Blackstone.
“Philadelphia always represents a rich culture of tradition, music, and soul,” Blackstone said. “I’m trying to carry that same mantle and push it forward for this New Year’s Eve event.”
Gates open at 6 p.m., the concert begins at 8 p.m., and fireworks will light up the sky at midnight.
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Officials said security will be a top priority, with multiple agencies, including the Office of Emergency Management, taking part in what they described as an “all-hands-on-deck” approach. Authorities plan to monitor the event using permanent surveillance cameras, mobile camera trailers, and drones throughout the Parkway and surrounding areas.
“Just in the last year alone, the city’s invested more than $2 million in barriers, anti-vehicle barriers for events just like this. It’s part of our multi-layer and multi-ring approach. We’ve invested similarly close to $1 million in various camera technology,” said OEM Director Dominick Mireles.
“It really is great to just be Philadelphia putting on a show for the world,” added Scott Mirkin, President and CEO of ESM Productions.
The event is free and does not require tickets.
Road closures and parking restrictions will start going into effect on Wednesday morning.
The New Year’s Eve concert comes just ahead of the Mummers Parade and additional street festivities in the days that follow.
“We’ll be on location for the Mummers Parade the next day and two other street events,” said Battalion Chief Brandon Wilson of the Philadelphia Fire Department’s Fire Prevention and Code Division. “We’re ready to go.”
During the celebration, Adam Blackstone plans to debut a new song titled “Brotherly Love.”
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