It’s time to wish Franklin Square a happy birthday.<\/p>\n
Historic Philadelphia, Inc<\/a>. is marking the 20th anniversary of Franklin Square with a celebration set for this Saturday, July 25. From 10 a.m. to noon, the family-friendly event will feature birthday crafts, temporary tattoos, music, games, giant bubbles, fitness activities with YoYo, and a Chinese Lantern Festival<\/a> scavenger hunt.<\/p>\n The fun kicks off at 10:30 a.m. with Benjamin Franklin leading a birthday sing-along with complimentary treats, and will conclude with the Franklin Square Fountain Show at noon. In celebration of National Carousel Day, rides on the Parx Liberty Carousel will also be buy one, get one free until 5 p.m.<\/p>\n The milestone celebrates two decades of Franklin Square’s transformation. As a release notes, once a neglected public space with a nonfunctioning fountain, deteriorating playground, and safety concerns, the park has been revitalized into a popular meeting place and annually includes year-round community events like the Philadelphia Chinese Lantern Festival<\/a>.<\/p>\n Speaking of the festival, families will get a sneak peek at the extravaganza through the scavenger hunt this weekend, but there\u2019s also still plenty of time to check out the creations at night with tickets available until the Fest\u2019s closure (Aug. 16).<\/p>\n All of the lanterns featured in this year\u2019s festival are newly designed, and in total, the venue will feature more than 1,100 individual creations across almost 40 immersive displays. This year\u2019s festival also celebrates the city\u2019s global audience this summer, with unique lanterns honoring historic landmarks and major events, including Independence Hall, Philly Summer Soccer, and the Tunnel of Champions.<\/p>\n Later this summer, the city’s 52 Weeks of Firsts<\/a> will additionally host its First Selfie Firstival at the Square on Aug. 22. The celebration will honor Philadelphia innovator Robert Cornelius, who captured the world\u2019s first selfie in 1839 using a homemade camera in his own backyard. The celebration starts off with an opening ceremony at 11 a.m., followed by storytelling from Once Upon A Nation, family-friendly activities, live entertainment, and more. Guests can snap their own selfies at themed stations and alongside the \u201c#1\u201d sculpture by Alana Bograd, created with Mural Arts Philadelphia for the occasion.<\/p>\n To learn more information on Franklin Square, visit historicphiladelphia.org<\/a><\/p>\n