It was a patriotic night along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway as people came out to celebrate Independence Day in the birthplace of America.
But this 4th of July coincided with the fourth day of a strike by District Council 33.
4th of July celebrations mark 4th day of city workers' strike
Members picketed outside the gates to the Wawa Welcome America festivities Friday afternoon.
Mayor Parker says the city is still working to iron out a deal.
"We are working extremely hard, doing what we can, Philadelphia, to reach a fair and fiscally responsible contract with our municipal workers," she said.
The strike forced both headliners, LL Cool J and Jazmine Sullivan, to drop out. Instead, JoJo and Alvaro Diaz performed before fireworks lit up the sky.
Elizabeth Pascal, who visited Philadelphia from Queens, NY, responded to Sullivan bowing out of the concert.
"She really sings from the heart and from the soul. And LL Cool J has the swag to get the ladies going, and he's not going to be here," Pascal said. "I'm pretty bummed about it, but he's standing for a cause."
As the holiday wrapped up, the focus shifted to clean up along the Parkway. With so many city workers on strike, some residents said they're worried.
Darrell Nelson-Cole, of Germantown, told Action News, "I was thinking about how are they going to clean up after this? It's a major thing. So really, the city needs to sort it out."
It's still unclear when negotiations will resume with the city and DC 33.
