STORY:
Philadelphia Planning 24 Events In 24 Hours

Non-traditional events highlight citywide celebration

At 2pm, the mayor of Philadelphia and his wife who is a federal judge will officiate as 1,000 couples exchange vows at the Convention Center. At 5pm, 2,000 volunteers carrying flashlights will spell out "Philadelphia 2000" on the field of Veterans Stadium for a photo taken from a helicopter.

Other events include the planting of 2,000 trees in Fairmount Park, the permanent illumination of seven Schuylkill bridges between South and Spring Garden streets, permanent lighting of the William Penn statue atop City Hall and a birthday party for "The Hall," which marks its 100th birthday on New Year's Night.

The final event, 24 hours after the Rocky run will be the start of the Mummers parade, an annual New Year's Day tradition beginning at 6am. On July 4th, 100 people one born each year in this century had their picture taken at the Liberty bell as part of the "Photo of the Century".

Philadelphia apparently has overcome conflicts with the Southern Baptists that had scheduled a convention in the same time period that would have interrupted many events. Also plans to create an inflatable Liberty Bell for New Year's Eve appears to have deflated.

DATE: 08/02/99

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