Parker embraces Wawa as questions swirl over July 4 festival
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Mayor Cherelle Parker says Philly remains a "Wawa city."
Why it matters: Parker is doubling down on the city's commitment to the convenience store giant amid revelations that Wawa privately raised concerns about her decision to rebrand this year's Fourth of July concert and fireworks show.
Driving the news: Wawa "never left" and will "continue to be a part" of the Welcome America Festival, Parker said during Tuesday's Axios Live event.
- She wouldn't commit to whether Welcome America, the nonprofit that has overseen the festival for years, would regain control of the Fourth of July concert and fireworks show next year after the administration brought in an outside company for the nation's 250th anniversary.
What they're saying: "Who the team looks like that will produce our Welcome America celebration for 2027, you'll have to wait to see," Parker told Axios after the event.
The other side: Wawa hasn't responded to Axios' requests for comment.
Catch up quick: As of May, Wawa was among the corporate backers that hadn't renewed its sponsorship of the 2027 festival, according to internal correspondence obtained by Axios.
- Emails obtained by Axios showed tensions between Wawa officials, including the company's CEO, and the Parker administration over its takeover of the show, which was rebranded with the mayor's "One Philly" political slogan.
- A government watchdog group called for an investigation into whether the city violated procurement rules by hiring politically connected ESM Productions through a preexisting agreement to handle this year's show without seeking competitive bids.
- City taxpayers footed $15.5 million for the concert — more than double the cost of Welcome America's 2024 festivities.
What we're watching: Whether Wawa seeks concessions from the Parker administration over who produces next year's show as a condition of remaining title sponsor.