To celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday, of course Philadelphia brought out the Ben Franklins for a look-alike contest

Kiya Burgess, of Philadelphia, wins the Ben Franklin look-alike contest that was held behind the President's House on Independence Mall on Friday.

At the Benjamin Franklin look-alike contest at Independence Hall, which was supposed to end early, the crowd enthusiastically shouted, “One more Ben, one more Ben.” Latecomers — men and women dressed like the famed Founding Father — walked through the crowd to the front.

It wasn’t a catwalk, per se, but the Franklin stroll.

Kiya Burgess, 25, was crowned the victor of the Franklin free-for-all.

Elena Jackendoff, 32, a student at Johns Hopkins University studying public health, organized the event.

“You have to make the event you want to see in the world,” she said.

She organized the lookalike on a lark, making the flyers after her last final exam and pasting them across the city. She expected to see a few of her friends, not hundreds of people.

Many of the Franklins — like Kara Peterschmidt, 25; Kyra Feinauer, 25; and Lauren Zwetzig, 24 — didn’t even have to go out to buy a costume. The friend group had hosted a Constitution-themed housewarming a while back and came dressed in the same white wigs and tops.

Asked about the truest Ben Franklin expression, Peterschmidt said, “It’s definitely a mog.”

One of the contestants shows off their legs.Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer
Each contestant had to say why they were the best Ben Franklin.Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer
Gene Backus (left) and Maria D’Agostino (right) of Anchorage, Alaska take a selfie with Ben Franklin (Gabriel Meyer) of Levittown.Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer
Contestants pose for the cameras. Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer
Contestants are all smiles in the Ben Franklin lookalike contest.Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer
Footwear worn by some of the contestants.Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer
Contestants explain why they were the best Ben Franklin.Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer
The crowd cheers for the contestants.Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer
Mitchell Kramer holds up the arm of contest winner Kiya Burgess of Philadelphia.Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer

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