Director Jon Turteltaub came to Philadelphia’s first NationalTreasure weekend with a treasure of his own to pass on — a third movie in the historical treasure hunt franchise starring Nicolas Cage is a go.
Turteltaub confirmed “it’s happening” on Friday night to Aubrey Paris and Emily Black, hosts of the National Treasure Hunt podcast, during a taping of the podcast before a live audience at the Philadelphia Visitor Center.
Audience members listen as “National Treasure” director Jon Turteltaub speaks with Aubrey Paris and Emily Black, creators and hosts of the “National Treasure Hunt” podcast, during a live recording at the Independence Visitor Center in Philadelphia on Friday.Erin Blewett / For The Inquirer
Initially, the crowd was stunned with disbelief, as if Turteltaub had just told them he was going to steal the Declaration of Independence, but after the director confirmed they were “the first people I have said this out loud to,” fans broke out in thunderous applause and cheers.
“I have not said anything before this, but you deserve to have the scoop,” Turtletaub told Paris and Black. “It’s finally real. Now, it’s Hollywood real, meaning things could happen. Nic gets hit by a bus, there’s no National Treasure 3. If I get hit by a bus, there’s probably a National Treasure 3. Welcome to Hollywood.”
Jon Turteltaub, director of the 2004 film “National Treasure,” speaks during a live recording of the “National Treasure Hunt” podcast at the Independence Visitor Center in Philadelphia on Friday.Erin Blewett / For The Inquirer
Turteltaub — who also directed Cool Runnings, While You Were Sleeping, and The Meg — said there’s a script he and Disney like and “to whatever extent we can, everyone’s back” in the National Treasure cast, including Cage.
The first film in the franchise was released in 2004 and several iconic scenes were filmed in Philadelphia, a city whose tough-to-please residents have come to embrace the film.
Hundreds of people gathered for a free screening of National Treasure on Independence Mall on Friday after the chat, one of several events over three days celebrating the movie. A sold-out tour by Paris and Black of filming locations around Philadelphia and a screening of the 2007 sequel, National Treasure: Book of Secrets, were among other events slated for the weekend.
People gather on Independence Mall for an outdoor screening of the 2004 film “National Treasure” in Philadelphia on Friday.Erin Blewett / For The Inquirer
Turteltaub said one of the reasons it’s taken nearly two decades to make another chapter in the saga is the political climate of the country. He told a story about former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy calling him out of the blue to ask for a private screening of National Treasure for Congress.
“He, like others, were surprised that Democrats made that movie because Democrats can’t be patriots. That’s the thought and it just got worse,” Turteltaub said. “And on the Democrats’ side: ‘Oh, Republicans, they just want to keep stuff to themselves, they hate everybody, they want to kill everyone, and blah blah blah.”
Turteltaub said because of the internet, people are quick to read politics into everything and take sides, and that will be addressed in the third film.
People gather on Independence Mall for an outdoor screening of the 2004 film “National Treasure” in Philadelphia on Friday.Erin Blewett / For The Inquirer
“We have to be very careful, but I don’t feel we are allowed to ignore it,” he said. “I think we have to include that idea in the story somehow without making someone feel put off.”
Turteltaub did not say whether the third film would include any scenes in Philadelphia, nor did he offer any further details about the plot.
I’ve been a fan of the Portal ever since I spent five hours documenting how Philadelphians reacted to it and how the world reacted to us when this interactive installation arrived here in 2024.
The soundless, circular livestream screen with sci-fi vibes that connects strangers around the world was at its best at its first location in LOVE Park. But after it was vandalized twice, it was relocated to the courtyard of City Hall last year, where it has remained.
Honestly, I’m impressed it made it this long. Most of us didn’t give it 24 hours.
The Portal’s time here may soon be up though if organizers can’t find a new home for it. The city didn’t extend its permit, citing upcoming commitments to the holiday market in the courtyard, Nicolas Klaus, CEO of Portals.org, told The Inquirer last week.
Steve Farkas holds up a heart sign to people in Lithuania at the Philadelphia Portal installation in the courtyard of City Hall on June 11, 2025.Kaiden J. Yu / Staff Photographer
With the permit due to expire at the end of October, Portals.org is now looking for a new home for the 3.5-ton video screen and a sponsor to cover the cost of relocation and annual maintenance, which averages about $30,000 a year, according to Klaus.
Philly could lose the Portal to another city if a new site isn’t found, and Philly doesn’t like losing anything — even if it is our fault — so I asked readers on social media where it should head next.
With money no object and logic an afterthought, here’s where people said they’d like to see the Portal go.
The Art Museum steps
If you want to frame this city beautifully for outsiders, there’s perhaps no better place to put the Portal than at the top of the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps looking down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. This was the clear winner from people who answered my question seriously (I was surprised I got any serious answers).
I’m sure the “Rocky” statue won’t mind if we put the Portal right here for the best view. Jose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer
We could put it right in front of the Rocky statue so that when folks run up the stairs, people around the world can cheer them on or make fun of them for tripping. Nobody will be able to hear their laughter, so what does it matter anyway? Let’s give the viewers what they really want — athleticism and slapstick. Plus, the Art Museum is where all of our great city celebrations are held. Next time one of our teams wins a championship and ends its parade at the museum steps, folks could fly to Lithuania for a front-row seat to the celebration. Pirmyn paukščiai!
The sports complex
For a crash course in our culture, there’s nowhere to get the full-on Philly quicker than by putting the Portal at the sports complex, so long as organizers can also slap an R-rating and a force field around that thing.
Several people suggested putting the Portal in tailgating lots (particularly K and Jetro), which I think the Irish would really get a kick out of. I can picture “Whiskey in the Jar” sing-a-longs across the pond and peat moss fires in the parking lots.
Welcome to our tailgating, world. David Maialetti / Staff Photographer
Others suggested placing the Portal right on Lincoln Financial Field or at third base at Citizen’s Bank Park (please meet our king, the Phanatic, and his court of jesters, the Galápagos Gang) and one guy wants it put in the “Last stall, men’s restroom Section 323 at the Linc,” which is oddly specific and unsettling, sir.
Personally, I think it should go inside Gritty’s secret hideout at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Gritty is a master at entertaining without talking and we’d finally get to see what he does at night. Plus, Gritty could invite LeBron James to hang out after Sixers games. Portal ratings would go through the roof!
Boner 4ever building
When it comes to indelible Philly landmarks it’s hard to top the “Boner 4ever” building, the 14-story building on North Broad Street that’s been adorned with the graffiti tags “Boner 4ever” on one side and “Forever Boner” on the other for as long as anyone can remember.
Thanks to Shana Fallon on Bluesky for this fantastic suggestion.
“I mean, honestly, this is the only right answer,” Fallon wrote. “Bunches of tourists taking the BSL up to Broad and Erie for Max’s, the Portal, and Boner 4ever/Forever Boner. What a full, Philadelphia experience.”
The Beury Building is more commonly known in Philadelphia by its nicknames, the “Boner 4Ever” and “Forever Boner” building. STEVEN M. FALK / Staff Photographer
Putting the Portal here would also ensure that the building and graffiti remain forever, as is foretold, and spotlighting a building festooned with such an enduring nickname will make people even more confused about just what goes on here in Philly.
At a Wawa
For an easily-digestible microcosm of Philly, putting the Portal inside of a Wawa would be a Sizzli move, as Larry Durland suggested on Threads. You may not like that one of our region’s cultural touchstones is a convenience store with touch screens, but for many it’s a third space on the go, which makes it a classic fit for the Portal.
Could the most convenient place for the Portal be in Philly’s hometown convenience store? JESSICA GRIFFIN / Staff Photographer
With the Portal at Wawa, the world could see our sartorial splendor on full display — men in matching tracksuits and slides, women in pajama pants and flip-flops, and without fail, someone whose every item of clothing is Eagles-branded. Plus, the doors at Wawa are already like a portal all their own, making us all a little more polite toward our fellow man.
Of course, everything changes after midnight at Wawa, so if viewers get bored watching folks patiently stand around waiting for their order numbers to be called, they need only wait for the clock to strike midnight Eastern for the real show to begin.
Four Seasons Total Landscaping
Few places in Philly are as iconic as the garage doors of Four Seasons Total Landscaping, the site of one of the greatest and worst news conferences of all time. It’s inspired shirts, a beer, a run, a concert, and countless memes, and perhaps a whole new era of the Portal as well.
Rudy Giuliani, a former lawyer for President Donald Trump, speaks during a news conference at Four Seasons Total Landscaping in Philadelphia in November 2020.John Minchillo
Working together, Portal organizers and Four Seasons staffers could bill this as the hottest spot, in between a crematorium and a sex shop, to hold news conferences that have absolutely nothing to do with landscaping — and they’d be broadcast around the world, too! Sure, they wouldn’t have sound, but I’d cover every one to let you know what was said.
Four Seasons has already proven it’s great with lawn-distance relationships and the Portal sows goodwill so let’s make this thing happen. Thanks to Bluesky user Tim Bak for the suggestion.
Reading Terminal Market
As a place frequented by both residents and tourists, putting the Portal “dead center” inside of Reading Terminal Market would definitely give folks a flavor of Philly, as Bluesky user Mike Zufel suggested. It’d provide phenomenal foot traffic and captivating aesthetics, but organizers would risk people in other cities demanding a scratch-and-sniff function be added to their devices.
Patrick Moser works on his Tush Push scrapple sculpture at Reading Terminal Market’s annual Scrapple Sculpting Contest on Oct. 10, 2025.Alejandro A. Alvarez / Staff Photographer
If the Portal was inside Reading Terminal, viewers would also get to watch one of Philly’s more unusual traditions — the market’s annual Scrapple Sculpting Contest. Explaining scrapple is hard enough, explaining why people here chisel sculptures of the Eagles’ Tush Push out of blocks of it to win a pig trophy would be sow hard, especially since you can’t use words. We’re gonna need the Philadelphia Ballet to start working on an interpretive dance about this now to help us explain it to the world.
President’s House Site
This suggestion from a Threads user is about as serious as it gets, and it’s an excellent one, too. No place in Philadelphia has faced more scrutiny, controversy, or whitewashing of history this year than the President’s House Site, which until recently laid bare the Founding Fathers’ role in slavery and told the stories of the people George Washington enslaved here in Philadelphia.
After months of legal battles and under the cover of night in mid-July, President Donald Trump’s administration installed its own watered-down panels at the National Park site on Independence Mall, panels that experts say dilute Washington’s position as an enslaver of human beings. Large, solar-powered surveillance cameras now loom over the President’s House, giving it an eerie surveillance-state vibe.
The President’s House on Independence Mall is flanked by three mobile surveillance trailers with cameras on Aug. 11.Tom Gralish / Staff Photographer
So let’s give Big Brother a taste of its own medicine by putting the Portal at the site so we can keep an eye on what the federal government is doing there at all times. Plus the more people who see the President’s House, the more questions they may ask about it, questions that could lead them to research the full history. And even if Philadelphians can’t talk to people through the Portal about what’s happened at the site, I guarantee they will volunteer to hold up signs in front of it that speak the truth.
Outside a cheesesteak shop
Several people who didn’t skirt around the fact that Philadelphia is probably most internationally known for the steak sandwich that carries its name suggested putting the Portal right outside of a cheesesteak shop to help give folks a taste of Philly.
These sharp readers were on a roll, but they differed on exactly which shop the Portal should go to. Some said it should be flanked by cheesy Pat’s and Geno’s, so people can gawk at tourists, while others suggested local favs, like Angelo’s or Dalessandro’s, so visitors know where to go.
Patrons of Angelo’s Pizzeria in South Philly wait in line for the shop’s famous cheesesteaks last year. Alejandro A. Alvarez / Staff Photographer
Though it’s cliche, I’m on board wit this idea for one reason: I’ve been hoping for a Portal love connection story since day one and if there’s anywhere a meat-cute is bound to happen in Philly, it’s at a cheesesteak shop.
I can see the handwritten love sign on dirty butcher paper being held up to the Portal now:
As Philly guys go, the Phanatic is one suave dude. His gyrating belly, chameleonlike tongue, and ability to burn our opponents without uttering a single word have charmed generations of Philadelphians.
Now, this smoothie operator has a smoothie all his own and it tastes like the tears of our rivals — sweet, salty, and delicious.
Kim Rodriguez, Wawa manager, along with the Wawa mascot Wally Goose and the Phillie Phanatic in Philadelphia on Aug. 17, 2026.Jessica Griffin / Staff Photographer
Wawa debuted its new, limited-edition Phanatic Caramel Curveball Cream Smoothie during an event at the chain’s Penrose Avenue store Monday that was part news conference, part pep rally, and perfectly preposterous.
Fans packed the store — for what, they weren’t exactly sure — they just knew it would be a chance to “hang with the Phillie Phanatic and Wally Goose,” according to Wawa’s Facebook page for the event.
The two-birds-one-store offer was enough to bring out a flock of more than 75 people dressed in Phillies, Phanatic, and Wawa gear, including sisters Elizabeth and Jennifer Bertolet of Doylestown. They arrived 90 minutes before the event and decided that whatever was about to happen, it was “going to be awesome.”
“Wally is going to be here and the Phanatic is going to be here. Why wouldn’t we be here?” Elizabeth Bertolet said.
Maggie McNulty, who is dressed as Wally Goose, and her father, Glenn McNulty, attend an event at Wawa’s Penrose Avenue store celebrating the partnership between the Phillies and Wawa. Jessica Griffin / Staff Photographer
Justin Tichy, chief operations officer for Wawa, announced during his remarks that the smoothie is part of a new partnership between Philly’s hometown baseball team and its hometown convenience store.
Fans at Friday’s Phillies’ game against the St. Louis Cardinals will receive a Wawa Kyle Schwarber bobblehead, samples of the Phanatic smoothie, and a chance to see Wally Goose throw out the first ceremonial pitch.
When asked how he’s feeling about taking the mound, Wally shuddered with nervous energy then practiced his pitching wing.
She Willians, of Job Corps culinary, and the Wawa mascot Wally Goose at Wawa’s Penrose Avenue store Monday. Jessica Griffin / Staff Photographer
Perhaps he’ll throw a curveball like Wawa did by not making its Phanatic smoothie green. A source said it’s because the Phanatic is unlikely to put anything green in his smoothie, which 100% tracks. You don’t get that bouncy belly by drinking kale.
When asked what he thought about the new drink bearing his name, the Phanatic raised his arms overhead then circled his belly around in approval.
The smoothie is made with vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce, whipped cream, salted caramel syrup, and sea salt pretzel pieces. It comes in a limited-edition cup featuring the Phanatic’s eyes and the tip of his snout and it only comes in one size — phanatically large — clocking in at 970 calories.
Zack Sminkey of Woodstown, N.J., who wore a matching red shirt-and-shorts combo featuring repeating patterns of the Phanatic, brought his 7-year-old daughter Zoe to the event. Both approved of the new smoothie in the big green guy’s honor.
“It’s really good. It’s very ballpark-tasting,” Sminkey said. “I almost feel like it tastes like Cracker Jacks. It’s delicious.”
Jennifer Bertolet described it another way as she and her sister toasted their free samples of smoothie.
“It tastes like World Series win with a sprinkling of Mets tears,” she said.
Phillies ambassador Scott Palmer with a tray of new Wawa limited-edition Phanatic Caramel Curveball Cream Smoothies.Jessica Griffin / Staff Photographer
When Wawa released a limited-edition Gritty Smoothie in the spring in honor of Philly’s prince of chaos, it was only a matter of time before the OG mascot king got one of his own, too.
The partnership between Wawa and the Phillies solidified Wawa as the team’s official hoagie in June. Wawa hoagies now come wrapped in Phillies-themed paper, and the chain is selling red-and-white striped Phillies doughnuts and Phillies-themed kids meals, which come with stickers of the Phanatic and Wally Goose. A portion of the proceeds from the kids meals go to Philabundance.
In turn, Wawa has an increased presence at Citizens Bank Park with new advertising and ballpark activations.
Wally Goose and the Phillie Phanatic represent Wawa and the Phillies at a news conference on Monday about their recently-announced partnership. Jessica Griffin / Staff Photographer
But the Phillies and Wawa were in a situationship long before they made things official this summer. Whenever the Phillies make the playoffs, Wawa brings back its Kyle Schwarber-themed Schwarberfest, a Hoagiefest spinoff featuring discounted hoagies. And in 2024, Bryce Harper was fined by MLB for showing his love for the chain by wearing custom-made Wawa cleats and a headband during a game.
The Phillies and Wawa collaborations, including the Phanatic smoothie, will be available at stores in the region through Sept. 28.
No word on if the offers will be extended in the event of a Red October.
Today while interviewing a woman inside of a Wawa whose baby was dressed like Wally Goose, I was surprise-attacked from behind by the Phanatic, who put me inside of his shirt.
That is a sentence only a Philly journalist could write – and believe and live through.
I just bought a South Philly house with a pristine 1950s bathroom. Everyone who sees it says I MUST keep it, pink toilet and all. But I want radiant heat flooring, marble, and a moody paint scheme. Am I a monster?
Earl Hopkins
NO, you are not a monster! As a homeowner, you have free will to do whatever you want with YOUR property. I’m all for architectural character, so a ’50s-style bathroom sounds beautiful. But if you want to scrap it for a more modern style, who am I — or anyone for that matter — to tell you differently? Go for it!
What do you think, Stephanie?
Stephanie Farr
As someone who has pink tile in her bathroom and initially hated it when I moved in, I’d urge this reader to sit with it for a while (beyond just sitting on the toilet). My pink-tiled bathroom has grown on me over the years and now I kind of love how it feels anachronistic. I’m in the modern era in the rest of my house, but when I go to the bathroom I’m transported back to the 1950s. It’s a bathroom time machine!
Earl, how much do you think you should let others influence your decisions with your house? Do you take input from guests? Should guests even be offering input on someone’s bathroom?
Earl Hopkins
No! This reader shouldn’t let any guests sway their opinion or steer their vision.
No. 1: Buying a home is hard.
No. 2: What may be odd or strange to one person, may be the very quirk that convinced them to purchase the home in the first place. In this case, they may have fallen out of love with the bathroom, or knew a remodel was in the cards. Either way, it’s their business.
Stephanie, I feel like a bathroom is such an intimate place in someone’s home. What do you think?
Stephanie Farr
I totally get that. I think complimenting someone’s bathroom is fine but criticizing it — or the homeowner’s style preferences — is rude.
I agree that if this person wants to renovate it they have every right to make their bathroom look like something out of the Beetlejuice house instead of out of 1950s South Philly. But, in case they feel like these comments from guests are coming out of nowhere, there is a deep appreciation for old Philly places stuck in time, particularly in South Philly. There’s an entire Instagram account called South Philly Time Capsules that features houses that haven’t been changed in decades and the first pinned post is of a pink bathroom.
Earl, do you think there’s a way to pay homage to the old bathroom if and when it is completely modernized? Should this person take a photo of the bathroom now, frame it, and hang it up in the redone bathroom or is that just asking for more criticism?
Earl Hopkins
Oooh, that would be a nice touch; a great way to pay homage to the home’s roots. Plus, it could make for a great story to share with new visitors.
Stephanie Farr
And maybe they should save a few pieces of the tile to incorporate somewhere in the new bathroom or home too. And before the remodel, they should definitely throw a bathroom potty to send off their old restroom in style.
Historic Philadelphia institutions better ramp up security around their copies of the Declaration of Independence because a National Treasure weekend is coming to Philly.
The three-day event, from Aug. 20 to 22, will celebrate one of the best and most absurd films ever partially filmed in Philadelphia with screenings on Independence Mall, an appearance by director Jon Turteltaub, a guided tour, and interactive puzzle adventures.
Alas, a news release about “Philadelphia’s National Treasure Weekend“ made no mention of appearances by any cast members, despite my well-documented and repeated requests to have Nic Cage recreate the scene where he free-solo climbs Independence Hall (undetected!) for the nation’s Semiquincentennial celebrations this year.
Of course, organizers could just be keeping mum on the matter, believing that Silence Dogood.
“National Treasure” follows Benjamin Franklin Gates (Nicolas Cage) on his quest to solve a historic mystery.www.disneypicture.net
The event is hosted by the Philadelphia Visitor Center, Independence Historical Trust, and the National Treasure Hunt podcast. Yes, there is a podcast devoted to the National Treasure franchise and it has 121 episodes.
The creators of the podcast, Aubrey Paris and Emily Black, will kick off the festivities at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20, with a “Heist Night” at Carpenters Hall. The adventure will require participants to team up and crack clues, solve ciphers, and figure out escape room-style puzzles “as you race against foes to find the missing piece in a nearly 20-year-old treasure hunt,” according to the event site. The experience is recommended for adventurers 18 and older and tickets are $50 per person.
On Friday, Aug. 21, games will be hosted on Independence Mall by the Historic District Partners, a live episode of the National Treasure Hunt podcast featuring Turteltaub will be recorded at Independence Visitor Center (tickets are $10), and a screening of National Treasure will be held on Independence Mall. Turteltaub will introduce the film and free popcorn will be provided by Liberty Garden.
The final day of events will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, with a National Treasure Hunt tour of Philadelphia, led by Paris and Black. The podcast hosts will take participants to local sites in the movie (you could end up at the Franklin Institute, Reading Terminal Market, or the Old Pine Street Presbyterian Church cemetery), as they share stories behind the film and the landmarks that inspired it. Registration is required and tickets are $60.
Early that evening, Paris and Black will again host Heist Night at Carpenters Hall and activations from the Historic District Partners will be set up along Independence Mall. An 8 p.m. screening of National Treasure: Book of Secrets, the sequel to the original film, will be held on the mall. Turteltaub will once again introduce the film and free popcorn will be provided.
The film “National Treasure” plays on Independence Mall last year as part of the “Movies on the Mall” series. Jessica Griffin / Staff Photographer
The weekend of events was inspired by “Movies on the Mall,” an annual summer series of movie screenings on Independence Mall put on by the Visitor Center and Historical Trust. The series has featured National Treasure the last few years.
While Rocky may get top billing when movies set in Philly come to mind, National Treasure has legit Philly street cred, with several iconic scenes shot here. More importantly, it has Philly fans, who are notoriously difficult to please.
Philadelphians love a good history mystery and we respect a man named Benjamin Franklin Gates who says things like “I’m gonna to steal the Declaration of Independence” and then does it.
Josh Douglas of Roxborough walks between bars while wearing a Nicolas Cage mask during the Nic Cage cocktail crawl on June 28 in Jenkintown. Monica Herndon / Staff Photographer
More than two decades after its 2004 release, the film and its star are still inspiring media and society today. A made-for-TV Hallmark movie released for the nation’s 250th anniversary this year called To Philly With Love was almost definitely inspired by National Treasure and just last month, a Nic Cage bar crawl was held in Jenkintown.
A long, long time ago (Friday) in a galaxy far, far away (California), representatives of the Franklin Institute and Lucasfilm released details about the science museum’s upcoming world premiere exhibit, Star Wars: The Experience, during a panel at San Diego Comic-Con.
From getting frozen in carbonite next to Han Solo to walking through Queen Amidala’s throne room, the 18,000-square-foot exhibition will feature a variety of interactive elements and displays across several interconnected galleries, according to a news release.
The immersive fan experience, which debuts in February, is timed to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the first film released in the sci-fi saga, Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope.
During the “Making of Star Wars: The Experience”panel at Comic-Con — which was moderated by Ashley Eckstein, who voices Ahsoka Tano in Star Wars’ animated series — official renderings and details about the exhibit were released for the first time.
An artist’s rendering of what “Queen Amidala’s Throne Room” will look like at the upcoming exhibit, “Star Wars: The Experience,” at the Franklin Institute in 2027.Courtesy of MDSX
According to the news release, displays and interactive features of Star Wars: The Experience will include:
“Queen Amidala’s Throne Room”: In an exhibit dedicated to costume design in the Star Wars galaxy, guests will walk through a room of “suspended fabric and projection” resembling the queen’s throne room while surrounded by Star Wars costumes, costume art, and stories from the franchise’s costume designers.
“Wireframe Worlds”: In this gallery, fans will get a look at the blueprint and sketch designs behind some of Star Wars most famous sets and vehicles. The display will be anchored by a wireframe TIE fighter and surrounded by diagrams of Star Wars spaceships.
An artist’s rendering of the “Wireframe Worlds” gallery at “Star Wars: The Experience,” which is coming to the Franklin Institute in February 2027.Courtesy of MDSX
“Carbon Freeze Capture”: Billed as a “dramatic, photo-ready moment,” this display will feature a full-scale Han Solo encased in carbonite flanked by two stations where visitors can undergo their own “carbon freeze sequence.”
“50 Years of Star Wars”: More than 90 rare and vintage Star Wars action figures and prototypes from Kenner, Hasbro, and other manufacturers will be featured in a gallery about premium collectibles.
The Franklin Institute previously announced that a variety of rare artifacts used in the films — like Darth Vader’s costume and Darth Maul’s lightsaber — will be on display, along with various robots and aliens from the universe, like R2-D2 and Grogu.
Guests will also be equipped with RFID technology to interact with some of the displays and strengthen their alliance with the force, “culminating in a personalized finale moment,” the release said.
A promotional image for “Star Wars: The Experience,” which premieres February 2027 at the Franklin Institute.Courtesy of MDSX
Lynwen Brennan, copresident of Lucasfilm, called the exhibit a “testament to five decades of innovative storytelling.”
“As we mark the incredible milestone of the 50th anniversary of Star Wars, we wanted to develop something truly extraordinary — a space that honors both the visionary pioneers who built this galaxy, and the remarkable fan community at its heart,” Brennan said in the release.
Tickets for the experience, which runs from February to September 2027, go on sale in November. Following its run at the Franklin Institute, the exhibit will embark on a five-year tour of North America.
Following my first visit to Boston two years ago, I penned a column (against my better judgment) bemoaning what a surprisingly good time I had there (against my will).
I was particularly taken with the city’s Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile walking path embedded in Boston’s sidewalks that leads to 16 historic sites. Far from being half-baked, I had to admit this Beantown tourist attraction was “annoyingly great.”
Look at the Freedom Trail being all cute running through this Boston Street. Gawd! STEPHANIE FARR / Staff
Why didn’t we have anything like this in Philly, I wondered, and could we get our own version in time for the nation’s 250th anniversary?
I was flooded with emails in response from readers who not only agreed with me, but offered route suggestions and names for a potential Philly path. I also received a cryptic message from someone at Visit Philadelphia who said they had some things up their sleeves.
That was more than two years ago and I’d all but given up hope. Then I received an email this month from Jenea Robinson, vice president of communications for Visit Philadelphia.
Vinyl decals resembling ceramic tiles and a brass plaque mark the public pilot version of the Path to Democracy.Stephanie Farr / Staff
“Because you wrote that delightfully, ‘annoyingly accurate’ story about Boston’s Freedom Trail a few years ago, I wanted to make sure you got the first look at Philadelphia’s answer to it: Path to Democracy,” she wrote.
Could it be true? Are we actually getting our own historic trail and did someone really call my work “annoyingly accurate?!?” Be still my craggy, Philly heart!
‘A legacy project’
Still in its early phases, there are currently only six stops on the Path to Democracy as it undergoes public beta testing through Labor Day. The full path, which is slated for next summer, will have 21 stops and is based on a self-guided tour Visit Philly has had on its website for years, said Kyle Stein, senior marketing project manager for Visit Philly.
“This is something we wanted to introduce to people this year and have it be a legacy project for years to come,” he said.
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In its final iteration, the Path to Democracy will be marked by colorful ceramic tiles, brass directional plaques, and large tile mosaics embedded in the sidewalks that will pay “homage to all of the art across Philadelphia” and particularly, to that of Isaiah Zagar, Stein said.
“Whatever look and feel we went with had to be authentic to Philadelphia,” he said.
For now, Visit Philly is using sturdy, eye-catching vinyl decals that resemble tiles and mosaics to mark the path and stops along it. Zagar’s studio wasn’t consulted on the project, but Stein said Visit Philly would love to work with them going forward.
The vinyl mosaic decal at Christ Church along the Path to Democracy.Stephanie Farr / Staff
The Path to Democracy will not only be unique from Boston’s trail in look but in substance as well. The Freedom Trail traces Revolutionary War history, but Philly’s path will highlight sites and people that have shaped American democracy over the years.
“It’s not just something that happened in 1776,” Stein said. “Democracy is something that is an evolving thing.”
I knew there was only one way to suss out this path and that was to walk it myself. Plus, Stein said feedback from locals is essential during beta testing, and who doesn’t love being essential and opinionated in Philly?
Choose-your-own adventure
I snagged a parking space on Race Street near Second last week, knowing that the sites are all within a four-block radius from Front to Fourth and from Market to Arch Streets.
My first stop wasn’t planned. I just kept my eyes on the ground until something caught them, which happened at the corner of Second and Arch Streets. I spotted a blue vinyl tile that said “We” (written in the script of the Declaration of Independence) and two vinyl directional decals that said “Path to Democracy” with QR codes that led to an accompanying website. One pointed up Arch Street to Third and the other pointed down Second Street to Market.
Vinyl brass-colored decals at Third and Arch Streets in Old City denote that the Path to Democracy can be taken in one of two directions here. In the center is a “We” tile that is found on multiple spots along the path as well.Stephanie Farr / Staff
I decided I’d follow the arrow pointing right up Arch Street. As I walked, I spotted gem-shaped blue-and-red vinyl decals that were peppered like breadcrumbs down the sidewalk and led me straight to the Betsy Ross House.
On the sidewalk outside of the site, I spotted a lovely vinyl mosaic of a needle and thread superimposed upon a multicolored flag. A QR code on it took me to a mobile-friendly webpage about Ross. I listened to a 51-second audio clip about her life and read about the mosaic before me. Also provided on the page was the Betsy Ross House’s address, operating hours, and other useful visitor information.
The vinyl mosaic decal outside of the Betsy Ross House along the Path to Democracy.Stephanie Farr / Staff
At the bottom of the site was a nifty little guide showing me that I was currently a four-minute walk away from Christ Church in one direction and a two-minute walk away from the Arch Street Meeting House in the other.
“All right, this is pretty cool,” I whispered.
Confusing corners
I chose to follow the blue-and-red vinyl decals to the Arch Street Meeting House where a vibrant vinyl mosaic of a dove and the word equality was plastered on the sidewalk. The QR code led to a page about the meetinghouse and to an audio clip about how “Religious radicals founded Philly.”
When I was done, I discovered I’d reached the end of the path, much to my chagrin. I didn’t realize it wasn’t a continuous loop and I had to retrace my steps back past the Betsy Ross House to the next site, Christ Church.
From there, the vinyl decals led me to the southwest corner of Second and Market Streets, where a directional decal with arrows on both ends pointed me toward Front Street on my left and also to Third Street on my right.
“Well this is confusing,” I thought.
I decided to follow the path up Market Street past Third Street to Franklin Court, where I spotted a large vinyl mosaic decal of a key, kite, quill pen, and spectacles.
The Path to Democracy leads to just outside Franklin Court, where this vinyl mosaic decal located.Stephanie Farr / Staff
I headed inside Franklin Court and walked around. I always forget how many privies there are in there (the place had more johns than the Second Continental Congress!).
Franklin Court marked another terminus of the path, so I turned around and headed back down Market Street to Front to check out the other direction of the trail I’d forgone.
Lesser-known sites
On the southeast side of Second Street as it crosses Market, I found a large mosaic decal of a man operating a printing press. Scanning the QR code, the website told me this was once “Printers’ Row,” where many important documents — including the first copies of the Declaration of Independence — were made.
Unlike the other sites along the path, there was nothing already at this one to indicate it was of any importance, aside from an easy-to-miss plaque embedded in a crumbling wall of a vacant building nearby.
A vinyl mosaic decal marks the site of Printer’s Row on Market Street near Second along the Path to Democracy.Stephanie Farr / Staff
I appreciated this more-obscure site being highlighted on the path. Stein said its inclusion in the beta test was very intentional.
“Not every historic site in Philly is one people can enter. We wanted a tried-and-true one, like the Betsy Ross House, and lesser-known ones, like Printers’ Row,” he said.
Following the decals, I reached my final stop at the corner of Front and Market Streets. There, a vinyl mosaic decal of a tree, animals, and human figures was situated on the sidewalk catty-corner to the Chief Tamanend statue at the I-95 on-ramp.
As I listened to the accompanying audio via the QR code, I found myself staring at the statue.
The Path to Democracy highlights the “Chief Tamanend” statue at Front and Market Streets in Old City.Stephanie Farr / Staff
Then, I did something I’ve never done before — I crossed the street and approached it. I stood below Chief Tamanend’s feet, I looked up at him and the eagle on his shoulder, I marveled at the details of his clothing, I read the accompanying bronze plaque.
And I couldn’t believe that it took me this long and this path to do so.
A worthy pursuit
I spent about two hours walking the path, but I backtracked often and took my time. You could feasibly do it in 30-60 minutes.
After my walk, I filled out the pilot program survey via the QR code.
“I want more sites and would love for it to be a circular path you could start at any place and keep going around until you get back where you started, like a Phlash bus loop,” I wrote.
Vinyl decals mark the Path to Democracy on the 300 block of Market Street in Old City during the beta testing phase of the project.Courtesy of Visit Philadelphia
Stein said the goal is to have the path be multidirectional.
“I think in the future we’re considering the best way to actually connect the sites,“ Stein said. ”Printers’ Row and Chief Tamanend was an opportunity to test out a spur. That will be something we may come up against in the future, some sites may not fall within a perfect pathway.”
While I didn’t see anyone else following the path as I was exploring it, Visit Philly’s Robinson told me about 50 people a day have been scanning the QR codes.
Though there are still some kinks to work out, the Path to Democracy shows a lot of promise. Like democracy itself, we don’t know where it will lead, but it’s a worthy pursuit — and one that requires our participation to succeed.
So before Labor Day, go try it out and provide feedback. You could help shape a path in Philly that may be walked for generations to come.
“We just want Philadelphians to be proud of this and be aware of it,” Stein said. “I think that this path is another way for us as Philadelphians to celebrate how great this city and these sites are.”
The Path to Democracy leads to the Arch Street Meeting House, where a vinyl mosaic decal wraps around the site’s historical marker.Stephanie Farr / Staff
If you curse people who double-park in West Philly when there’s an open space right there; if you can squeeze your ride into a tight spot in Rittenhouse with a bar full of onlookers waiting for you to fail; or if finding a parking space in residential South Philly is something you actually enjoy, then snagging a spot in the 2026 Philadelphia Parallel Parking Association (PPPA) Championship might be right up your narrow alley.
But prospective parkers beware — the competition is looking as fierce as a Philly granny determined to get the last parking space near church on Sunday. More than 400 people have already applied for just 20 spots in the city’s first-ever parallel parking competition and applications have only been open for a week, according to PPPA Commissioner Adam Wodka.
“I always had the sense that this is something that Philly would embrace and a sense that Philadelphians have a particular pride for this skill, but absolutely I’ve been overwhelmed by the response,” Wodka said. “It’s been a joy seeing how passionately people feel about this and I’m really excited for the actual event.”
Despite similarities in their logos, the PPPA is not associated the Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA). The latter is a government agency that dishes out more tickets than StubHub, puts on more boots than a Dr. Martens store associate, and is so dramatic it once starred in a reality TV show, and the other one was just made up.
A Philadelphia Parking Authority officer tickets a car along North 29th Street near Thompson Street in Brewerytown.Alejandro A. Alvarez / Staff Photographer
Wodka said the idea for the PPPA has percolated in his head for years, beginning with his frustrations over poor parallel parking practices on his own South Philly block that led to a reduced number of spots.
His desire to get people to park more efficiently inspired talks with a friend about starting a parallel parking competition. When he learned Pittsburgh has held one for the last five years, Wodka knew he had to create one for Philly.
Philadelphia Parallel Parking Association commissioner Adam Wodka behind the wheel.Courtesy of Adam Wodka
He began planning in earnest about five months ago, put seven of his friends on the PPPA executive board, and named himself the commissioner. This might be considered corruption in other cities, but it’s pretty low on the scandal scale when it comes to Philadelphia parking agencies.
The PPPA debuted on Instagram on May 9 with a post that said “Promoting excellence in parallel parking since right now.” Subsequent posts have included an image of a sedan in the style of Leonardo da Vinci’s Vitruvian Manand parallel parking affirmations like, “They’re not honking at me. They’re cheering me on.”
On its accompanying website, the PPPA describes itself as “an independent organization dedicated to promoting excellence in parallel parking in the country of Philadelphia.”
The site includes the association’s stance on parallel parking techniques (“Signal before slowing. The turn signal is a declaration, not a formality”) and its official position on things like backup cameras (“Permitted in daily driving. Permitted in competition”).
The use of backup cameras in the competition has been a particular cause of consternation among online commenters, especially those who learned to drive without them. Wodka said he will take the issue before the PPPA board prior to the competition.
“To me [the backup camera] has been around for a while and it’s part of driving now, but I totally understand and learned how to drive before that existed,” he said. “I think we’re trying to think of a way that we can honor that as well … We are balancing all these amazing ideas on all the different subtle elements and factors of parallel parking.”
A sign advertising the 2026 Philadelphia Parallel Parking Association Championship is affixed to a pole across from some fine examples of parallel parking in the city.Courtesy of Adam Wodka
The PPPA is considering two locations for the contest. The ideal venue will have both a large gathering space, like a parking lot, and it will be closely situated to a Philly street for an authentic parallel parking experience, Wodka said. He declined to name the streets under consideration.
“I don’t want people going to practice before the competition,” he said
Once the venue is chosen, the date for the championship — which will be held on a weekend in September or October — will be solidified.
How it will go down
Contestants are required to use their own vehicles and they will compete in three categories:
One shot: Get closest to the curb in one attempt.
Tight squeeze: With 12 inches of clearance, park within six inches of the curb using the least amount of moves (Warning: Wodka is considering shortening the clearance length to 3 or 6 inches).
Under duress: Park as fast as you can while faced with distractions and barriers.
Wodka said the under duress category will force drivers to face the ultimate Philadelphia parking dilemma.
A parking space marked with a “savesies” chair, as seen here in Northeast Philly, will be one of the challenges contestants in the 2026 Philadelphia Parallel Parking Association Championship must face. TOM GRALISH / Staff Photographer
“Let’s be honest, it’s one of the most notorious and controversial aspects of parallel parking in Philly — there’s got to be a savesies cone or chair already in the spot and somebody next to it saying, ‘Hey! I’m saving that for my granddaughter don’t move that!’ and there might be a car behind you honking, a truck with sirens nearby, and other special distractions,” he said.
What won’t be on the test: parallel parking in the Broad Street median.
“Talk about controversy! That’s a level-two expert category,” Wodka said. “I have never even done Broad Street.”
Cars parked in the median along South Broad Street.Tyger Williams / Staff Photographer
Judges will score each contestant on a 10-point scale based on speed, competency, proximity to the curb, and flair. The three drivers with the highest total score will move on to the final round, a “pure show me what you got,” where one will be crowned Best Parallel Parker in Philadelphia 2026, Wodka said.
Precise parallel parkers primed to participate can apply online on the PPPA’s website. Candidates must live in Philadelphia and are required to provide their years of parallel parking experience and the make, model, and year of their vehicle. Drivers are also encouraged to write about what parallel parking means to them and provide a 60-second video or audio clip detailing how they know they’re a peerless parallel parker.
A motorist exits his car after parking his vehicle along Passyunk Avenue in South Philly in November 2021.TOM GRALISH / Staff Photographer
According to Wodka, more than 170 people have already submitted video or audio files with their application.
“Some people are handing their camera off to someone else to video them parking, some people are telling a little story about getting applause or a passenger expressing doubt and then amazement when they’re able to fit inside,” he said.
The championship will have three judges and Wodka is hoping some Philly-area celebrities with a good sense of humor and appreciation for parallel parking might volunteer.
While the PPPA hasn’t approached actor Ryan Phillippe yet, it did repost an Instagram video of the actor, who’s a native of New Castle, Del., being impressed by his buddy’s epic Philly parallel parking job in the tightest of spaces this April.
“He really did that. With relative ease,” Phillippe commented on the PPPA’s post.
The winner of the 2026 PPPA Championship will receive Best Parallel Parker in Philadelphia bragging rights for a year and a trophy that will include a piece of a curb (what curb is still TBD).
“As a cash prize we’ll be offering $76, which will essentially cover your next parking ticket,” Wodka said.
Deadline for applications is Aug. 15.
“I want Philly people with confidence to apply, that Philly every person who grew up with this as a part of their everyday life and now it’s time to be recognized for it,” Wodka said.
For more information about the PPPA or to sign up for the championship, visit philaparallelparking.org
My new-to-the-area coworker keeps calling Wawa “waWa” where she emphasizes the second syllable more than the first. The first time it happened, I just made sure to say it correctly so she’d get the hint. It didn’t work. The second time, I let it go. The third time, I told her the deal but was maybe too subtle because I didn’t want to seem rude. Now, she’s still saying it that way. And to be clear: she has no distinguishable accent. Do I say something more explicitly or has the time passed? I’m trying to help!
Dugan Arnett, Life & Culture reporter
First of all, I fear I’m not going to be much help on this one, because this is the best thing I’ve heard in months and I’m 1,000% going to be calling it “waWA” from now on. Infinitely more fun to say.
Stephanie Farr, features columnist
As someone who was a transplant many moons ago, I say to you, a recent Philly transplant, that is not going to go well.
I’m not even sure how to pronounce that. The closest I’m coming up with similar is a-HA, like the second syllable is a surprise.
Dugan Arnett
Wa-WAH???
Honestly, mispronouncing words to make them sound more fun is one of my favorite things. I’ve been calling her Lady guh-GAH for years.
Are we sure the coworker isn’t doing this on purpose?
Stephanie Farr
I am married to someone who does that and it drives me bananas! I remember when we were dating I brought it up to my female coworkers, like “I don’t know if I can live with this guy mispronouncing and making up words on purpose. I’m an English major, damn it, and he’s not Shakespeare!” They told me if that was my biggest problem with the guy to get over it. I accepted it, but I have never gotten over it.
So you make a good point that this person could be doing it on purpose. How do you pronounce Wawa?
Dugan Arnett
Well, from now on I’ll be pronouncing it “waWA.”
I think you’re looking at this all wrong. This is an excellent quality in a partner, the greenest of flags. I’d like to have a beer with your husband so we can mispronounce a bunch of words together. Plus, he might very well be Shakespeare. We don’t know.
As for the coworker, you’ve got to let her cook.
Stephanie Farr
He’s from Delco so he’s definitely not Shakespeare. Let me tell you and our reader a story. I moved to Philly from a land where hoagies were called subs. In my first few months here, I stopped at the deli counter of the Fresh Grocer in West Philly and ordered a “roast beef sub” and the worker behind the counter loudly and publicly shamed me in front of all the other waiting customers. “We don’t call it a sub ‘round here! What do we call it?” the employee asked the small crowd. “A hoagie!” they yelled at me. I never called it a sub again.
Philadelphians will embarrass the hell out of you for word choice and pronunciation, but it’s almost always to save you further embarrassment down the road. So public shaming is one avenue the reader could take.
Dugan Arnett
That does sound like a rather sobering event. I suppose I can see wanting to spare someone that same indignity.
I get the sense that this coworker might be immune to public shaming, though. She’s already been corrected three times and is still holding strong. I respect the dedication.
Stephanie Farr
Another method I might suggest to this person is to flood the newcomer with Wawa-related media, in which the word Wawa is properly pronounced. Maybe be like, “Hey did you ever see this Jason & Kylie Kelce Wawa commercial?” or “Have you heard the Hoagiefest playlist on Spotify?” Repetition could work, and over time it probably will. No matter how long you want to hold on to the correct or mispronunciation of a word, Philly’s hoagie mouth has a way of seeping in. I say this as someone who used to say water and now says wooder.
Dugan Arnett
Flood the zone. I like it.
Stephanie Farr
If this person really wants to help their new coworker, they should not only stress the correct pronunciation of Wawa, but also the correct pronunciation of ack-A-me.
Dugan Arnett
I just want everybody to get along. Is that too much to ask?
I understand some folks on social media are very upset with Phillies fans for booing every baseball player but their own during the Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park on Monday night.
To those whom we’ve offended, may I humbly say: BOOOOO!!! There’s no crying in baseball, you whiny babies.
I wasn’t there in person so sadly I can’t claim to have been a part of the cacophonous crowd that joyfully jeered player after player as they walked onto the field (except, of course, for Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper, who received thunderous applause), but I did laugh like hell while watching the incessant booing on TV.
Philly literally booed these guys just for daring to show up and be introduced at our ballpark. We are so unserious.
Our humor is just as brutal as our honesty and while it may not seem like it on the surface, both come from a place of respect. Sure, we could be fake and feign applause for players from other teams, or we could be “polite” and not say anything at all, but we’d rather be engaged and enjoy a good time and a good ribbing.
Heck, Monday night Phillies fans booed one of the kids picking up baseballs in the outfield because he didn’t catch a fly ball, so yeah, puppies and sunshine should be on high alert.
Over on Threads, users posted: “How totally classless!” and “The Philly crowd booing every single player is really gross” and those people were rightfully and immediately ratioed. Philadelphians responded with brilliant retorts like: “If you don’t get booed in Philly, you’re not an All-Star” and “If those players didn’t want to be booed, they should play for the Phillies.”
You know who didn’t seem to have a problem with the boos? The players who actually got booed! They appeared to get it and have fun with it. Every story that’s really a home run needs a good antagonist and a dramatic arc. For that night, they were our Moriartys and we were theirs.
Phillies Bryce Harper climbs the ropes of the boxing ring during his introduction at the MLB Home Run Derby in Philadelphia on Monday.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
If you can’t stomach some theatrics when the Home Run Derby is broadcast on Netflix — there was a boxing ring on the field and Will Ferrell was providing unhinged commentary — then you probably should’ve watched the Little House on the Prairie remake instead, Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Listen, I understand being surprised by the boos if you’re not familiar with Philadelphia’s dark and dystopian joie de vivre. Before I moved here, I don’t think I’d ever booed anything in my life or had ever been booed, and I couldn’t imagine a scenario in which either would happen (outside of my nightmares and Renaissance fairs, that is).
But after 19 years in Philly, I can now proudly say I’ve been booed in person, over the phone, via email, and on social media by Philadelphians, and I have participated in many communal and individual booing sessions. I didn’t realize how cathartic it could be or how much I’d been suppressing my medieval side, but I know now and have vowed to boo better.
Philadelphia Phillies fans boo the Houston Astros after batting practice ahead of baseball’s World Series Game 5 in 2022. We boo people at batting practice and you’re surprised we booed players at the Home Run Derby? Charles Fox / Staff Photographer
Most recently, I booed a tourist I was interviewing on July 2 when she told me she was visiting Philly through the 3rd and then heading to Boston to celebrate Independence Day on July 4. I did give her a pass when she later said her son and grandson lived in Boston, but I did not apologize. We can’t be getting soft around here.
I mean this is a city where our mascots throw popcorn at babies, harass opposing coaches, and eat people while at work — and they’re the ultimate Philly fans, so expecting us to treat baseball like the ballet is totally bananas (and I’m not talking about the Savannahs).
For those who remain offended, I suggest looking in a mirror and asking: When is the last time I booed something? If the answer is “never” or “not in a while,” give it a go — you may not realize how much you’ve been holding back.
And if you don’t want to boo yourself, turn on a Phillies game and boo us. We’ll take the compliment, because we can take a joke.
