Taken By Fourth

by Tami Fertig

all-consuming weekend party

When two million visitors crash here for the weekend, you can bet Philadelphia's going to be sweaty. An anticipated influx of such proportions calls for careful preparation: Stock up on deodorant, avoid smelly buildup near the Parkway and think of shady places. No need to escape entirely, though: Independence Day celebrations happening elsewhere in and around the nation's original capital make a mean case for your attendance. Good luck out there, people.

Convince yourself the National Constitution Center is really outer space for "May the Fourth Be With You," which offers weekend-long screenings of the original Star Wars trilogy. Attempt, and fail, to defy gravity in the moonbounce. (Movie screenings, Fri.-Mon., July 1-4, 11 a.m.- 4 p.m.; moonbounce, Sat.-Mon., July 2-4, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; 525 Arch St., 215-409-6600, www.constitutioncenter.org.)

Independence Seaport Museum celebrates its 10-year anniversary of being located at Penn's Landing. Tour the visiting ships' decks (pictured, top) while pretending to be a pirate, and play maritime-themed games. The real loot: "It's always cooler on the waterfront," says event coordinator Tania Karpinich. (Sat., July 2, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., free with museum admission of $6-$9, 211 S. Columbus Blvd., 215-413-8631, www.phillyseaport.org.)

Stop at the All-You-Can-Eat Ice Cream extravaganza, Joshua Kahan Fund's annual benefit for children with leukemia. Just 'cause. (Sat.-Mon., July 2-4, noon-5 p.m., $5, Festival Pier at Penn's Landing, Delaware Ave. and Spring Garden sts., 215-922-2FUN.)

Then, with a bellyful of dairy products, hit the road for old Fort Mifflin. Volunteers will dress as soldiers from the Revolutionary War to the 1970s. Should be relaxing: A shortage of re-enactors this year means no fake fighting. "We'll have weapons demonstrations and shoot off a cannon," says event co-organizer Lorraine Irby. "But there's not going to be a battle." (Sat., July 2, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., $3-$6, Fort Mifflin Rd., 215-685-4167.)

Back in town, follow the Signers Day bagpiper from the Visitors Center lawn (at Sixth and Market sts.) to Christ Church Burial Ground (Fifth and Arch sts.). Look at graves of Declaration of Independence signers before heading to Christ Church (Second above Market sts.) for the main event: a short play about the revolutionary Reverend Jacob Duch, who, pre-Declaration, crossed out the king's prayers and wrote in his own. "We've done research on who would have been sitting where in the church," says church spokeswoman Michelle Stock. "So you can read a little biography about the person who once sat in your seat." (Sun., July 3, 2:30 p.m. at Visitors Center lawn, free, 215-922-1695, www.christchurchphila.org.)

The crucial day features the usual ceremonial tapping of the Liberty Bell and — more exciting this year — the ringing of the Normandy Bell (left), an exact replica of our city's original symbol before it cracked. No living person has ever heard the Liberty Bell's peal, but no worries should you miss Normandy's: On July 5, when the bell returns to the National Constitution Center, "everyone will be able to ring it," says museum spokeswoman Denise Venuti Free. Unlimited ringing. Mmm. (Mon., July 4, 2 p.m., Liberty Bell Center, 501 Market St., 215-597-8974.)

And at the garden behind City Tavern, colonial re-enactors who have fled their regular posts at old Fort Mifflin perform historical tidbits. The bill of fare, prepared and explained by chef-proprietor Walter Staib (above), comes directly from the first-ever Fourth of July celebration, which took place at the tavern in 1777. The feast will include "George Washington and Thomas Jefferson's original recipes for ale on tap, brewed by Yards exclusively for City Tavern," says director of operations Thomas Lamb. (Mon., July 4, noon-6 p.m., 38 S. Second St., 215-413-1443.)

If you survive this far, feel free to end the evening with a Sunoco Welcome America! bang — Elton John and fireworks! (Mon., July 4, 10:30 p.m., 26th St. and the Parkway.)