PHILADELPHIA, June 2, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Celebrate Islamic Heritage with the debut of a unique traveling Islamic Museum at the Islamic Festival, presented by the Islamic Cultural Preservation and Information Council (ICPIC) as part of PECO Energy Multicultural Series. This FREE event will take place on the Great Plaza at Penn's Landing, Columbus Boulevard and Chestnut Street on June 12, 2004 from Noon-8:00 p.m. Independence Blue Cross is the presenting sponsor of the 2004 Summer Season.
A one of a kind traveling Islamic museum will be on display this year which exhibits the history of Islam in America through the eye-catching photographs of early Muslim American personalities as well as contemporary figures. The exhibit includes three galleries: `Through Muslim Eyes "Discover Islam" Exhibit,' `Muslims in Antebellum America' and `ICPIC New Africa Hall of Fame.'
The festival will kick off with a "Unity in Diversity Community Parade," featuring Youth Groups, Drill Teams, Schools and Community Organizations from across the Delaware Valley. Following the parade's arrival at the festival, an award ceremony will be take place on the stage.
A variety of local, national and international merchants will be on hand selling an assortment of goods and services from around the world including Islamic arts and crafts at the open market. Offering something for everyone in the family, the day's events will also present games for children, boat rides and a health fair.
In addition to the bazaar and activities, stage entertainment will be provided throughout the day beginning at 1:00 p.m. World-renowned UPK Generals will perform as well as the Universal African Dancers, the Association of Islamic Charitable Project's Madiah Chores, young musical prodigy Mateo Jimminez, Jazz artist Mo' Freedom with vocalist Marian Salaam. Other musical groups will also feature multicultural performance groups as well as young aspiring rap artist.
Supporting the region's diverse communities has been a longstanding goal for PECO, who has sponsored the multicultural festivals at Penn's Landing for the past ten years. "All of us at PECO Energy are thrilled to return again to the waterfront to support the multicultural festivals," said PECO president Denis O'Brien. "Penn's Landing is a Philadelphia summertime tradition and the PECO Energy Multicultural Series is a fun way for us to celebrate the wide range of diversity represented in our service territory."
Admission is free for all PECO Multicultural Series events.
PECO Energy is proud to be Philadelphia's hometown energy company and one of the region's most prominent civic supporters. PECO is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and celebrating diversity inside and outside the Company.
Based in Philadelphia, PECO Energy is an electric and natural gas utility subsidiary of Exelon Corporation (NYSE:EXC). PECO serves 1.5 million electric and 456,000 natural gas customers in southeastern Pennsylvania. In 2003, its sales exceeded 36,753 gigawatt hours (gWh) of electricity and 88.2 billion cubic feet of natural gas to residential, business and institutional customers. PECO's energy delivery services generated $4.38 billion in revenue for Exelon. PECO is one of the largest employers and most active corporate citizens in the Greater Philadelphia Region.
Penn's Landing is Philadelphia's Waterfront district, running along Columbus Boulevard from Washington Avenue to Spring Garden Street. The two main sites for the more than 75 festivals, concerts, and events at Penn's Landing are the Great Plaza, located along the Delaware River at Columbus Boulevard and Chestnut Street, and Festival Pier, on Columbus Boulevard and Spring Garden Street. For more information on event locations and event details, call (215) 922-2FUN or visit www.pennslandingcorp.com. Independence Blue Cross is the presenting sponsor of the 2004 Summer Season at Penn's Landing.