What to Know
- Wawa will be giving away around 7 tons of Wawa Hoagies during Wawa Welcome America Wawa Hoagie Day tomorrow on June, 27, 2024.
- The free food block party will also feature some music from Voices of Service, a group of American veterans.
- "It’s always incredible to think about what Hoagie Day represents," Wawa CEO Chris Gheysens said. "While it’s certainly about building, serving, and donating our delicious hoagies, more than anything it’s about uniting our community, spreading positivity, and saluting those who serve our local and national communities in the days leading up to our nation’s birthday.”
The fireworks are the finale, the July 4th concert (featuring NE-YO and Kesha) is the main event, but Wawa Hoagie Day -- chock full of free food and fun -- is right behind both as one of the signature events of the free 16-day Wawa Welcome America festival in Philadelphia.
What does the 2024 summer day dedicated to the Delaware Valley's favorite sandwich have in store? Here's your guide:
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When is 2024 Wawa Hoagie Day in Philadelphia?
Come hungry on Thursday, June 27, 2024, at noon.
Wawa Welcome America
16 days of free events celebrating Freedom and Liberty | June 19 – July 4, 2024
Where is 2024 Wawa Hoagie Day being held?
Folks will start lining up for free Shortis along Arch Street between 5th and 6th streets near Independence Mall before noon (they normally do).
What can you expect at the free Wawa hoagie giveaway?
Lots of free sandwiches for sure as Wawa workers and volunteers will serve up about 25,000 Shorti hoagies, according to Wawa. Of those hoagies, 10,000 will be donated to Philabundance, the Veterans Multi-Service Center and Police Athletic League centers. The remaining 15,000 sandwiches will go to the general public.
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This event is also about giving back to those who serve and patriotism.
"Guests can enjoy entertainment, including a performance by Voices of Service, a singing quartet of military veterans, along with free admission to the National Constitution Center all day – which includes a special Wawa History exhibit showing their more than 100 years of Philadelphia roots," WWA organizers wrote.
The Hoagie Day festivities will be hosted by Preston Elliot and Casey Foster of 93.3 WMMR’s Preston & Steve Show. The radio personalities will host a pair of "hoagie-"Hoagies for Heroes" sandwich-building competitions as members of the Philadelphia Police Department and members of the Philadelphia Fire Department Ladder 2 go head-to-head and members of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard and Pennsylvania Air National Guard battle for sandwich supremacy. The winning teams will get $3,000 to a charity of their choice.
“Hoagie Day is always a special day for us at Wawa, and we are thrilled to once again host this celebration of service in the heart of America’s birthplace, our hometown city of Philadelphia,” Wawa CEO Chris Gheysens said. “This is
our 15th year as the title sponsor of Wawa Welcome America, and it’s always incredible to think about what Hoagie Day represents. While it’s certainly about building, serving, and donating our delicious hoagies, more than anything it’s about uniting our community, spreading positivity, and saluting those who serve our local and national communities in the days leading up to our nation’s birthday.”
In past year, around 150 volunteers spent all morning constructing tons of tastiness for the free lunch.
Besides the hoagies being devoured at the event, all 1,050 Wawa stores across several states will be donating 30 hoagies to "everyday heroes serving their local communities," Wawa said.
How did Wawa Hoagie Day come to be? What groups benefit?
"The first Wawa Hoagie Day took place in 1992 when the hoagie was proclaimed the 'Official Sandwich of Philadelphia' by then-Mayor Ed Rendell and featured 500 feet of hoagies," Wawa said. "The hoagies built for the 2024 event would span more than 12,500 feet if laid end to end."
Wawa and The Wawa Foundation have donated almost $12 million to the USO programs and services since 2011, the company said.
"During the Hoagie Day festivities, The Wawa Foundation will make a formal check presentation of $900,000 to
support USO programs from Wawa’s in-store customer fundraising campaign" Wawa said.
USO Regional President Rebecca Parkes will accept the check and talk of the group's mission.
