PHILADELPHIA, PA–(Marketwire – December 6, 2010) –  Mayor Michael A. Nutter announced today that the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DRWC) will continue to produce not one but two fireworks shows this New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2010, due to the generous support of the new presenting sponsor, SugarHouse Casino. In addition to the traditional show at Midnight, there will again be an earlier show at 6:00 PM, with Twice the Fireworks, Twice the Fun, presented by SugarHouse Casino. Both shows will be choreographed to unique soundtracks and launched from barges in the middle of the Delaware River with clear views from both Philadelphia and Camden. 

“Thanks to the generosity of SugarHouse Casino and our community partners, hundreds of thousands of families will enjoy a variety of New Year’s Eve celebrations that have become a local tradition,” said Mayor Nutter. “I want to thank everyone who participated in this collaborative effort for once again providing two spectacular fireworks displays along the Delaware River waterfront. The fun activities surrounding the holiday season always deliver an important boost to our local economy and we appreciate everyone’s hard work in providing Philadelphia’s residents and visitors with another wonderful celebration to ring in the New Year.”

SugarHouse Casino is the presenting sponsor of the 2010 Twice the Fireworks, Twice the Fun Waterfront Fireworks. “SugarHouse is Philly’s casino, and we’re thrilled to help ensure our City’s New Year’s celebration is a blast,” said Wendy Hamilton, SugarHouse Casino’s General Manager. “Our waterfront location is a prime spot to enjoy the show. We’re going to have one of the best parties in town.”

Visitors to both the Philadelphia and Camden waterfronts will be able to hear the synchronized soundtracks for the fireworks from speakers on the Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing and Wiggins Park in Camden. KYW Newsradio will also broadcast the official soundtracks to both shows to allow revelers wherever they are watching to tune to 1060 AM to enjoy the fireworks displays with their coordinating soundtracks. CBS 3 will televise the traditional fireworks show live at Midnight, along with a special pre show leading up to the countdown so the entire Greater Philadelphia region can ring in the New Year with a bang.

“Being able to continue the additional show at 6:00 PM for a second year is a great opportunity. As an addition to the traditional show at Midnight, the earlier show greatly expands the audience for New Year’s Eve celebrations, appealing to families with young children and those who would otherwise be somewhere else at Midnight,” said Tom Corcoran, president of DRWC. “Thousands came out to both fireworks shows on both sides of the river last year and we’re hoping for an even greater turnout this year now that there’s a precedent for the new earlier show.”

Mayor Michael A. Nutter, together with Camden Mayor Dana Redd, spoke to this exciting opportunity for both cities. Twice the Fireworks, Twice the Fun will have twice the economic impact.

Be sure to kick off the festive, four-day weekend with two fireworks shows at Penn’s Landing and continue into 2011 with the day-long Mummers Parade, the Fancy Brigade Finale at the Pennsylvania Convention Center and a massive but unofficial New Year’s night party on Two Street. Be sure to skate in the new year, the Blue Cross RiverRink at Penn’s Landing is open seven days a week including all holidays and offers special ice skating parties during each fireworks show, for details visit www.riverrink.com.

“The New Year’s Eve fireworks shows are an excellent example of how public-private partnerships contribute not only to the City’s quality of life but also to its economic growth,” said Meryl Levitz, president and CEO, Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation. “Twenty years ago, the fireworks were introduced as a way to generate overnight stays and increase leisure travel. Since then, more and more people have scheduled weddings, family reunions and parties over New Year’s Eve which generates revenue through our hotels, restaurants and attractions. And with two New Year’s Eve fireworks shows and the long holiday weekend, it will be twice the fun. Which is why we say Twice the Fireworks, Twice the Fun, Stay Two Nights.”

Throughout the long weekend, visitors can enjoy a vibrant dining scene, performing arts aplenty, galleries galore and holiday lights everywhere round out the holiday offerings in Philadelphia. To get it all in, visitors are encouraged to stay twice the nights through January 2, 2011. It’s best to book early at www.visitphilly.com they can learn the latest on all the New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day weekend happenings.

Twice the Fireworks, Twice the Fun are presented by SugarHouse Casino. They are produced by the Delaware River Waterfront Corporation with support from the City of Philadelphia, the GPTMC, the City of Camden, Coopers Ferry Development Association, KYW Newsradio and CBS 3.

ABOUT THE GREATER PHILADELPHIA TOURISM MARKETING CORPORATION (GPTMC): The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) makes Philadelphia and The Countryside^® a premier destination through marketing and image building that increases business and promotes the region’s vitality. For more information about travel to Philadelphia, visit visitphilly.com or uwishunu.com. Or, call the Independence Visitor Center, located in Historic Philadelphia, at (800) 537-7676.

ABOUT SUGARHOUSE CASINO: SugarHouse Casino, opened in September 2010, is Philadelphia’s first casino. SugarHouse features 1,600 slots, up to 40 table games, fun and unique dining options, riverfront views and free on-site parking. The casino employs approximately 900 people and is one of 10 operating casinos in Pennsylvania. For more information, visit www.sugarhousecasino.com.

ABOUT DRWC: The Delaware River Waterfront Corporation (DRWC) is a nonprofit corporation organized exclusively for the benefit of the City of Philadelphia and its citizens. DRWC acts as the steward of the Delaware River waterfront to provide a benefit to all of the citizens and visitors of the City.

The fundamental purpose of DRWC is to design, develop and manage the central Delaware River waterfront in Philadelphia between Oregon and Allegheny Avenues. DRWC intends to transform the central Delaware River waterfront into a vibrant destination location for recreational, cultural, and commercial activities for the residents and visitors of Philadelphia. DRWC will serve as a catalyst for high quality investment in public parks, trails, maritime, residential, retail, hotel and other improvements that create a vibrant amenity, extending Philadelphia to the river’s edge.

DRWC is open, transparent and accountable in connection with its operations and activities with respect to the waterfront. Through the judicious use of financing, land acquisition and development capabilities, the Corporation will work cooperatively with city, state and federal agencies to ensure the realization of the City’s vision for the central Delaware River.