A 31-year Fourth of July tradition continues today on Independence Mall when Wawa gives out 15,000 free hoagies, writes Stephanie Farr for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

The giveaway is part of Wawa Welcome America, a week-long celebration in the city culminating with the Fourth of July..

About 150 energetic Wawa associates will start building 25,000 turkey Shortis beginning at 5 AM. They will receive encouragement from a Zoom message delivered by Eagles Center Jason Kelce.

The first 10,000 hoagies will be donated to Philabundance, the Veterans Muli-Service Center, and Police Athletic League centers.

The rest will be handed out to the public at noon today in front of the National Constitution Center.

Hoagie Day got started in 1992 when then-Gov. Ed Rendell named the hoagie the “Official Sandwich of Philadelphia.” 

Wawa began its hoagie giveaway in 2010.

The day includes a hoagie-building competition between Philadelphia police and fire departments and between the Pennsylvania Air National Guard and the Navy Talent Acquisition Group. Winners receive a $3,000 Wawa donation to their charity of choice.

The Wawa Foundation will also donate $800,000 raised in-store from customers to support USO programs.

Read more about the 31-year tradition of Wawa’s Hoagie Day event in The Philadelphia Inquirer.