Made In America Staying On Ben Franklin Parkway: Officials

PHILADELPHIA – The Made In America music festival isn't going anywhere, according to officals with the City of Philadelphia.

An agreement between Mayor Jim Kenney and Roc Nation, which hosts the event, was reached Monday to keep the event on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway after officials said the event would no longer be held there.

Kenney met with Desiree Perez, the Chief Operating Officer of Roc Nation, Monday to strike the agreement.

"I am greatly appreciative of everything that Made in America has done for the City of Philadelphia and I remain committed to its continued success," Kenney said in a statement." The Made in America festival belongs in Philadelphia – the birthplace of our country – and I’m optimistic that we can turn an unfortunate misunderstanding into a positive outcome and even stronger event. I look forward to working with Roc Nation and Live Nation, and maintaining this Philadelphia tradition for years to come."

Perez said "any miscommunication" between Roc Nation and the city has been corrected.

"We are happy to announce the Made in America festival will continue at the heart of the Philadelphia, the Benjamin Franklin Parkway for many years to come," she said in a statement. "After a candid and constructive discussion with the Mayor, we are confident any miscommunication is corrected, and we are proactively addressing any concerns. We are committed to bringing the best experience possible to Philadelphians and all music lovers as well as the continuing prosperity of the city."

News that the parkway would not host the event broke last week, prompting Jay Z, the founder of Roc Nation and the festival, to write a piece for the Philadelphia Inquirer wherein he likened the decision to nix the festival from the parkway to an eviction.

Patch file photo