Jun 19, 2008 7:00 pm US/Eastern
The First Philadelphian And His First Lady
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
Ralph Archibold and Linda Wilde will be getting married in a
very public ceremony on the steps in front of Independence Hall on July 3.
A public ceremony of that magnitude would
seem a bit out of the ordinary for a normal couple; however these two are used
to life in the public eye.
Archibold, the nation's quintessential Ben Franklin
impersonator who spoke exclusively with CBS 3, tells us that he has long been
looking for a partner for his act.
"I've been waiting all this time to find the right woman and
this is the right woman."
That woman turned out to be Betsy Ross. The two first met when
Wilde chose to hire Archibold as Ben Franklin for a friend's wedding.
"When he was leaving, I said this is such a wonderful life
you have and he said I could use a Betsy Ross," said Wilde.
Philadelphia's
"first couple" found a love of history and education that soon evolved into love
for one another and talk of wedding bells. The wedding, uniting the two public
figures, will be a celebration for the city as well.
"It's going to be beautiful. How many people have Peter Nero
and the Philly Pops play at their wedding? How many people get married in front
of Independence Hall? It's totally unique," Archibold said.
The two even had wedding bands complete with a kite, key,
lightning bolt and a "wonderful" flag crafted for them by jeweler Henry David
to commemorate the special occasion.
The festivities will conclude with a private all American
reception at the City Tavern in Old
City.
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