Annual 4th of July Bell-Ringing Ceremony
Date Posted: Wednesday, June 21st, 2023
4th of July 2023 Bell-Ringing Ceremony
in Historic New Castle, Delaware
https://newcastlecity.delaware.gov/files/2023/06/Bell-Ringing-Ceremony.pdf
LET FREEDOM RING
–
Join us as we celebrate the 4th of July and the 18th century
Delawareans who gathered in New Castle to support the signing of the Declaration of
lndependence.
Children and families of all ages, regardless of age, faith, race or ethnicity, are cordially invited
to attend historic New Castle’s bell-ringing ceremony, which will be held at lmmanuel Church on
the Green from 1:30-2:30 pm on the 4th of July. This free annual event is part of an ongoing
national ceremony. When the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia is tapped, bells in Philadelphia and
across the nation will ring simultaneously, to officially commemorate the birth of American
lndependence.
Please be inside lmmanuel by 1:20 pm as the program begins at 1:30 sharp. Guests will remain
seated for the pealing of the church bells at 2:00 p.m., then children, representing the thirteen
colonies, will ring a smaller bell donated to the day’s event by the Old Courthouse Museum.
This year’s keynote speaker will be author Bruce E. Mowday who lives in Downingtown,
Pennsylvania. He specializes in books about local history, business, sports, and true crime.
Mowday is the author of Lafayette at Brandywine: The Making of an American Hero, released
by New York’s Barricade Publishing. His upcoming book, Lafayette: America’s Young Hero &
Guest, was written by Mowday and American Friends of Lafayette President Alan R. Hoffman.
Original illustrations have been contributed by Chadds Ford artist Shay Aubrey Allen. For more
information, contact Mowday at mowday@mowday.com or send a message through the
Facebook page.
Re-enactors, children, docents and all who love wearing 18th century garb are invited to come
dressed in period attire, although ordinary casual clothing is welcomed. Visitors will enjoy
exploring the graveyard where a number of colonial settlers and local Revolutionary soldiers
are buried. Social distancing and masks are encouraged but not required.
