Fourth of July Celebrations in the National Park Service

Many parks celebrate Independence with special events and programming. We invite everyone to join in the following celebrations of Independence at National Park Service sites this year.

Colorado

Colorado National Monument
4th of July Celebration at Colorado National Monument: Colorado National Monument will commemorate Independence Day by raising Old Glory 450 vertical feet from the canyon floor to the top of Independence Monument, the tallest free-standing rock formation in the park. As thirty-plus rock climbers scale Independence Monument, two interpretive programs will take place at scenic overlooks along the rim of Wedding and Monument canyons. After the last climber works his way through the final crux move of the climb, the climbing team will gather to raise the flag. As the Stars and Stripes begin to show, trumpeters will play “The Star- Spangled Banner.” The music will echo across the canyons. This tradition was started over ninety-eight years ago by the legendary John Otto. Today, Mesa County’s Technical Search and Rescue Team continue the tradition of raising the flag every Fourth of July.

From 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., take the guided walk “Raising Old Glory – John Otto’s Style.” Meet at the Otto’s Trailhead 1 mile east of the visitor center on Rim Rock Drive and join a park ranger for a short walk to the breathtaking overlook at the end of Otto’s Trail. Learn about John Otto’s classic tradition for July 4. Watch rock climbers from Mesa County’s Technical Search and Rescue Team scale Independence Monument and raise the flag. Bring water and sunscreen and wear sturdy walking shoes. Distance: 1.0 mile roundtrip.

From 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., attend the Ranger Talk “A Monumental Independence Celebration.” Meet at Independence Monument View Overlook. Come celebrate the raising of the American flag on top of Independence Monument. Listen to stories of the legendary John Otto, watch rock climbers from Mesa County’s Technical Search and Rescue Team scale Otto’s original route, and hear patriotic music resonate across the canyons as the Stars and Stripes is raised. Bring water and wear sunscreen.

For more information about the celebration, please contact Michelle Wheatley at (970) 858-3617 ext. 363 or visit the park website at http://www.nps.gov/colm/

Hawai'i

World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument
Survivors ring bell for freedom: Join the national effort to Let Freedom Ring at the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument Visitor Center. Pearl Harbor survivors from the Aloha Chapter of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association will ring the bell of the USS Arizona battleship on the morning of Saturday, July 4, 2009. This historic bell is one of two bells removed from the USS Arizona and is preserved by the National Park Service. Its companion bell is housed at the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona.

Survivors will ring the bell thirteen times for the thirteen original states at exactly 8:00 a.m. Hawaiian Time (2:00 p.m. Eastern Time). This event is synchronized with over ten thousand bells nationwide, including the Liberty Bell itself.

Following the bell ringing event, survivors will speak of their own personal experiences of December 7, 1941 and World War II. They will be available for pictures and book signing after the short, formal presentation. In 1963, an act of Congress officially authorized the Let Freedom Ring National Bell Ringing Ceremony.

For more information, please call 1-800-330-1776 or visit www.let-freedom-ring.org.

Illinois

Lincoln Home National Historic Site
Capitol City Celebration (the evening of July 3 thru July 4, 2009) - A variety of period games, performances and activities will take place as part of the City of Springfield’s Bicentennial celebration. For more information about this program, contact the park at (217) 391-3226 or visit the park website at http://www.nps.gov/liho/

Kansas

Fort Larned National Historic Site
Volunteers on the Plains 1859 to 2009: July 3 & 4, 2009 - This special event honors volunteer units manning Fort Larned during the Indian Wars and 21st Century heroes. Special ceremonies and living history memorialize contributions by volunteer state militia replacing regular army troops redeployed east to fight in the Civil War. 21st Century military and civilian emergency responders will demonstrate equipment and field operations. A special dedication of a Medal of Honor replica recognizing Medal of Honor recipients from Fort Larned’s past and Kansans will be conducted. For more information about this program, contact the park at (620) 285-6911 or visit the park website at http://www.nps.gov/fols/

Tall Grass Prarie National Preserve
July 3, 4 and 5—Independence Day at the Ranch: On Friday, enjoy a day of music and clogging in the historic barn. Clogging demonstrations at 10:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Historic barn dance from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. with the Tallgrass Express String band. Refreshments served.

On Saturday, ride in a covered wagon, watch historic cooking demonstrations, and see the blacksmith hard at work.

On Sunday, join in the historic games of an old-fashioned egg toss, rope jumping, hoop and stick, and a lively bucket brigade. Activities will take place from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Refreshments will be served.

For more information, please call the park at (620) 273-8494 (Ranch Headquarters Information Station) or (620) 273-6034 (Administrative Headquarters) or visit the park website at http://www.nps.gov/tapr/

Kentucky

Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Site
Independence Day Programs: July 4, 2009, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm - Costumed interpreters from the Frazier International History Museum, Louisville, KY will present two special hour long programs, “Young Abe” at 11:00 a.m. and “Day in a Soldiers Life: the American Civil War” at 2:00 p.m. In addition there will be a living history program with demonstrations about military life during the Civil War. Demonstrations will be from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. (ET). For more information about this program, contact the park at (270) 358-3137 or visit the park website at http://www.nps.gov/abli/

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
Golden Anniversary Dedication Celebration: July 4, 2009 - The July 4th, 1959 weekend was a buzz as local residents and dignitaries celebrated the dedication of the new Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. 50 years later, the excitement continues with the purchase of lands surrounding Fern Lake and the recently restored Wilderness Road Trail. Festivities galore will mark this day. Activities will be at the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park visitor center. For more information about this program, contact the park at (606) 248-2817 or visit the park website at http://www.nps.gov/cuga/

Maryland

Antietam National Battlefield
Salute to Independence: July 5th, 2009 - Concert starts at 7:30 p.m., Fireworks at approximately 9:45 p.m. There is a minimum one hour to ninety minute traffic delay when leaving the event so be patient. Be sure to bring a blanket, plenty of water or soft drinks, and a flashlight. Sharpsburg Volunteer Fire Department and Emergency Medical Service sells food and drinks at the event. Be prepared for large crowds of up to 30,000 people. Limited parking is available in the park and additional parking can be found on Rt. 65 and Rt. 34 bordering the park. For more information about this program, contact the park at ( 301) 432-5124 or visit the park website at http://www.nps.gov/anti/

Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
The Glorious Fourth!...an Old-Fashioned Fourth of July! - Saturday, July 4, 12 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.: July 4th was the most important holiday in early America. Many regarded the War of 1812 as “America’s Second War of Independence.” Join the garrison of Fort McHenry and patriotic citizens of Baltimore for the following activities: fife and drum music, cannon firing, a musket salute for 18 states, period dancing and games. Highlight of the event will be the public reading of the Declaration of Independence at 3 p.m. For more information, please call the park at (410) 962-4290 or visit the park website at http://www.nps.gov/fomc/

Massachusetts

Adams National Historical Park
Liberty or Loyalty: Take a Stand: On Sunday, July 5, 2009, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Join the Continental Congress and debate independence with the future President, John Adams. Admission $1-$5, Massachusetts school children free. Old State House at the corner of State Street and Washington Street in Boston. For more information, please call (617) 720-1713.

Boston African American National Historic Site
Freedom’s Trial: A Unique Walking Tour Offered by Boston African American National Historic Site: On Tuesday, June 30, 2009, Thursday, July 2, 2009, and on Saturday, July 4, 2009 at 11:00 a.m., join a National Park Service ranger on a special ninety-minute walking tour focusing on the time when the promises of the American Revolution were “on trial” in Boston’s nineteenth-century African American community. Developed in conjunction with Boston National Historical Park, this new tour will take you to places where Boston’s developing black community struggled to realize the full promise of citizenship. Hear the stories of men and women, black and white, who worked to secure freedom and equal rights for all. Learn of the struggle to maintain churches, the ongoing fight for equal school rights, the Abolition Movement, and the burgeoning social welfare services and organizations of the community. Tours will start at the Samuel Adams statue in front of Faneuil Hall in Boston and conclude at the African Meeting House on Beacon Hill. Tours are free and open to the public. For more information and to RSVP, please call (617) 742-5415. For more information about Boston African American National Historic Site, please visit the park website at www.nps.gov/boaf .

Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area
Boston Light Climbing Adventure: On Thursday, July 2, 2009, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. A guided tour of Little Brewster Island, site of the first lighthouse in the nation, meet the keep and cruise the outer Brewster islands. The boat leaves from Fan Pier at the Moakley Courthouse, Northern Avenue, South Boston. Admission $40-$48, reservations recommended. For more information, please call (617) 223-8666.

Kayaking at Grape Island: On Thursday, July 2, 2009, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Take the water shuttle from Georges Island to Grape Island and kayak around the island with an experienced ranger. Admission $8-$14 for ferry, space is limited. Boston Harbor Islands Ferry Kiosk, Long Wharf, Boston. For more information, please call (617) 223-8666.

Boston National Historical Park
Rum and Revolution: On Wednesday, July 1, 2009, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Join a ranger-guided walking tour of colonial taverns where the Revolution was brewed! Tours begin at the Boston National Historical Park visitor center at 15 State Street. Space is limited. For more information, please call (617) 242-5642.

Join the Colonial Militia!: On Thursday, July 2, 2009, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Learn about the life of an eighteenth-century soldier. The program will take place at the Battle of Bunker Hill Museum in Monument Square, Charlestown. For more information, please call (617) 242-5601.

A Flag for the Fourth: On Saturday, July 4, 2009, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., learn about the flags of the American Revolution. The program will take place at the Boston National Historical Park visitor center at 15 State Street. Space is limited. For more information, please call (617) 242-5642.

USS Constitution Turnaround Cruise: On Saturday, July 4, 2009, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Old Ironsides gets underway to fire a twenty-one-gun salute to the nation. The cruise goes from Charlestown Navy Yard to the US Coast Guard base. For more information, please call (617) 242-7511.

“Cock..Firelock! Present..Fire!:” On Saturday, July 4, 2009, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., demonstration of eighteenth-century military skills. The program will take place at the Bunker Hill Monument in Charlestown. For more information, please call (617) 242-5601.

The Battle for Bunker Hill: On Saturday, July 4, 2009, from 2:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m., join a ranger-guided walking tour of the famous battlefield. Space is limited. For more information, please call (617) 242-5601.

Twisted Times: On Saturday, July 4, 2009, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., learn about the craft of rope making. Take part in this hands-on activity at the Charlestown Navy Yard visitor center. For more information, please call (617) 242-5601.

USS Constitution Sunset Parade: On Sunday, July 5, 2009, from 6:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., experience the traditional ceremony honoring our nation's flag at Pier One, Charlestown Navy Yard, in Boston National Historical Park. For more information, please call (617) 242-7511.

For more information, please contact Sean Hennessey at (617) 242-5616.

Nebraska

Homestead National Monument of America
Fourth of July Campfire Program: Homestead National Monument of America will be hosting its annual Fourth of July Campfire Program. The program series will begin on Saturday, July 4 at 7:30 p.m. behind the Education Center (old visitor center). First, musician Chris Sayre will entertain with patriotic songs from the 18th Century to today. Then join a Park Ranger to discuss the meaning of patriotism. Campfire programs are held outdoors unless inclement weather occurs. Visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, insect repellant, and drinking water for comfort. “Campfire programs are a summer tradition in America’s national parks,” according to Mark Engler, Superintendent of Homestead National Monument of America. “The Fourth of July is a great time for us to begin our annual campfire programs.”

Homestead National Monument of America is a unit of the National Park System located four miles west of Beatrice, Nebraska on State Highway 4. The monument is open 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. every day, including Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free of charge. For additional information, please call (402) 223-3514 or visit www.nps.gov/home.

New Jersey

Morristown National Historical Park
Saturday, July 4; noon: Warm-Up for the Declaration. Stories, riddles, jokes and an inspection of the troops are just part of the warm-up activities prior to our reading of the Declaration of Independence. Join in the fun as a costumed park ranger entertains the crowd and gives a “kids level” explanation of the Declaration. Ford Mansion Grounds.

Saturday, July 4; 1:00 p.m.: Public Reading of the Declaration of Independence. Celebrate the Fourth of July the way our ancestors did, with a public reading of the Declaration of Independence. Cheer along with costumed park rangers as they denounce tyranny and praise liberty! Ford Mansion Grounds.

For more information about Morristown NHP's July 4th events, please call (973) 539-2016 ext. 210 (Washington's Headquarters) or (973) 543-4030 (Jockey Hollow).

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