Patriots in the Park: Commemorating The First Public Reading of The Declaration of Independence

Name: Patriots in the Park: Commemorating The First Public Reading of The Declaration of Independence
Start: 2026-7-8T17:00-4:00
End: 2026-7-8T20:00-4:00

Patriots in the Park: Commemorating The First Public Reading of The Declaration of Independence5:00 pm - 8:00 pm(GMT-04:00) Downtown Festival Park, 215 W Washington St, Suffolk, VA 23434

Event Details

July 8 is the 250th anniversary of the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence, which took place on July 8, 1776, in Philadelphia, four days after the document was adopted by the Continental Congress. Colonel John Nixon read the declaration to the public in what is now called Independence Square.

Partnering with Daughters of the American Revolution Suffolk Constantia Chapter, Suffolk Tourism is please to present Patriots in the Park: Commemorating The First Public Reading of The Declaration of Independence, Wednesday, July 8, 5:00 – 8:00pm, at Downtown Festival Park (215 W Washington St). Free and open to the public.

Activities include:

Official reading of the Declaration of Independence
Civil Air Patrol Presentation of Colors
National Anthem by Dr. Joleen Neighbours
The Second Ending Brass Quintet
Fife & Drum
Living History Reenactors
Merchants & Exhibitors
“All-American Picnic Food”