A PUBLIC READING OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE Takes Place in EDEN PARK ON JULY 4TH

FEATURING 20 READERS FROM ACROSS CINCINNATI  WITH PERFORMANCES BY BURGESS BYRD AND NO PROMISES VOCAL BAND 

“A Public Reading of the Declaration of Independence” to honor America’s 250^th birthday, will take place on July 4^th, 2026, at 9:30 am at Seasongood Pavilion in Eden Park.  The “American Experiment” will be refreshed by this entertaining, fast-paced, free and family-friendly celebration and revival of an old Cincinnati tradition. 

A cohort of 20 distinguished citizens from Cincinnati will each read a “portion” of the Declaration of Independence. Cincinnati actor Burgess Byrd will read “What Is An American?”  No Promises Vocal Band will close the ceremony with a mini performance. 

Free parking is available in Eden Park, at Playhouse in the Park, and the Cincinnati Art Museum. 

In the 19^th century, in Cincinnati and all over the U.S.A., our Declaration of Independence was typically read aloud in public every 4^th of July.  It was a practice that promoted social cohesion among the huge waves of immigrants alongside the people who were already born on US soil.  But, after the Civil War, because it raised contentious conversations about equality and a state’s right to secede from the Union, the Declaration of Independence began to fall out of favor.  This year on July 4^th, for only the 2^nd time since 1926, Cincinnatians will gather in a public space to hear the words that changed the world: “…that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”  Social cohesion remains a critical asset for the nation even in the 21^st century.

Among those reading: 

Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney, Vice Mayor of Cincinnati      

Adrian Flores,Manager of El Barril, Mt. Adams      

Alfonso Cornejo, President, Hispanic Chamber Cincinnati USA            

Allen Bernard, Cincinnati Historian and Preservationist             

Angela Qu, Owner of Churchill’s Fine Teas                        

Charleston Wang, Esq, Wanglaw                                  

Christopher R. McDowell, Judge, Hamilton Co. Court of Common Pleas, Gen. Division    

David A. Choate, Jr, Producer & Founding Artistic Dir. of Revolution Dance Theatre 

Ed Mathis, V.P., Republic Commercial Real Estate, President Elect / Secretary Cincinnati Rotary Club                                                                                                                                 

Jeff Berding, Co-CEO FC Cincinnati     

Monica Arenas-Cabrera, Pres. BOD Casa de Paz, Social Worker Children’s Hospital

Julie Kirkpatrick, Visit Cincy Interim President & CEO

Lakshmi Kode Sammarco, MD, Hamilton County Coroner

Leslie Ghiz, Esq, Counsel at Bricker Graydon LLP     

Polly Campbell, Writer, Movers and Makers                                                                                

Sha’Myiah Mann, Senior, Withrow H.S., Member of Speak Up, Speak Out

Tarita Preston, Owner, Tarita Preston Coaching        

Ta’viana Freeman, Senior, Withrow H.S. member of Speak Up, Speak Out

Victoria Morgan, Artistic Director Emeritus, Cincinnati Ballet                                                 

Woody Keown, Jr, President & CEO Underground Railroad and Freedom Center

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Emcee: Paula Brehm-Heeger, Eva Jane Romaine Coombe Library Director, Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library                                                                               

Welcome address: Jason Barron, Cincinnati Parks Director 

Burgess Byrd, familiar to local theatergoers from her film work and performances for Greater Cincinnati’s vibrant theater scene, will read “What Is an American?”, an essay written in 1976 by Price Hill resident Winifred Wuennemann Bruening (1913 – 1996) for a national competition conducted by NBC and managed by WLWT.  In addition to opening the gathering by singing the National Anthem, No Promises Vocal Band, Cincinnati’s endearing all-male a cappella group, will give a mini-performance featuring favorites from their repertoire.

The event is organized by July Fourth Project in collaboration with Cincinnati Parks, Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library, the Cincinnati Area League of Women Voters & Woman’s City Club; and is made possible through generosity of the Cincinnati Bar Foundation, Mt. Adams Civic Association, Churchill’s Fine Teas, & private donors; with the support of Asianati, the Cincinnatus Association, Cincinnati Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Colonial Dames (NSCDA- OH), & Speak Up Speak Out.

Free parking is available in Eden Park, at Playhouse in the Park, and the Cincinnati Art Museum. The organizers suggest arriving early to find a seat, or bring your own.

For updates on the event go to julyfourthproject.com