A Public Reading of the Declaration of Independence Draws Hundreds

Approximately 800 people gathered at the annual “A Public Reading of the Declaration of Independence” at Seasongood Pavilion in Cincinnati’s Eden Park on the morning of July 4, 2026 for a 50-minute celebration of the United States’ semiquincentennial.

Emceed by Paula Brehm-Heeger, 20 notables from the region (names listed below) gave a reading of the “immortal document that changed the world” infused with the spirit of 1776. Actor Burgess Byrd gave a moving recitation of “What Is an American?” an essay written in 1976 by Price Hill resident Winifred Wuennemann Bruening.

No Promises Vocal Band, a male a cappella group, delivered musical fireworks. A surprise appearance at the conclusion by Walnut Hills High School Marching Band Drumline sent the crowd marching home overflowing with Cincinnati pride for 250 years of American democracy.

The event was produced by Edward Schoelwer and the July Fourth Project in collaboration with Cincinnati Parks, Cincinnati and Hamilton County Library, Cincinnati Area League of Women Voters and Woman’s City Club with economic resource support from private donors, Cincinnati Bar Foundation, Churchill’s Fine Teas and Mt. Adams Civic Association.

Readers of the Declaration: Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney, Allen Bernard, Mary Tranch, Lakshmi Kode Sammarco, Polly Campbell, Charleston Wang, Leslie Ghiz, Ed Mathis, Monica Arenas-Cabrera, Jeff Berding, David Choate, Victoria Morgan, Debra Ruehlman, Julie Kirkpatrick, Mickey Abebe, Alfonso Cornejo, Ana Smith, Christopher McDowell,, Angela Qu, and Woody Keown.