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Come Hear the Reading of the Declaration of Independence on Historic Salem Common
For those of you that are early risers, or visitors that would like to spend the day in historic Salem, Massachusetts, join Mayor Kimberley Driscoll on Salem Common at 9:00 a.m. for the reading of the Declaration of Independence. Dressed in period garb, National Park Service Ranger Merrill Kohlhofer with his articulate and powerful voice will recite the words of this historic document.
The program also includes the National Anthem being performed by Salem High School (SHS) student Ryan Buchanan, who is President of the Tri-M Music Honor Society, and a member of the SHS Chamber Choir and Witch Pitch A Cappella Group. Ryan has also played leading and supporting roles in the SHS Drama Club musicals and plays trombone in the SHS marching band, concert band and symphony orchestra. Salem songstress Maureen Dalton will lead the crowd in singing America the Beautiful, accompanied by Salem's own Robert Kendall on the keyboard.
SALEM CELEBRATES THE 4TH
Sunday, July 4, at the Salem Maritime Historic Site on Derby Wharf.
Opening ceremonies begin at 7:15 p.m. with a military flyover, followed by a two hour 'POPS' concert by the Hillyer Festival Orchestra, a forty-piece ensemble with vocal soloists performing opera to Broadway favorites. A special intermission show will feature a sneak peek performance by members of the Salem State College Summer Theatre cast.. At 9:15 p.m. a magnificent fireworks display launched from Derby Wharf. For more information, log onto www.salem.com or please contact Salem City Hall at
978-745-9595, ext. 5676.
Pre-Concert Activities
Festivities begin at 4:00 p.m. with the opening of Kids' Space, an area filled with music provided by a local disc jockey entertaining youngsters with fun dances, contests and prizes galore. Free children's activities also take place all afternoon, including face painting, games, and crafts.
Food vending tents will also open at 4:00 p.m. and hot dogs, pizza, cold drinks, popcorn, desserts and more will be on sale all day. At 5:00 p.m., North Shore band Britannica will be the pre-concert entertainment on the Main Stage.
Part of the allure of this celebration is its setting. The first National Historic Site in the National Park System, Salem Maritime National Historic Site consists of nine acres of waterfront land and houses a dozen historic structures, including; the Custom House, where famed author Nathaniel Hawthorne worked; and, Derby Wharf, which was used by America's first millionaire Elias Hasket Derby, who made his fortune from this port of call. Looking out at historic Salem harbor with hundreds of boats moored and the replica of a 1700's sailing vessel, the Friendship, serving as a backdrop, Independence Day is truly felt as you are surrounded by the history that helped us to become an independent nation.
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