Jacksonville Beach, the DAR's Jean Ribault and Ponte Vedra chapters, and community groups across the Beaches will mark Constitution Day with a free public celebration Sept. 17 at Seawalk Pavilion.
The event, part of the nationwide America250 recognition of the nation's founding, runs from 3 to 4:15 p.m. and is open to the general public at no cost.
Sept. 17 marks the anniversary of the Constitution's signing in Philadelphia in 1787. Each year, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution chapters mark the date with small bell-ringing ceremonies, recalling the peal of Philadelphia's church bells when the document was signed. This year, the two local chapters are opening the tradition to the entire community.
"We're engaging the entire community in the celebration," said Sheila Young, editor of the Jean Ribault Chapter, DAR.
National DAR Historian General Cindy Addison, a Florida resident, will serve as guest speaker. Florida State Society DAR Regent Kim Zeman is also expected to attend. The Fletcher High School band and Paxon High School singers will perform patriotic music, and the Sons of the American Revolution will present a Colonial-era color guard. Local scouts will hand out American flags, pocket copies of the Constitution and bells for attendees to ring at 4 p.m., when churches throughout the Beaches communities will ring their own bells in unison.
Elected officials have been invited, and most are expected to attend, Young said, though none will speak in order to keep the event nonpartisan.
The DAR, founded in 1890 and granted a congressional charter in 1896, is a nonprofit, nonpolitical organization, and Young said this event will follow that same nonpartisan standard.
