AVON, CT — The Avon America 250 Committee is inviting residents to celebrate the nation's 250th anniversary with a series of free community events throughout July.
Those include an audio time capsule, a synchronized church bell ringing, a public reading of the Declaration of Independence, and a lecture series on the American Revolution.
The events are part of Avon's local observance of the United States' semiquincentennial and are open to the public unless otherwise noted.
The "250 Star-Spangled Seconds: An Audio Time Capsule and Podcast Event" will take place Saturday, July 4, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Avon History Museum, 8 East Main St.
Residents of all ages are invited to record a 250-second reflection on what America's 250th anniversary means to them, memories of the nation's 1976 Bicentennial or the significance of Independence Day.
Organizers say recordings may be featured in a future episode of the Avon Talks podcast and edited into an audio time capsule commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Those wishing to participate are encouraged to schedule a recording time by emailing . Additional information is available by calling 860-678-7621.
Also on July 4, churches throughout Avon are expected to ring their bells 13 times at 2 p.m., representing the nation's original 13 colonies.
The synchronized ringing is part of the nationwide Bell Ringing for America's 250th initiative, which encourages communities across the country to commemorate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.
Avon America 250 Bike Parade
Avon Recreation & Parks is inviting residents of all ages to decorate their bicycles and join a community bike parade celebrating America's 250th anniversary on Tuesday, July 7.
The Avon 250 Bike Parade will begin at 5:30 p.m. at Pine Grove School, 151 Scoville Road, and conclude at approximately 6 p.m. with a concert at Sycamore Hills Recreation Area, 635 W. Avon Road.
A rain date is scheduled for Thursday, July 9.
The free event is part of Avon's ongoing America 250 celebration and is designed to bring together families, friends, and neighbors for an evening of patriotic festivities.
Participants are encouraged to decorate their bicycles in red, white, and blue and help celebrate the nation's semiquincentennial.
In addition to the parade, organizers have planned:
Registration is requested through avonrec.com.
The event is presented by Avon Recreation & Parks in partnership with the Girl Scouts of Connecticut as part of Avon's yearlong America 250 celebration.
Residents are also invited to attend a community reading of the Declaration of Independence on Wednesday, July 8, at 7 p.m. at the Avon Senior Center, 635 West Avon Road. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
The interactive program will highlight Connecticut's four signers of the Declaration—Roger Sherman, William Williams, Oliver Wolcott and Samuel Huntington—while exploring the events surrounding the document's first public reading on July 8, 1776.
Participation materials will be provided, and registration is not required.
Historian Dr. Matthew Warshauer, a professor of history at Central Connecticut State University, will present a free three-part lecture series on Thursday evenings in July beginning at 6:30 p.m.
The schedule includes:
Registration is requested for each lecture through the Avon Free Public Library website.
More information about Avon's America 250 celebration is available at www.avonct.gov/avon250.
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