Community members and visitors are invited to join the Bennington Rotary Club on July 4 in the ringing of the original bell from the USS Bennington. This annual event includes a reading from the Declaration of Independence and a ceremonial ringing of the bell for each of the 13 original colonies. Each year a community group is asked to ring the bell for the 14th time, symbolizing Vermont's entry into the union as the 14th state. This year, the recognition goes to the students from the Village School of North Bennington in gratitude for their donation to Rotary's "Share the Heat" fuel assistance partnership with Green Mountain Power. Head of School Tim Newbold will be representing the school.

The USS Bennington was an Essex-class aircraft carrier that served the U.S. Navy from 1944 through 1970. When the ship was de-commissioned, its bell was entrusted to the Town of Bennington, and it is displayed year-round on the town office's lawn.

The bell is located in front of the Bennington town offices at 205 South Street in downtown Bennington. Please arrive by 1:30 pm, as the bell ringing program will begin at 1:40.

Both adults and children attending this ceremony will have a special chance to ring the bell themselves after the program ends.