For July 4th, Bennington Rotary Club and the Friends of the Bennington Battle Monument have teamed up to present an Independence Day celebration consisting of a reading of the Declaration of Independence, a car parade, and a ringing of the bell from the ship USS Bennington.

A dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence starts at noon at the Bennington Battle Monument, featuring living historians Michael and Phyllis Chapman. It concludes at about 1 pm with a car parade for attendees to the parking lot behind the Town Offices at 205 South St. Those driving are encouraged to decorate their vehicles, and an escort will lead the group.

The next phase is the ringing of the main bell from the U.S. Navy ship USS Bennington on the lawn of the town offices.

13 Rotarians will ring the USS Bennington's bell to honor each of the 13 original colonies. This "Fourteenth Bell-Ringer" honorary role is reserved for a person or organization that has made a positive difference in our community.

The Bennington Historical Society is being honored this year, and the bell will be rung by Joe Hall on behalf of the Society.

The bell ringing will begin at approximately 1:30 pm once the group from the Battle Monument arrives.

After the ceremony, attendees can ring the ship's bell themselves.