July 2014 Historic Homes Newsletter- Your Source for July 4th Events

Looking for July 4th information?  Here are some local events:

The public is cordially invited to attend Northern Delaware’s annual 4th of July bell-ringing ceremony. At 2:00 Eastern Daylight Time, beginning with bells in Philadelphia, bells across New Castle and across the Nation will peal, officially commemorating the birth of American Independence. Children, families, friends and neighbors of all ages are cordially invited to attend the local ceremonies, at 1:25 at Immanuel Church on the Green. The bells will be rung at 2:00 pm. Then, thirteen children, representing the thirteen colonies, will ring a smaller bell, donated to the day’s event by the Old Courthouse Museum. ((Ken Oppenheimer)) will help coordinate the children’s bell-ringing efforts. 

LET FREEDOM RING—created in 1972—begins nationally with the tapping of the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia at 2:00 PM Eastern Daylight time. Each year over 100,000 Americans participate.

Hockessin DE July 4 Parade begins at 3pm at Old Lancaster Pike, Roads Closed: Old Lancaster Pike from Kenwick Road to Valley Road from 2:30pm through the end of the parade (approx. 4:15pm). The Fourth of July fireworks display begins at dusk near the Library, and can be seen from all over Hockessin.

Wilmington’s July 4th Celebration on the Riverfront begins with a free concert starting at 2:00 p.m., and will feature live musical performances from MINSHARA, a Harrisburg-based rock band, the blues and soul sounds of Deb Callahan, the Latin music rhythms of Miguel Orlando, with R&B hits played by Mozaic Flow, finishing the evening will be the high energy performance of Washington, D.C.'s Familiar Faces, followed by our celebrated fireworks display at dusk.There will also be historical reenactments, games, rides, arts, face painting, magicians, crafts, as well as a crab feast, and various food and drink vendors. Traffic will be restricted, see website.

Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square PA will have a Fireworks and Fountains display at 9:15 p.m. on July 4. See Longwood's webpage for details and admission.

                                 Dover DE Independence Day activities include having buildings on the Green open, movies, walking tours, children's activities, a parade, the 287th Army Band ( I heard them this weekend, and they are GOOD), and fireworks. Dover July 4th details here. They will join in the Let Freedom Ring ceremonies at 2 p.m.

The Delaware History Museum on Market St. in Wilmington is now closed for major renovations, but do check their website to learn what happened this week in history. Such as: This week, the State of Delaware officially repealed Prohibition in 1933. The 18th Amendment to the Constitution, which prohibited the sale of alcohol across the country, had been in effect since 1920. Delaware was the 6th state to repeal Prohibition, on June 24, 1933. The 21st Amendment, which formally repealed Prohibition across the country, was ratified later that year on December 5th.  And you can drink to that! 

Don't forget our Delaware historic homes for sale featured in past blog posts: The Webster House and Tomahawk Manor.