Special to the Journal

The Battle of Elizabethtown chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will host the annual ringing of the courthouse bell Saturday in Elizabethtown.

The event commemorates the signing of the U.S. Constitution. This year the bell at the corner of Courthouse Street and East Broad will be rung 218 times, one for each year since the signing.

Mary Anne Petteway of the local DAR chapter said church groups, Boy and Girl Scouts, and especially veterans are invited to come and participate in the bell ringing.

Members of Ashe's Volunteers and Williams' Company, a Revolutionary War living history group, will also attend this year's event in period clothing.

"We just want everyone to come out and help celebrate our freedom," Petteway said. "Anyone is welcome to come out and ring the bell a few times."

The event will also be coordinated across the country. Churches and civic groups from every state will ring bells in salute to the signing at 4 p.m.

Petteway said organizers hope that this year's event, since the anniversary falls on a Saturday, will draw a crowd.

"The Constitution isn't just an important part of our country's history," she said, "it's something we enjoy every day."

Call 862-4403 or email mpetteway@ec.rr.com for more information.

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