DAR to host Constitution Day celebration

The Akansa Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution, along with Hot Springs National Park, will hold a Constitution Day Celebration at 3:30 p.m. Monday at the Fordyce Bath House.

The public is welcome to attend, and to wear colonial attire. Costumed historical figures including Benjamin Franklin, Betsy Ross, and George and Martha Washington will be at the event, according to a news release from the city of Hot Springs.

The celebration will include patriotic performances by local musicians, a proclamation declaring Constitution Week in Hot Springs by Mayor Pat McCabe, and culminate with the National Bells Across America Event at 4 p.m.

Constitution Week, observed Sept. 17-23, marks the 231st anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution. Events for this year’s celebration by the Akansa Chapter are coordinated by Kathryn Hinkle and Kim Bailey.

For more than 12 years, Akansa Daughters have

provided a weeklong opportunity to sign a replica of the U.S. Constitution, which will be available from 1-4 p.m. next week at the Fordyce.

Akansa Daughters will visit local schools throughout the week, including Bobby Barrett Elementary in Mount Ida, Fountain Lake Elementary, Jessieville Elementary and Mountain Pine Elementary.

Historical characters including Betsy Ross, portrayed by Susan Read, Benjamin Franklin, portrayed by Jimmie Weber, and George and Martha Washington, portrayed by Charles and Pat McLemore, will be part of the school visits. A Reader’s Theater also will be performed, centering on life in 1787.

A display of Revolutionary Era artifacts and memorabilia will be presented by Weber and Charles McLemore, members of the DeSoto Trace Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.