Bells Across America to be held Sunday

For the 26th year, the historic First Congregational Church in Porterville will host the Bells Across America celebration in its sanctuary from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, September 12. Refreshments will follow in the social hall.

Co-sponsors for the event are the Alta Mira Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and Southeastern Tulare County Republican Women. The patriotic event is non-political as its being held to celebrate the Founding Fathers and the Constitution that has guided the nation for 234 years. The community is invited to participate in the event.

Scout Troop 132 will present the colors. The Porterville Strings directed by Pam Aucutt will play patriotic songs with Justin Witt leading in a sing-a-long and Cydni.

Judge Glade Roper will be the keynote speaker. Tulare County Supervisor Dennis Townsend will prents a proclamation from the Tulare County Board of Supervisors.

Proclamations will also be presented by the Porterville City Council and the Lindsay City Council and a certificate of appreciation will be presented by State Assemblyman Devon Mathis.

The church’s bells will ring at 4 p.m. to honor the time of the signing of the Constitution. Schools, churches, fire stations and all citizens are also encouraged to ring a bell, even if it’s on their cell phone, at 4 p.m. September 17 to honor the time in which the Constitution was signed.

September 17 is Constitution Day as the signing of the Constitution is celebrated, which was done at 4 p.m. September 17, 1787.

Bells Across American has been annually held at First Congregational Church on the Sunday before Constitution Week. Constitution Week will be held this year from September 17-23. Constitution Week is held every year as a result of an act of Congress that was signed by President Dwight Eisenhower in 1956.