By Alberto Surís
On Thursday, July 4th, 2019, the Friends of the Lawrence Heritage State Park held the 14th Annual Old-Fashioned 4th of July celebration at the Visitors Center located at 1 Jackson St. in Lawrence.
General public began to gather at the entrance of Heritage State Park, around noon, John Adams (Rich Padova) ran the bell calling the meeting to order. He introduced Abigail Adams, (his wife Lory) who together ran the program.
As usual in events like this, it was initiated with the National Anthem, beautifully performed by Soloist Joey Grieve. He was accompanied by his parents James and Cheryl Grieve. On June 3rd, Joey graduated from Andover High and in the fall will enter U-Mass Lowell to study Peace and Conflict, something very important since he wants to become a lawyer.
Immediately after, John Adams requested the presence of a couple of volunteers to hoist the flag and Lawrence City Councilor at-Large Ana Levy doing the honor. Right after, John Adams and wife Abigail led the general public, escorted by the Lawrence High School ROTC, the Lawrence Civil War Memorial Guard and the 6th of Maine Battery in a walk around the block.
As usual, the event was held in the auditorium on the third floor. Richard Padova, Summer Interpreter of the Lawrence Heritage State Park acting as Master of Ceremonies, dressed as John Adams, one of the signatories of the declaration of independence asked for volunteers to help in reading the United States Declaration of Independence.
Tom Spitalere brought part of his collection of American art to decorate the hall and was the first to read. He was followed by Andrea Vannett and Sam Cai. For Cai, who traveled from Salem, NH is his 9th consecutive participation. He was 14 year-old when he did it the first time, on the 5th anniversary of the celebration.
Every year, Padova brings interesting points around the Declaration of Independence such as on July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence, in accordance with delegate Richard Henry Lee’s resolution. On July 4th, 1776, after some editing, the delegates formally adopted it. Typical celebrations in those early years included parades, speeches, music and public readings of the Declaration of Independence.
Almost at the end, Padova’s wife Lory saved the day, reminding him to mention that at the beginning, John Adams was the only one who predicted that the celebration of the 4th of July will become the most important holiday in the country.
At the end of the ceremony, a hearty lunch was provided free to all present.
