Marietta Celebrates Fourth With Bell Ringing Ceremony

MARIETTA — Young people of all ages gathered to ring the Glover Park Bell with Councilman Joseph Goldstein during Marietta’s Fourth of July Celebration Thursday.

The bell ringing was part of a nationwide ceremony honoring America’s founding.

At precisely 2 p.m., the toll of Marietta Square’s Liberty Bell replica echoed through the air, joining thousands of other bells across the nation in a unified celebration of America’s independence.

Attendees from the earlier Let Freedom Ring Parade and concert in the park gathered around as the rope was laid out and their kids and Goldstein took their positions.

“Every Fourth of July, we try to ring the bell 13 times, one time for each of the original 13 colonies,” Goldstein said. “We do this with many other people throughout the nation to join in harmony and in celebration of freedom of independence.”

Goldstein has been participating in the ceremony since he was a boy and took over the lead from his father, former Councilman Philip Goldstein.

Knowing that bells toll throughout the country makes him feel united and proud to be an American, Goldstein said. He also believes it is an important moment for children to join in and learn more about the celebration.

“I hope it will help instill a reason why we celebrate this day and help to remember what we came from, what was given in order for us to celebrate and hopefully get (kids) more involved in our community and our nation,” Goldstein said.

Benson Jyamfi, whose sons Randon, 2, and Kelton, 11, participated in the ceremony, said he wanted his children to learn more about American culture and heritage.

Jyamfi and his family drove from Auburn, Alabama just to attend Marietta’s Fourth of July celebration, which Kelton found out about on Google the day before.

“We’ve always loved Fourth of July celebrations so no matter how far it is, as long as it’s got a day program, we want to be a part of it,” he said.

Jyamfi, originally from Ghana, moved to Auburn a year and a half ago with his family.

“My wife is Chinese and my kids were born in China,” Jyamfi said. “I want them to learn more about America and incorporate themselves into the culture and uphold the country in their hearts.”

While the parade was his favorite part of the day, Kelton said he enjoyed the bell-ringing ceremony too.

“It’s just a bit loud. I didn’t expect that it’d be that loud,” he said.

Despite the noise, Jyamfi said he and his family were grateful to be a part of America and the Fourth of July celebrations.

“All of its celebration is something very close to our heart,” he said.