Join Morristown's annual Declaration of Independence reading on July 4th. Here's how

With July Fourth around the corner, the Independence Day celebration at Morristown National Historical Park returns, including the annual public reading of the Declaration of Independence. The free event at the park's Washington's Headquarters site will begin at 12 p.m. on Thursday and include music, crafts, games, and re-enactments organized by the park and the Washington Association of New Jersey.

The "Warm-Up" to the reading will feature a park ranger in period clothing entertaining the crowd and giving a "kids level" explanation of the Declaration. Eighteenth-century stories, jokes and riddles will be part of the fun, according to the Morristown park's website.

When's the Declaration reading in Morristown?

The Declaration will be read at 1 p.m. At the end, guests are welcome to join in a feu de joie, a mock musket salute.

Visitors are asked to bring water to drink and a chair or a blanket to sit on the ground and are reminded to dress appropriately for the weather including wearing a hat and sunscreen. It is a rain- or-shine event, according to the park.

July Fourth parking, events at Morristown NHP

Due to limited parking, guests are encouraged to carpool or walk to the event. All activities will take place at the Washington’s Headquarters area at 30 Washington Place and are free of charge. The National Park's Jockey Hollow Visitor Center and Wick House will be closed on July Fourth, but Jockey Hollow’s grounds and trails will be open.

For more information, visit the Washington Association of New Jersey at wanj.org or the Morristown National Park at www.nps.gov/morr.

Email: NFlanagan@gannett.com