Rochester to host a downtown reading of the Declaration of Independence on county property

A speaker brought forward plans for a nationwide public reading of the Declaration of Independence to be staged locally with a block-party-style celebration on the Fulton County courthouse area and adjacent sidewalks. The event is sponsored by the Daughters of the American Revolution in partnership with the Fulton County 250 Committee and the Rochester Downtown Partnership.

Organizers said the event will include a procession, choral music, an Honor Guard and local readers; setup would begin mid-afternoon and the reading would occur at 6:00 p.m., followed by light block-party activities. Because much of the activity will occur on county property, staff advised the applicant that the county — which already approved the event on its property — would likely address insurance and fee issues and that the city would follow procedural event forms but probably not collect a fee.

Board members encouraged completing the event application and emergency planning where reasonable. The organizer was told to coordinate with Don (emergency services) and that more marketing and paperwork would follow.