Franklin Church Bell to Join National Ceremony on July 4

The invitation reads: “The National Bell Festival invites bells and bell towers across America to ring out together on Independence Day, creating a canopy of sound over our nation.”

At 2:50 PM on July 4, 2026, bells in the eastern time zone (that’s us) will peal thirteen times (once for each of the original thirteen colonies/states.) States in more western times zones will ring at 1:40, 2:50, etc. so “the canopy of sound” will be simultaneous across the country, including Alaska where it will be 10:50 AM and Hawaii where it will be 9:50 or 8:50 AM.

The Franklin Federated Church, the church on the south side of Franklin’s common and the town’s first church, will contribute to this wonderful, unified sound with Steve Kinson as our bell ringer. Thank you, Steve.

Since Steve will be inside, invisible as he pulls the rope to ring our bell, we will gather below the bell tower (between the church building and the parsonage) to make our church’s participation visible.

This is a joyous, non-political way to celebrate our country’s 250th birthday.

Please join us.