CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The lawn of the historic County Courthouse downtown was filled Friday as close to 300 people celebrated the Fourth of July with the annual reading of the Declaration of Independence.

The local event, which  began in 2013, opened with the crowd joining in for the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of the national anthem. There were many participants dressed in period clothing, and there was also the firing of a musket volley and firing of the cannon.

Patriotic citizens of Clarksville-Montgomery County came together along with Daughters of the American Revolution, to celebrate the nation’s birthday at the annual reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2025. (Lee Erwin)
The Cumberland Winds celebrate the nation’s birthday with the performance of patriotic music at the annual reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2025. (Lee Erwin)
Patriotic citizens of Clarksville-Montgomery County came together and celebrated the nations birthday at the annual reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2025. (Lee Erwin)
Patriotic citizens of Clarksville-Montgomery County came together and celebrated the nation’s birthday at the annual reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2025. (Lee Erwin)
Patriotic citizens of Clarksville-Montgomery County came together and celebrated the nation’s birthday at the annual reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2025. (Lee Erwin)
Patriotic citizens of Clarksville-Montgomery County came together and celebrated the nation’s birthday at the annual reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2025. (Lee Erwin)
Patriotic citizens of Clarksville-Montgomery County came together and celebrated the nation’s birthday at the annual reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2025. (Lee Erwin)
Patriotic citizens of Clarksville-Montgomery County came together and celebrated the nation’s birthday as Charlie King reads the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2025. (Lee Erwin)
A musket volley fired in Clarksville-Montgomery County as citizens came together to celebrate the nation’s birthday at the annual reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2025. (Lee Erwin)
The firing of the cannon in Clarksville-Montgomery County as citizens came together to celebrate the nation’s birthday at the annual reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2025. (Lee Erwin)
Patriotic citizens of Clarksville-Montgomery County came together and celebrated the nation’s birthday at the annual reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2025. (Lee Erwin)
Patriotic citizens of Clarksville-Montgomery County came together and celebrated the nation’s birthday at the annual reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2025. (Lee Erwin)

Charlie King, a performer and vocalist with the Cumberland Winds, was given the honor of reading the Declaration of Independence to those gathered.

“We were happy today to have such a good crowd,” said Gail Longton with the DAR. “The weather was good, we are happy that so many different groups took part, and we love having the Cumberland Winds here to play patriotic music for us.”

Organizers included historical organizations like the Capt. William Edminston Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Valentine Sevier Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.

| MORE: For more events, check out the Summer Fun Guide, Farmers Markets and the Clarksville Events calendar.