On Wednesday, July 8, 2026, Metamora joined nearly 1,000 communities across the country in participating in a nationwide public reading of the Declaration of Independence at 5:00 p.m. local time.
Approximately 100 people gathered in the Metamora Square to commemorate the occasion as part of the America 250 celebration.
The event opened with a performance of The Star-Spangled Banner by Village Trustee Merle Weyeneth.
Village President Dawn Deeb welcomed attendees by introducing the Declaration of Independence as one of the most famous breakup letters of all time, drawing laughs from the crowd by comparing it to Taylor Swift’s famous lyric, “We are never, ever getting back together.”
Readers of the historic document included:
- Village President Dawn Deeb
- Margaret Baker from Friends of the Metamora Courthouse
- Economic Development Coordinator Katie Garber
- Adam Bockler, representing the Metamora Association for Historic Preservation
- Village Trustee Merle Weyeneth
Following the reading, Madison Godinez entertained the crowd with an acoustic guitar performance.
Vendors Big Papa Jake’s and River City Sweets & Treats set up food trucks during Wednesday’s weekly Dinner On The Bricks event.
The Metamora Association for Historic Preservation extends its thanks to the Village of Metamora for hosting this community event and helping celebrate America’s 250th anniversary.
If you attended the event and have photos you’d like to share, we’d love to include them in our gallery.
Please email your photos to me at adam.bockler@historicmetamora.org, and I’ll be happy to credit you as the photographer.
