Come celebrate Independence Day with Tryon Palace! From the steps of the Palace hear the Declaration of Independence read by a costumed interpreter. Hear the passion in his voice as he declares the independence of the colonies from English rule. This is a day of festivities with demonstrations at the encampment, Fife & Drum Corps performances, firing of the muskets and free Pepsi products courtesy of Pepsi Bottling Group! Itinerary: Begins at 10:00 AM Procession of Fife & Drum and Continental Line to South Lawn Reading of the Declaration of Independence on Palace South Steps Fife and Drum Corps will perform immediately after the reading. 1st North Carolina Regiment of the Continental Line will firing their muskets and the new Verbruggen 3-lb cannon after the Fife & Drums’ performance. Admittance to the Gardens is FREE until 12 Noon. Tours of Palace are available with purchase of One Day Pass. Philadelphia held the first annual commemoration of independence on July 4, 1777, while Congress was still occupied with the ongoing war. In 1778, New Bern was the site of the first celebration in North Carolina under federal authorization. This is believed to be the first observance of the fourth of July as Independence Day in North Carolina, and the third celebration in the nation, following those in Boston and Philadelphia.