FILE PHOTO
Pedro Diaz shows his son Michael the view of the city at sunset from High Rock Tower.
By MARIANNE SALZA
Frederick Douglass’ speech on the meaning of Independence Day for the slave, will be read Monday July 3, at 6 p.m., on High Rock Tower.
The Parks Department of Lynn and the New Lynn Coalition, sponsored by Mass Humanities, will sponsor the seventh annual reading.
The annual event has become a pre-holiday celebration for families, blending the historical event with a chance to admire the panoramic view of Lynn, the ocean and the Boston skyline.
Participants, accompanied by youth from the Zion Baptist Church, will read excerpts from the famous speech by the 19th century African-American abolitionist and social reformer.
“It discusses what Independence Day means to the slave, and the version we have is 45 paragraphs, of approximately one minute each,” said Wendy Joseph, emcee for the reading. “People come down to the podium and take turns reading a paragraph that Frederick Douglass wrote. I’ve done it for seven years and it still inspires.”
Beginning at 6 p.m., there will be entertainment at the base of the tower stairs. There will be readings of poems by Langston Hughes and Maya Angelou, a Latin dance performance, and live music by local artists, including Al Nesser, an acoustic folk musician.
Local businesses and food vendors will provide refreshments and information about community programs and other offerings. Children can have their faces painted, receive balloon animals, and go on free pony rides. Following the conclusion of Douglass’ speech, at 9 p.m., a fireworks display can be viewed from atop the Highlands of the Lynn Shore Drive.
“I open High Rock Tower and people run up and see beautiful views of the fireworks from Lynn Shore Drive and also from the surrounding towns,” said Joseph.