Freeport resident to recite Declaration of Independence on July 3

For many, the Fourth of July is a day for parades, picnics and fireworks.

But for Nick Triveri, it’s an opportunity to commemorate an important piece of history.

Triveri, 67, of Freeport, recites the Declaration of Independence to mark the holiday every year. This year will mark the 11th time he’s given his presentation in honor of Independence Day.

“I just felt that July 4th was not always just fun and games,” Triveri said. “I wanted Americans to take a few moments to remember our founding document and what people went through in the founding of this nation.”

This year, because July 4 is on a Sunday, Triveri is hosting his annual reading of the Declaration of Independence on Saturday, July 3. The presentation, which lasts about 30 minutes, will be held at the gazebo at Riverside Park in Freeport starting at 10 a.m.

Mayor James Swartz said it’s the only event celebrating Independence Day in Freeport this year.

As he has done in past years, Triveri will don era-appropriate attire for his reading of the country’s founding document. He’ll also deliver a brief presentation outlining the events leading up to that moment and key historical figures of the time.

He highlighted the hardships American colonists faced, such as taxation they deemed unfair and the quartering of British troops in their homes.

“Finally the colonists said, ‘We’re going to stand up for ourselves.’ That’s why the Declaration of Independence occurred,” Triveri said. “That’s all brought out in the reading of the document.”

Though Triveri is passionate about reciting the declaration, he said he wished more people in the community would support his initiative to recognize the history behind the holiday. He said he typically has between 15 and 25 people in attendance — though he had hoped to one day grow the event to closer to 150 people.

“It does somewhat frustrate me that not everybody seems to feel like it’s important,” said Triveri, who volunteers to put on the presentation as a one-man show. “The original colonists paid a huge price to give birth to this nation. By reading the document, we try to remember what the colonists went through.”

Triveri said he tries to help his audience “feel like they’re in the moment, like they’re in the times.” He said the presentation never gets political; it’s just a moment to remember a piece of history that had tremendous consequences.

“I try to let people know July Fourth wasn’t all fun and games,” he said. “People paid with their lives. The colonists paid a big price for us to be able to have our freedom.”

Triveri said he’s also able to stay after his presentation to answer questions or talk with others who are interested in the history of American independence.

Triveri said he feels like he has a special connection with the Declaration of Independence. His birthday on July 2 is linked to American independence, he said.

Though Independence Day is celebrated on July 4, the Continental Congress officially declared freedom from Great Britain on July 2, 1776, when it voted to approve a resolution from Virginian delegate Richard Henry Lee, which said, in part, “These United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States.” John Adams at the time believed July 2 would be observed as Independence Day for generations to come.

“July 2 being my birthday, I have something in common with the document,” Triveri said.