The Reverend John Andrew Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution pulled out all the bells and whistles Tuesday for a celebration of Constitution Day.
Festivities kicked off in front of the courthouse in Watkinsville promptly at 4 p.m. with the firing of a canon near Oconee State Bank.
Kaylee and Marlee of The Ruark Sisters sang the National Anthem and a medley of patriotic tunes and guest speaker Randy Beck, a UGA law professor, offered a brief history lesson.
"The political system created by our Constitution may seem clunky at times or chaotic," he opined. "But it's done a pretty good job of accomplishing our most important objectives while preserving a large sphere for individual liberty."
In closing, Beck remarked: "It's a big country. It's a diverse country. It's a free country. We often disagree and we're often frustrated by the failure of measures we think would benefit the public. But at least that political energy is being directed, with only a few tragic exceptions, in talking to each other, debating with each other, rather than shooting at each other. And those are good things for which we can thank the providence of God and the wisdom of the people who framed our scheme of government. So happy Constitution Day."
Other highlights of the event included a group recitation of the Preamble to the Constitution and a proclamation issued by Mayor Charles Ivie that designates Sept.17-23 as Constitution Week in the city.
In what ways did you celebrate Constitution Day? Tell us in the comments below.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.