Cannon Township Brings History to Life with Declaration Reading and Thomas Jefferson Look-Alike Contest

Rockford, MI – Cannon Township celebrated America’s founding with a mix of history, community spirit and a little colonial creativity during its Declaration of Independence Reading and Thomas Jefferson Look-Alike Contest on Wednesday, July 8, at the Cannon Township Historical Museum.

The family-friendly event invited residents, public servants, students, educators, business owners and community members to read portions of the Declaration of Independence aloud together. The evening also featured a Thomas Jefferson Look-Alike Contest, where historical accuracy was not required, but enthusiasm was strongly encouraged.

Around 90 guests gathered outside the Historical Museum for the reading, then continued the celebration with a Fire Department open house and an informal community gathering at Honey Creek Inn.

Cannon Township Supervisor Steve Grimm welcomed the crowd and thanked the many readers, volunteers and community partners who helped make the event possible.

“This event was a great example of what makes Cannon Township different,” Grimm said. “We brought people together, honored our history and had a little fun while doing it. That is community at its best.”

The event was organized as part of America’s 250th anniversary celebration and was designed to make history feel accessible, memorable and fun for all ages.

Cannon Township Trustee Jessica Gutowski-Slaydon, event organizer, said the idea was to create an event that honored the significance of the Declaration while also giving families and residents a special reason to show up, smile and participate.

“This event put a modern twist on history to engage more people,” Gutowski-Slaydon said. “This history is too important for our youth to lose, and we hope this celebration gave more people a fun and meaningful way to connect with it while honoring our Founding Fathers. (and Mothers!)”

Cannon Township extends a sincere thank-you to all of the speakers and participants who helped bring the Declaration of Independence to life, including Supervisor Steve Grimm; Kent County Undersheriff Bryan Muir; Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker; County Commissioners Katie DeBoer and Robert S. Womack; Cannon Township Treasurer David Spencer; Cannon Township Clerk Jim Alles; Cannon residents Blake, Dax and Parks Slaydon; Brandon Erhart; Cannon residents Amanda and Caleb Gach; Candy Lancione of Aunt Candy’s Toy Store; Cannon Township Historical Society Secretary Hillary Hatch; Rachel Partridge; Justin Ortiz and Keith Sprague of Kent County Parks; Neil Blakeslee of Rockford Rotary; Josh Gardner and family; the Thaddeus J. and Megan A. Kuzma family; Todd Olson, Cannon Township Trustee; and Elliot Grandia from FOX 17.

The event also received media attention from WZZM 13, FOX 17, WoodTV8 and The Shelley Irwin Show, helping spread the word about Cannon Township’s creative approach to celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.

In true Cannon Township fashion, the community found a way to honor America’s founding documents while making the celebration its own.

You’ll be able to watch a recording of the event at Cannontwp.gov soon.

No taxpayer dollars were used to fund the event.