PHILADELPHIA (June 30) – As Philadelphia prepares to host the 2000 Republican National Convention, a group of artists in the Village of Volcano on Hawaii’s Big Island is stitching coconut fibers together with rattan to make a bell in the spirit of one of America’s greatest symbols of freedom, the Liberty Bell. The Hawaii bell will soon make its way here for "Liberty Bells: An American Celebration," an exhibition of more than 50 monumental, citizen-inspired and created, commemorative interpretations of the Liberty Bell from nearly every U.S. state and territory. The Liberty Bells exhibition runs from July 26 through August 3, at PoliticalFest, a multimedia celebration of American politics open to the public, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

"Each delegation will bring to Philadelphia a symbol of their home state in the likeness of the symbol for which Philadelphia is so well known," said Jan Larimer, co-chair, Republican National Convention’s Committee on Arrangements.

"The convention of bells will be a highlight of PoliticalFest during the 2000 Republican National Convention, giving delegates, media and citizens of the greater Philadelphia region a way to commemorate another historic moment in Philadelphia," said Karen Dougherty Buchholz, president, Philadelphia 2000, host committee for the convention.

"The Liberty Bell tribute dates back to 1876, when 12 million people gathered in Philadelphia for the nation’s Centennial celebration and a very popular exhibit of state bells," said Meryl Levitz, president and CEO of Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC). "In 1976 the Smithsonian Institution mounted a retrospective of the event that ran for 23 years, featuring some original bells from 1876, such as one made of wheat from Kansas. Through this recurring theme and Philadelphia’s historic connection to it, the idea for our Liberty Bell exhibit was born."

Liberty Bells: An American Celebration is the result of joint efforts by Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge; Philadelphia 2000, host committee for the Republican National Convention; Republican National Convention’s Committee on Arrangements; and GPTMC. The exhibition is being produced by Millennium Philadelphia, with Amy Needle, executive director, and Production Group International (PGI).

In preparation for "Liberty Bells: An American Celebration," citizens and artists throughout the country are hard at work crafting their bells for delivery in Philadelphia by July 20. Here is just a sampling:

• Alabama: In Alexander, the 400-pound bell titled Stars Fell on Alabama, is being made of Southern Yellow Pine, Robinson Iron and bronze and copper trim.
• Guam: A master weaver and artist, Phillip Sablan, in Santa Rita, is making the bell from palm fronds, a material traditionally used by the people of Guam.
• Idaho: A Native Nezperce Indian chain saw artist is carving a bell out of white pine, the state tree.
• Michigan:Masco Corporation is making a bell in Taylor from automobile parts to symbolize the state’s key industry.
• Mississippi: Young people are affixing cotton, corn, soybeans and magnolia leaves to the bell celebrating Mississippi authors.
• North Carolina: Tom Spleth and Anthony Ulinski , two professional sculptors, are constructing a 200-pound bell in Raleigh, Chapel Hill and Durham, incorporating images of the state, from ocean to mountains.
• Pennsylvania: A virtual bell being created in Pittsburgh will offer virtual tours of the state’s technological heritage on a flat-screen, bell-shaped monitor.
• South Dakota: Potter Ken Russel is carving the faces of Mt. Rushmore into a bell made of 125 pounds of clay from the Black Hills.
• Wyoming: They’re doing two bells – one of lariat rope made by King Ropes of Sheridan, and one bell covered with pictures of children, being made by Boy and Girl Scouts, children in Special Olympics and Boys and Girls Club members.
• Celebrity Bell: Designer Nicole Miller completed her bell in May, made of silk fabric covered with icons of Philadelphia.

PoliticalFest will be at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, at 12^th and Arch streets in Halls A and B. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children, students, seniors and active military. Event information is available at www.philadelphia2000.org or www.GOPconvention.com. Tickets are on sale at all Ticketmaster ticket centers, including Boscov’s, Strawbridges, Tower Records, and select West Coast Video stores. Tickets are available on-site at the event, on-line at www.ticketmaster.com, or by phone at (215) 336-2000, (856) 338-9000, (570) 693-4100 or (302) 984-2000. Group discounts available.

For information about travel to Philadelphia, call (888) GO-PHILA or visit www.gophila.com.

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