Press Room

The National Bell Festival is honored to participate in the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend, the official national tribute to all firefighters who have died in the line of duty. Each year, thousands attend the event and watch the services online. Although we cannot be together in Emmitsburg in 2020, we can still honor and remember the lives of the 82 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2019.

For the first time in decades, a bell has hung at Georgetown Lutheran Church – not in the church’s formidable grey stone tower, nor in the purpose-built pagoda of the surrounding gardens, but rather, very humbly, from a small crane as it was hoisted into the bed of a truck. This brief lift marks the first step in restoring the historic bell and setting it ringing again. 

What’s the easiest way to support the National Bell Festival? Designate us as your preferred charity on Amazon Smile! It only takes two clicks to do, costs you nothing, and every time you shop with the same products, prices, and features you’ve come to love, Amazon will donate to BellFest! It’s that simple. Here’s how it works:

1. Follow this link to Amazon Smile.
2. Confirm the National Bell Festival by clicking “Start Shopping.”
3. You’re all set! 

The National Bell Festival is pleased to highlight and support a new project by City of Bells, a Minneapolis-based nonprofit committed to coordinating, restoring, and celebrating bronze bell installations. They have coordinated hundreds of bells to ring out in the Twin Cities area and are encouraging other cities and states to join in. BellFest is enthusiastically answering the call in Washington.

A hush has fallen on the Washington area’s four change ringing towers as the novel coronavirus continues to disrupt our community. Normally, with less congestion and traffic in our city (as we have during the current stay-at-home order), the toll of a bell would carry easily across D.C. neighborhoods. But not now. Washington National Cathedral, the Old Post Office Tower, Virginia Theological Seminary (Alexandria, VA), and Calvary United Methodist Church (Frederick, MD) have shuttered their towers to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. 

Metro Motor is helping Washington ring in the New Year like never before by becoming a Carillon-level sponsor of the first National Bell Festival (BellFest), taking place this New Year’s Day. BellFest will present a full day of programming which celebrates the history of our nation through the lens of D.C.’s often-overlooked bells and bell towers: the jubilation of independence, the pain of civil war, the sacredness of community, and the resounding hope of tomorrow.

The National Bell Festival was delighted to receive a group of 12 students traveling to Washington, D.C. from the University of Westminster in London as part of their week-long Westminster Working Cultures program. The program is designed to enrich students’ perspective through hands-on emersion – engaging with professionals across sectors from digital technology and science to education and culture. 

For the first time in decades, a light has shone in the old bell tower at Georgetown Lutheran Church. Why? You might recall the National Bell Festival is working to refurbish the historic bell at Washington’s oldest Lutheran congregation, which this year is celebrating its 250th anniversary. We simply love the idea of restoring the impressive bell to its full resounding glory. Researching its past has proven continuously captivating. 

So are we! We’re thrilled to announce the first National Bell Festival, a day when Washington comes together to ring in the New Year. Whether you’re just visiting the area or a lifelong Washingtonian, there’s plenty to love at BellFest. Very soon, we’ll start announcing the first listening parties and programming scheduled for New Year’s Day, with more fun activities and events added throughout the year.