Event Type : Networking/Social

Our annual ceremonial reading of the U.S. Constitution is coming up! Join us in Lawrence, at the historic Douglas County Courthouse, in celebration of Constitution Day!

WHERE: Historic Douglas County Courthouse, County Commission Chamber – 1100 Massachusetts Street

WHEN: Thursday, September 17, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to Noon-ish.

WHAT: The U.S. Constitution will be read in 110 segments that take one minute or less to read for the average reader.

HOW DO I SIGN-UP?: Use the following link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A48AFAD22AAF49-douglas (Note: You will be able to sign up for a slot using the attached link, but will not be able to select your specific section through the link – determinations about specific sections or the number of readers per section will be made once we have the full list of participants).

Our annual ceremonial reading of the U.S. Constitution is coming up on the east steps of the U.S. Courthouse in celebration of Constitution Day!

Participants at this event typically include Judges from the U.S District Court, Kansas Court of Appeals and the Eighteenth Judicial District, local attorneys and members of the public, elected officials and Wichita-area schoolchildren.  We are building our participation list this year and there is no cap whatsoever on the number of readers.  The U.S. Constitution is divided up into 110 segments for reading, but if we run over 110 participants, we will simply start over and begin reading again.

Below are some basic details (also see the attached flyer for details):

WHERE: U.S. Courthouse at 401 N. Market – Courtroom 238 (Note: As with last year, we have moved the reading from the east courthouse entrance steps outside to inside the courthouse, Room 238)

WHEN: Thursday, September 17, 2026, from 9:30 a.m. to Noon-ish.  Check-in starts at 9:00 a.m., Reading starts at 9:30 a.m.

WHAT: The U.S. Constitution will be read in 110 segments that take one minute or less to read for the average reader.

HOW DO I SIGN-UP?: Use the following link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050844A4AE2DA4FE3-64716471-constitution  (Note: You will be able to sign up for a slot using the attached link, but will not be able to select your specific section through the link – determinations about specific sections or the number of readers per section will be made once we have the full list of participants).

WHAT DO I DO AFTER I SIGN-UP?: Nothing else needs to be done except show up between 9:00 and 9:30 a.m. on September 17 (please try to check-in no later than 9:20 a.m.)  If you do want to obtain your section in advance of September 17 to practice, just notify Amy at Amy_Swisher@uscourts.gov – this should be available starting Friday, September 11.  It is not necessary to do so, however.