ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello is preparing for this year’s Fourth of July celebrations, including its annual naturalization ceremony.

This year’s featured speaker will be University of Virginia President Jim Ryan.

Every year, dozens of people take the Oath of Citizenship at the West Portico of the presidential home.

Many famous names have spoken at the ceremony, including former U.S. presidents, musicians, rights advocates, former members of Congress, artists, and a variety of others.

Previous speakers have included Dave Matthews, President George W. Bush, Larry Sabato, Khizr Khan, Frank McCourt, Colin Powell, Carl Sagan, Madeleine Albright, L. Douglas Wilder, and John Warner. 

Attendees will need to park at Piedmont Virginia Community College and will ride a shuttle to get to Monticello.

The event is free to attend but registration is required for a seat on a shuttle. For more information, click here.