As of 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 5, 2011, the Ballard Bell will ring once again on a daily basis. Community members came out to Marvin's Garden on Ballard Avenue on Tuesday evening to witness the inaugural tolling of the automated ringer.

"This intersection was the most important intersection in Ballard and I think it still is," said Peggy Sturdivant in the events opening remarks. "It's where its heart and soul is."

The original Ballard City Hall and the bell stood on the intersection where Marvin's Garden is today, Built in 1899, the bell tolled daily at noon, 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.

But the 1965 earthquake demolished City Hall, and the bell went to Firland Sanitarium for storage.

The bell was brought back to Ballard in 1976 and 11 years later, in 1987, the Bell Tower and the Ballard Centennial Bell Foundation were founded. The dedication ceremony for the Bell Tower was held in 1989 but the bell did not ring.

In December of last year, the beloved Bertha Davis decided it was time to bring the ring back to Ballard.

Thanks to a Neighborhood Matching Fund award of the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, Seattle Parks & Recreation and many generous volunteer efforts, The Ballard Historical Society in conjunction with the Bring the Ring Back to Ballard Steering Committee completed the project that was started so many years ago - to let Ballard ring.

Bertha Davis passed away before she could see her dream fulfilled and her family was present at the opening ceremony to give thanks to everyone who helped to bring the ring back to Ballard.

"This is a special honor for our family," said Davis' daughter Carol Hoover.

The Ballard Bell will toll everyday at noon and 6 p.m. and on Sundays the Bell will mark the start and end of the Ballard Farmers Market at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.