12 new United States citizens took the Oath of Allegiance Thursday, July 2 at Day Air Ballpark between the third inning of a baseball game.

Thousands of fans clapped and cheered as they became new Americans.

The ceremony at the ballpark in Dayton has become an annual tradition, and 2026’s version celebrated the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

 United States Magistrate Judges Peter B. Silvain Jr. and Caroline H. Gentry presided over the ceremony.

“These people have worked so hard to come here and to pass a citizenship test and go through all the hoops,” Gentry told the Dayton Daily News after the ceremony. “To see them and their families at the end of the journey is joyful for everybody.

“… We love doing this in front of crowds, so that people can experience what it’s like to see people become citizens and be reminded of their own citizenship, what a blessing and privilege it is. Doing it at a Dragons game is the best part of the whole experience.”

Silvain told the Dayton Daily News that he’s seen how welcoming Dayton is since moving from Washington, D.C., nearly 20 years ago.

“These people are part of the community, and I feel like Dayton welcomes new people with open arms. It’s something special.”