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In this 2023 file photo, patriotic paraders throw large handfuls of candy during the New Knoxville Independence celebration.
CELINA - July is almost here, bringing the official 250th birthday of the United States, its semiquincentennial, and marking the peak of America 250 events in Washington, D.C., and around the nation - including here in the Grand Lake region.
From fireworks and festivals to art shows and community readings of the Declaration of Independence, Mercer, Auglaize and surrounding counties offer plenty of ways to join the America 250 party. Related events and activities continue into the fall.
Here's a rundown of some of the events and programming on the schedule for July:
• All month. Arts Place Jay County Campus, Portland, Indiana. Celebrating 250 Years! Juried art show on display celebrating the culture and history of America. Free admission.
• All month. St. Marys Public Library, St. Marys. Cozy Cabin Quilters of St. Marys and Bound by Grace Quilters of Spencerville present a patriotic quilt exhibition throughout the month of July, featuring 22 hand-crafted quilts created by members of the two groups to commemorate the semiquincentennial.
• July 2, 7 p.m. The Historic Sidney Theatre, Sidney. Screening of "National Treasure," Disney's action-packed blockbuster movie starring Nicolas Cage. Attendance is free, but reservations are preferred. Call 937-498-1921.
• July 3, 10 p.m. Lock 9 Park, Piqua. America 250 Drone Show. A dazzling celebration of Independence Day that will light up the night sky over Piqua. There will also be a Lock 9 Concert Series performance 7-10 p.m. The event is free to the public.
• July 3-5. St. Henry Community Picnic. Food, music, entertainment and activities for young and old, including bingo, dodgeball, a Big Wheel Derby and BBQ chicken meals from Moeder BBQ on Sunday.
• July 4, 4-11 pm. Coldwater Memorial Park, Coldwater. Red, White and Blue Celebration. Live music, Touch-a-Truck, a beer stand and food trucks are just part of the fun at this America 250 edition of the sixth annual July 4 event, which raises money for first responders.
• July 4, 10 p.m. Celina lakefront. Fireworks Celebrating America's 250th Anniversary. Celina Eagles Grand Lake Aerie 1291 and Celina Moose Lodge 1473 will once again be lighting up the Grand Lake sky with the ultimate July 4th fireworks. Music broadcast on FM 90.1.
• July 5, 6 p.m. Community Park, Fort Recovery. Fort Recovery Community Potluck. The Fort Recovery Merchants' Association will host this event tying in with America's Potluck events to be held in communities around the country. Pick-up baseball, pie-baking contests, food-eating contests, fireworks at 9 p.m. Bring your own dish to share, baseball glove, and fireworks to add to the show.
• July 5, noon-7 p.m. Greenville City Park, Greenville. Greenville's America 250 Community Picnic. Live music, food, carnival games, horseshoe pitching tournament, fishing derby, frisbee golf tournament, and fireworks.
• July 8, 6 p.m. Auglaize County. Public Readings of the Declaration of Independence. America 250-Ohio has asked communities to host public readings of the Declaration. These towns (and locations) in Auglaize County will host readings: Wapakoneta (Auglaize County Courthouse), Uniopolis (Uniopolis Historical Society Museum, State Route 67), New Knoxville (American Legion Post 444), Waynesfield (Public Library).
• July 11, 2 p.m. Garst Museum, Greenville. The Garst Museum continues its lecture series Washington's Generals with Baron von Steuben. Check therileyhousemuseum.org for information about this lecture coming to Celina.
• July 11, 7 p.m. Regal American Mall, Lima. Ohio Goes to the Movies screening of "First Man" about Neil Armstrong. Free admission.
• July 20, 5 p.m. St. Marys Theater and Grand Opera House, St. Marys. Ohio Goes to the Movies screening of "First Man" about Neil Armstrong. Free admission.
• July 21, 6:30-8 p.m. Mercer County District Library, Celina. Good Reads Book Club will be discussing its America 250-themed books for this month: A Girl Called Samson by Amy Harmon, My Dear Hamilton by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie, The Traitor's Wife by Allison Pataki, The Secret Wife of Aaron Burr by Susan Holloway Scott, The Hamilton Affair by Elizabeth Cobbs, and America's First Daughter by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie.
• July 21, 7 p.m. The Wayne Theatre, Greenville. Ohio Goes to the Movies screening of "Annie Oakley." Free admission.
• July 24-26. Celina Lake Festival. Celina's signature annual event will offer all the traditional activities and entertainment, but with multiple events saluting this year's theme of "Liberty on the Lake: America 250." Veterans have been selected as grand marshals for Saturday's parade, and floats will be styled after the America 250 theme.
• July 25, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Fort Site Street, Fort Recovery. America's 250th Birthday Party. Activities and events are scheduled throughout the day, starting with a parade at 10 a.m. and including dedication of a Revolutionary War plaque, a luncheon featuring iconic American foods, music, cornhole and tug-of-war contests, the Alumni Softball Tournament, a Stump the Stauglers! game and fireworks at 10 p.m. There is also a patriotic house decorating contest beginning July 4, with the winner to be announced at the birthday bash.
Freedom 250 is the national organization leading the nationwide celebration of the semiquincentennial for the Trump administration. More information on national initiatives and events is available at both freedom250.org and america250.org.
• June 25-July 10. Washington, D.C. Great American State Fair. A world-class exposition and modern-day World's Fair celebrating the people, traditions, innovations and spirit that make America great. More than 150 exhibits from all 56 states and territories, showcasing the best of America through state pavilions, industry displays, family-friendly attractions, movie screenings, music, military ensembles, flyovers and an iconic Ferris wheel on the National Mall.
• July 3. Keystone, South Dakota. Mount Rushmore Celebration. Against the backdrop of Mount Rushmore, Americans from across the country will gather to celebrate the vision that built the U.S. and the four presidents depicted in the granite. The evening will include a keynote address by President Trump, a tribute to the U.S. Armed Forces and a fireworks display illuminating the landmark.
• July 4. Freedom 250 has announced a historic Independence Day fireworks spectacular over the National Mall. Organizers have described the 35-minute display as the largest fireworks show the world has ever seen. Television: CBS and Fox will carry live coverage of the event.
Ohio's America 250 Commission, officially called America 250-Ohio, has organized several ongoing programs. Those include a series of trails for tourists and other travelers that highlights the state's contributions to things like the outdoors, air and space, transportation and creativity.
The Lake Erie to Ohio River Trail makes stops nearby at the Grand Lake St. Marys State Park and Canal, the Belle of St. Marys Canal Boat and Lake Loramie State Park. A top highlight of the commission's Air and Space Trail is its stop at the Armstrong Air and Space Museum in Wapakoneta.
Another state initiative that touches the Grand Lake area is the commission's Murals Across Ohio. As a part of the program, the commission maintains an online, interactive map of murals all over the state. Local murals featured include the Harvest Jubilee mural in Fort Recovery, Rockford's bicentennial mural, the Endless Pint mural in Versailles and the Memory Garden mural in St. Marys.
Ohioans can learn more about the history trails and check the schedule of all America 250-Ohio events at america250-ohio.org. They are also invited to contribute to what America 250-Ohio is calling Ohio's Birthday Album - a collection of photos and videos capturing how communities across the state are celebrating. Share photos and videos of local parades, family cookouts, hometown festivals, historical presentations, and more by tagging #America250Ohio or #OhioBirthdayAlbum.
