BELLEFONTE — Bellefonte Borough Council members and the public got an early look this week at plans for the borough’s Hometown Hero banner project as the program prepares for another year of honoring local service members and first responders.

The program, managed by Historic Bellefonte, Inc., pays tribute to Centre County residents who have served the community either as emergency responders or in the military.

Debra Burger, speaking on behalf of Historic Bellefonte, Inc., told council at their regular meeting Tuesday that the upcoming round will include several updates tied to the borough’s participation in the nation’s celebration of its semiquincentennial anniversary.

“This year, because of the 250th anniversary, we are so excited to announce that there are some changes,” Burger said.

Among them, the banner dedication, which has historically taken place on Veterans Day, will be moved to Friday, July 3, the eve of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. It will follow a parade celebrating America’s 250th birthday, the first such holiday parade in Bellefonte in several years.

The parade will conclude at Talleyrand Park, where the dedication ceremony and a 75-minute patriotic concert, performed by the Bellefonte Community Band and the State College Area Municipal Band, will take place.

“We are so excited to have all of that happening,” said Burger. “Its all coming together so nicely.”

Mayor Gene “Buddy” Johnson, who was not in attendance at the meeting, has been asked to proclaim the day of the events as Bellefonte’s official celebration of America’s 250th birthday.

“The excitement is really starting to swell,” Burger said of the community’s anticipation for the events. “Everybody is really looking forward to it.”

Starting Feb. 1, applications and additional information will be available for those looking to participate in the Hometown Hero banner program.

There are a few changes to this year’s application process. Unlike in previous years, applications and deposits can no longer be dropped off at the Train Station in Talleyrand Park. Instead, completed applications should be delivered to the Bellefonte Borough Building at 301 N. Spring St. or to State Rep. Kerry Benninghoff’s office at 140 W. High St.

Applications will also be available in early February for pick-up at the Train Station, or for download at visitbellefonte.com and on the program’s Facebook page.

For groups interested in participating in the parade, registration information will soon be made available at the same online locations.

Centre County’s kick-off celebration for America250 is scheduled for next week, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, at the Centre County Courthouse, 102 S. Allegheny St., Bellefonte. Those interested in attending may RSVP at form.jotform.com/253344756467164

At their meeting, council also set dates and times for several notable events in the borough throughout 2026:

— Bellefonte’s community yard sale will be held Friday and Saturday, May 15-16.

— Bulk waste/riff raff pickup will take place Monday through Friday, May 18-22.

— Halloween trick-or-treating hours will be 6-8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31.

— The borough’s holiday two-hour courtesy parking program will run from Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026, through Friday, Jan. 1, 2027.

In other business, council:

— Amended Civil Service Rules and Regulations to revise the requirement that candidates for appointment to the Bellefonte Borough Police Department be Act 120 certified, meaning they have already completed the police academy. Under the new rules, candidates may now be sent to the academy, but they must successfully complete Act 120 training to be eligible for hire.

— Discussed committee assignments: the Environmental and Parks Committee will be chaired by Joanne Tosti-Vasey and include Shawna McKean and Barbara Dann; the Finance and Personnel Committee, chaired by Jon Eaton with Claudia Wilson and Deborah Cleeton; and the Facilities and Streets Committee, chaired by Randy Brachbill with Zach Kelly and Barbara Dann. A few committees have been combined. Joanne Tosti-Vasey remains chair of the Ordinance Committee, which is still seeking volunteers from council.

— Appointed an ad hoc committee to secure a permanent borough manager. The search committee will include Chair Jon Eaton, Barbara Dann, Deborah Cleeton and Claudia Wilson. Interim Borough Manager David Pribulka will be included in the process as well.

“I look at that as one of the council’s most important and top priorities at this time,” said Borough President Doug Johnson.

— Discussed with Pat McCool an application for open container use at a new event, First Responders Weekend, in which teams of first responders will compete for $14,000 for their department. His application for street closures and open containers is scheduled for discussion at the council’s upcoming meeting in February.