On July 4, 2026, the nation will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

The momentous occasion has sparked a national initiative — America250, which celebrates the historic milestone across the United States and honors the past contributions of all Americans, and looks towards the future.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has their own initiative called America250PA, with all 67 counties committed to taking part.

Judge Craig P. Miller presided over the proceedings with retired members Judge J. Michael Williamson and Judge Richard Saxton, Jr. as he opened the ceremony, giving thanks to the Daughters of the American Revolution, for providing the painting that has hung above each sitting judge.

LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESS Pastor Rick Conklin provides the invocation at the kick off event on Wednesday evening.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, by their Creator, with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness,” Miller read from the painting. “This sentence is contained in the Declaration of Independence, and has been this nation’s moral compass for 250 years.”

Miller recognized County Commissioner James Russo.

“We welcome you, on behalf of the Clinton County Commissioners and the America250PA committee, as we launch our journey towards 2026, celebrating 250 years, and still growing,” Russo said.

Russo continued the event with the pledge and national anthem performed by local students from Robb Elementary and Bucktail Area High School.

Russo opened the floor to Cassandra Coleman, executive director of America250PA, who spoke about the importance and significance of America250PA.

LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESS U.S. Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson speaks during the America250PA Kick Off event held in the Clinton County Courthouse on Wednesday evening.

“We are Pennsylvania’s official commission working across all 67 counties, and more than 500 local communities, to lead this once in a generation celebration of our semiquincentennial,” said Coleman.

“We are making sure that every county is celebrated and highlighted through our work,” Coleman said. “Tonight we gather here in Clinton County, celebrating the start of America’s anniversary and the role that communities, like this one, continue to play in our shared story.”

Those in attendance heard from U.S. Congressman Glenn “GT” Thompson, who said he, as a resident of Howard in nearby Centre County, was grateful to be Clinton County’s neighbor.

He further spoke about the significance of celebrating the country’s 250th in Pennsylvania.

“The county is home to a multitude of resources that help families thrive, students forge ahead and businesses develop,” said Thompson. “It’s fitting to celebrate our 250th anniversary where America was born in 1776, right here in the Commonwealth.”

LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESS Clinton County Commissioner Jeff Snyder offers recognition of a variety of local stewards, including judges, elected officials, law enforcement and more, at the kick off event.

“This tremendous milestone is a time to pause and reflect on our nation’s past and honor the contributions of all Americans, and to look forward to the future for our next generation,” Thompson ended.

Following Thompson, Commissioner Jeffery Snyder recognized the county’s elected officials for their leadership in continuing to grow the community.

“We commemorate the nation’s anniversary by focusing on community growth through service, local investment and historical preservation,” said Snyder. “We are grateful to our dedicated elected officials as we reflect on our past to build a better future for rural America.”

America250PA director Coleman once again took to the podium following Snyder to present a flag to the commissioners, declaring the official kick off for Clinton County.

“We are proud to mark this moment with a ceremonial flag to represent the partnership between the Commonwealth and its counties, and our shared commitment to honor America’s 250th anniversary with purpose, with care and with pride,” said Coleman.

LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESS Clinton County Commissioner Jim Russo served as the Master of Ceremonies at Wednesday night’s America250PA Kick Off event, held in the Clinton County Courthouse.

Those in attendance had the opportunity to hear from local Attorney Justin Houser, who also serves as president of the Clinton County Genealogical Society. Houser provided a featured inspiration.

Houser spoke on the rich history of Clinton County and the continued growth of the community.

“There’s another kind of growth that we must keep pursuing,” said Houser. “Growth in wisdom, growth in civic engagement, just like our ancestors before us.”

In ending his speech, Houser left those in attendance with a message of unity and connection ahead of the 2026 celebrations.

“Let us resolve together to build on legacy and to make our community and our nation the best it can be,” said Houser.

LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESS Clinton County Commissioner Angela Harding gestures during the concluding charge at the America250PA Kick Off event, held at the Clinton County Courthouse on Wednesday evening.

In concluding the ceremony, Commissioner Angela Harding acknowledged the hard work the students of Bucktail Area High School have put in to advocating for a new state fossil, the Hynerpeton.

During her speech, Harding said she wasn’t just focusing on America’s history, but its future. That future, she believes, lies in the youth of Clinton County.

“I’d like to take a moment to talk about the future,” said Harding. “I want to encourage everyone to continue to support the students and the young people in our community, because for Clinton County to be around another 250 years, we have to prop up these young people and give them a reason to stay here and be employed here.”

Following the ceremony, everyone who attended was encouraged to visit the first floor of the courthouse, where refreshments were provided along with a variety of items such as pollinator seed packets, pens, stickers and more in collaboration with DCNR and America250PA.

You can learn more about the national celebration at America250.org and the local celebration at www.clintoncountypa.gov/government/america250pa.

LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESS Local attorney and president of the Clinton County Genealogical Society, Justin Houser, provided a featured inspiration at the kick off event on Wednesday evening.

LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESS Bucktail High School chorus performed the National Anthem at the America250PA Kick Off event on Wednesday evening at the Clinton County Courthouse.