The kickoff, held Monday, highlighted Centre County’s contributions to the nation’s history and offered an early look at local plans for commemorative events, projects and partnerships leading up to the semiquincentennial anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026.

“Although the Declaration of Independence was signed in Philadelphia, the story of America has been written beyond any single city, even here in Centre County,” Mark Higgins, chair of the Centre County commissioners, said in remarks at the event. “It’s written in the books of the Forefathers Book Shop in Rebersburg, it’s forged in the iron at Curtin Village, it’s in the crowd watching the Boalsburg Memorial Day Parade. It’s part of the court proceedings in Bellefonte, it rings out with every hymn sung during church services in Phillipsburg and we propose new chapters to the story during gatherings at the Allen Street Gates.”

He framed Centre County as an example of how America’s story is written through everyday civic participation, a theme reflected in the county’s semiquincentennial programs and central to the event’s focus.

Andre Castillo, engagement and volunteer coordinator for America250PA, who presided over the kickoff as America250PA’s representative, said the kickoff “recognizes Centre County as both a steward of its history and an active participant in America250PA celebrations.”

HUNTER SMITH/THE EXPRESS The gentleman pictured above led the crowd in a patriotic song prior to the official start of the kickoff event.

Castillo, who outlined the many initiatives surrounding the commemoration, emphasized the importance of local participation, which is central to the statewide effort to integrate every county into the national anniversary.

“America250PA is committed to one mission: reaching every single Pennsylvanian. As we look ahead, we’re bringing people together through signature events and statewide initiatives designed to meet communities where they are and create lasting connections to this historic moment,” he said.

So far, America250PA’s efforts in Centre County have included a Keystone Classroom Initiative visit to Radio Park Elementary, which reached 50,000 students across the state; the planting of a Liberty Tree at Centre Furnace Mansion; the installation of three commemorative bells around the county and semiquincentennial grants supporting an exhibit at the Bellefonte Art Museum and a beautification project at the Curtin Foundation.

Among the county’s upcoming celebrations are a parade and this year’s Bellefonte Hometown Hero banner dedication, along with several other additional events highlighting Centre County’s participation in the nation’s 250th anniversary.

Bellefonte’s Hometown Hero Banner Committee has moved up its dedication of its sixth round of banners to Friday, July 3, to coincide with the semiquincentennial. The dedication will follow a parade celebrating the milestone, the first such holiday parade in Bellefonte in several years.

HUNTER SMITH/THE EXPRESS From left, Andre Catillo, engagement and volunteer coordinator for America250PA, presents Commissioners Mark Higgins and Steve Dershem with a commemorative flag.

The banner program, managed by Historic Bellefonte, Inc., honors Centre County residents who have served the community as military members or emergency responders. The banners, placed throughout downtown, will remain on display for two years before being returned to their sponsors in the fall of 2028.

The deadline to apply for a banner is May 15, 2026; payment and submission details are included in the application.

The July 3 parade will begin at 5:30 p.m. at Bellefonte High School, before marching through downtown Bellefonte to Talleyrand Park. Everyone is encouraged to participate, but particularly bands and baton twirlers; dance, civic and church groups; and athletic teams, scout troops and fire companies are welcome. The registration deadline is June 15, 2026.

“Anybody and everybody that’s a group in Bellefonte that wants to celebrate America250 and Bellefonte Heritage, and especially veterans, I want them to help out with this,” said Debra Burger, who is leading the event.

The community’s veterans will serve as the parade’s grand marshals. Veterans wishing to participate can contact Burger at 4vets@comcast.net. Organizers plan to provide a trailer to accommodate veterans with mobility limitations, and a second will be arranged if needed, Burger said.

The banner dedication to follow will include a reading of names and a 75-minute concert featuring the combined State College and Bellefonte Community Bands. Food sampling tables will be set up around the park to showcase the cultures that comprise the “melting pot of America,” an idea inspired by Lorraine Mulfinger of Downtown Bellefonte Inc, a partner in the event.

A shuttle bus will run from Faith United Methodist Church to Talleyrand Park starting at 4:30 p.m. and continuing until after 9 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring a chair. Burger said the event is ideal for anyone visiting Centre County for the holiday and encouraged those attending State College’s Fourth Fest parade to join as well.

Speakers at the event, including Mary Sorenson of the Centre County Historical Society and Ed Stoddard, communications director for the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau and Centre County advisor for America250PA, highlighted the many other initiatives to come.

OTHER EVENTS AND INAITIVES

— According to Sorenson, The Centre County Historical Society is digitizing oral histories in collaboration with the Centre County Library and Historical Museum. They are also preparing a new initiative, “The Voices That Built Us,” which will gather new oral histories that will launch later in 2026.

— The Centre County Grange Fair, scheduled for Aug. 21-29, and Philipsburg Heritage Days festival, running July 8-11, will be themed to America’s 250th anniversary. About 50,000 patriotic, Pennsylvania-themed tags will be distributed to fairgoers.

— The America250PA concert series will feature five free concerts across Pennsylvania. One concert, featuring a Pennsylvania-born artist yet to be announced, is planned for the Bryce Jordan Center in May.

— America250PA has created signature drinks for the celebration: Declaration, a beer from Runaway Train Brewery, and the Commonwealth Cosmo from Mishka Vodka.

— On July 4, State College will hold its annual Fourth Fest parade, in which America250PA is also participating.

— In 2026, America250PA will place three additional semiquincentennial bells around Centre County.

— America250PA plans to award $250,000 in scholarships to Pennsylvania high school seniors who will attend state colleges and universities during the 2026 and 2027 academic years, said Castillo. The scholarships are designed to help the next generation of leaders “learn, grow and build their futures right here in Pennsylvania,” he said. So far, 1,700 applications have been submitted by students from all 67 counties.

Statewide events and initiatives can be found on America250PA’s website, www.america250pa.org, while information on local activities is available at America250PA Centre County’s site, www.centrecounty.america250pa.org.

America250PA Centre County is led by representatives from historical nonprofits such as the Bellefonte Historical Railroad Society and the Roland Curtin Foundation, as well as organizations that promote commercial and academic innovation in the county, such as the Chamber of Business & Industry in Centre County and the Penn State Office of Government and Community Affairs.

“No matter where you live in Pennsylvania, there’s a place for you in this milestone to learn, to serve, to reflect and to celebrate together,” said Castillo.