Holliday said leaders had early start on effort

With 2025 just around the corner, the United States is a year away from celebrating its 250th anniversary.

And with events and celebrations taking place across the nation in 2026, Lawrence County is aiming to be a part of those.

County Commissioner DeAnna Holliday said she and other leaders have been working for some time on plans for the milestone, having attended meetings on the subject in the past year.

“We were hoping to get ahead on that,” she said.

Holliday said the county is forming a steering committee for the anniversary and hopes to have a chair in place by January.

She said they have several ideas for the anniversary, in which they also hope to celebrate the history of the county.

“it’s a perfect opportunity for that,” she said.

Holliday said a major area of focus will be agriculture and they are seeking to compile the history of it in the county.

Another aspect will be judicial history, for which she said Lawrence County Common Pleas Judge Christen Finley is working with a group to research.

She said there are plans for a barn project, on which the America 250 logo would be painted. 

Holliday said they plan to work with other state initiatives, such as the Ohio Goes to the Movies, which is part of the America 250 celebration.

The statewide initiative highlights movies showcasing Ohioans, from actors, directors, writers, composers, locations and topics, with showing in cities and towns across the state.

Other projects are still in the planning stage, while input is being taken for other ideas.

Holliday said one of the biggest goals for the county is to get younger contributors for the 250th celebration, which will also focus on the county and nation’s future.

“Those are who we are passing the torch to,” she said. “And everyone is welcome to participate.”

She said anyone who would like to be involved with the upcoming celebration can contact the commission through the Lawrence County Courthouse.

Festivities throughout the nation will take place for the semiquincentennial, which will be fully observed on July 4, 2026, the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Among national plans are a new series of postage stamps, five designs for the quarter, a new national public bell, a White House celebration on July 4th and a Great American State Fair, featuring pavilions from all 50 states, set for the Iowa State fairgrounds. More information can be found at www.america250.org.