America 250 Celebrations in The Midwest

America250 events in the Midwest will celebrate a milestone in our nation’s journey

By Randy Mink, Senior Editor

In the coming months, an earth-shaking revolution that turned the world upside-down 250 years ago will be celebrated in grand style throughout the land, creating special opportunities for history-themed tour programs.

Honoring America in the Midwest

The congressionally established U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, operating as the nonpartisan America250.org, and commissions in each U.S. state and territory, will coordinate events to salute the nation’s founding in 1776. The red-letter day will be July 4, 2026, the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, but events and special museum exhibitions will be staged well before and after.

Many are comparing the America250 hoopla to the country’s bicentennial bash in 1976, a star-spangled commemoration that, for those old enough to remember, evokes memories bathed in red, white and blue. There were sculptures and monuments created for the occasion, along with historical reenactments, parades, and festivals. More than 90 percent of the population participated inat least one 1776-related event.

While much of the focus in 2026 will be on the Eastern Seaboard, where colonial America had its beginnings, there will be plenty to see and do in the country’s mid-section. From museum exhibitions in Kansas and Michigan to fireworks lighting up the night skies of South Dakota, America’s resilience, ingenuity, and love of freedom will be on full display. Visitors will even find a few historical attractions that focus on Revolutionary War battles fought in the heartland.

State-By-State Midwest Commemorations

The Midwest figured prominently in the expansion of the United States and has always been at the center of the national story. The grit of its early pioneers inspired generations that followed, and its innovations in agriculture and manufacturing have earned it worldwide fame. The following list highlights essential group events and must-attend festivities that capture the spirit of America in the Midwest (in alphabetical order).

MISSOURI America 250 Events

Event: Flag Day in Branson

When & Where: Flag Day, June 14, 2026, in Branson, MO

What’s Happening: Built on the foundational values of faith, family, and flag, the group-friendly town of Branson has long supported veterans, active-duty military, and their families with annual events, parades, and tributes. In fact, it claims to be “America’s Most Patriotic Destination.”

In 2026, Branson will add even more celebrations, turning the place red, white, and blue in a blaze of glory as it observes the country’s 250th anniversary. On Flag Day, June 14, 2026, Branson is attempting to achieve the world record for most flags displayed in city limits at one time, as every home and business will be given a U.S.-made flag to fly.

Why It’s Not to Miss: The town anticipates a minimum of 5,000 American flags, along with a parade and other events. Patriotic parades are also set for Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, and Veterans Day.

Visitors to Branson will find inspiring murals, photo ops, and other pockets of patriotism, letting red, white, and blue crosswalks lead the way. And don’t forget the American Pie Trail, a collection of eateries offering a true taste of America.

Perfect Pairings

Thunder Ridge Nature Arena will host what is being billed as Missouri’s Biggest Fourth of July Party with epic fireworks, a drone show, and family fun.

Also in the works is an air show starring the U.S.Air Force Thunderbirds.

In St. Louis, plans to honor the only Revolutionary War battle west of the Mississippi River will be announced soon. The Battle of Fort San Carlos (May 26, 1780) involved a crucial defensive structure at what is now the intersection of Fourth and Walnut streets in downtown St. Louis. Manned by Spanish and French defenders, the stone fort repelled a British-allied Native American attack, preventing enemy control of the river.

ILLINOIS America 250 Celebrations

Event: The Promise of Liberty Exhibition

When & Where: Opening January 31, 2026, located at the Peoria Riverfront Museum

What’s Happening: The Peoria Riverfront Museum is gearing up to celebrate the 250th anniversary of America’s founding with The Promise of Liberty, an exhibition that will occupy two of its five major galleries. Opening January 31, 2026, and running through the year, the exhibition will showcase 250 objects and documents of historical significance.

Among the items will be a Gilbert Stuart portrait of George Washington on loan from Colonial Williamsburg, a 1776 edition of the Declaration of Independence, a first printing of the U.S. Constitution, a rare photo of Abraham Lincoln in Peoria, and Martin Luther King’s 1963 “I Have a Dream” speech.

Why It’s Not to Miss: The galleries also will spotlight American Indigenous peoples in the Illinois River Valley, French explorers who settled the area, and central Illinois farming innovations that made an impact worldwide. The Promise of Liberty is guest-curated by iconic documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, whose six-part film The American Revolution premieres on PBS stations in November 2025.

Perfect Pairings

The “Liberty Bell of the West,” on display at Kaskaskia Bell State Memorial in Ellis Grove, was rung by villagers when Kaskaskia Island was captured from the British by American Colonel George Rogers Clark on July 4, 1778. A brick building houses the bellcast in France in 1741, a gift from King Louis XV to the Catholic Church of the Illinois Country.

Nearby, Fort Kaskaskia State Historic Site preserves the earthen remains of a fort constructed by the French in the early 1700s. It commemorates the vanished frontier town of Old Kaskaskia, the first state capital of Illinois, and the support it gave George Rogers Clark during the Revolution.

The Southern Illinois Music Festival (SIFest) in Carbondale and other locations (June 18-July 4, 2026) will celebrate America250 with multiple performances of classical music by American composers spanning three centuries. SIFest 2026 will include five major orchestral programs and five Patriotic Pops concerts with works by composers such as John Williams, Leonard Bernstein, George Gershwin, and many others. America’s musical theater traditions will be celebrated with across-section of excerpts featuring narration and dancers. Saturday nightsare reserved for “Patriotic Pops” concerts at Alto Vineyards and another venue. Thefestival ends with a bang with three outdoor “Patriotic Pops” concerts with fireworks on July 2, 3 and 4.

In June 2026, the Chicago Symphony Center marks America’s 250th anniversary with performances that honor the nation’s spirit and cultural landscape—from concerts with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra to appearances by guest artists and jazz ensembles.

At the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, the exhibit America Grows: Celebrating Resilience, Culture, and Community will commemorate 250 years of United States independence from June 1 to September 30. Illustrating how gardens have always held a special place in American culture, immersive multimedia displays will showcase American resilience through the self-sufficiency of colonial kitchen gardens, the strength of post-emancipation gardens, and the ingenuity of wartime victory gardens.

America 250 Events in INDIANA

Event: Honoring an American Colonel

When & Where: Now through 2026 at George Rogers Clark National Historical Park

What’s Happening: In Vincennes, Indiana’s oldest city, George Rogers Clark National Historical Park will be a focal point during the Semiquincentennial. The largest Greek Revival building outside of Washington, D.C., honors the heroic American colonel who defeated the British on the northwestern frontier, an area nearly as large as the original 13 colonies, during the Revolutionary War.

Why It’s Not to Miss: Detailed murals in the rotunda depict the February 25, 1779, victory and other events that changed the course of history. The visitor center/museum shows a 30-minute movie.

Perfect Pairings

Indianapolis, with nearly 50 monuments and memorials dedicated to Hoosier military service, ranks second only to Washington, D.C., in the amount of land devoted to honoring veterans. Every block downtown reflects a deep respect for service and sacrifice. A nightly multimedia salute transforms the 284-foot-tall Soldiers & Sailors Monument into a powerful tribute to Indiana’s military legacy—complete with music, projection, and patriotic reflection

The Shrine Room in the Indiana War Memorial, fresh from a massive renovation, offersone of the most breathtaking patriotic spaces in the country; a solemn, light-filled tribute honoring all who gave their lives for freedom.

On Memorial Day weekend, more than 300,000 fans gather for the Indianapolis 500, where military tributes, a moving flyover and the playing of “Taps” create one of the most moving pre-race ceremonies in sports. A special celebration will honor America’s 250th anniversary.

IOWA America 250 Events

Event: America250/Great American State Fair

When & Where: Des Moines, Iowa, fromAugust 13-23, 2026

What’s Happening: The iconic Iowa State Fair (August 13-23, 2026) will command center stage in the Hawkeye State’s Semiquincentennial festivities. It is planning a full lineup of activities and patriotic events as part of the broader America250/Great American State Fair initiative endorsed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Why It’s Not to Miss: The theme for the once-in-a-generation celebration is “Fair Spirit” for a special birthday celebration. The Iowa Historical Society will be spearheading other America250 activities in the state.

KANSAS America 250 Celebrations

Event: Several Kansas museums will have special exhibitions in honor of America’s founding 250 years ago.

When & Where: Now through 2026 state-wide

What’s Happening: Now through July 2026, various museums and libraries will feature the traveling exhibition Americans. Based on the exhibit of the same name at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., it will tell the story of a people who have been part of the nation’s identity since before the country began.

Through December 31, some Kansas museums, libraries, and schools will host Declaration 1776: The Big Bang of American Democracy, a national traveling exhibit about the Declaration of Independence mounted by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History.

From June 1 to July 5, the Eisenhower Presidential Library in Abilene will host the National Archives’ Round America exhibit.

Several Kansas museums will have the Moments that Made Us exhibit starting in 2026.

In Topeka, the Kansas State Historical Museum will present an America250 exhibit. From Memorial to Labor Day, downtown Topeka will have a historical walking tour from the Liberty Bell to Constitution Hall. There will be a July 3 concert at Evergy Plaza in downtown Topeka.

On July 3 in Wichita, the Wichita Symphony Orchestra will present a stirring patriotic concert, “Let Freedom Sing.”

Junction City will host Freedom Fest, a July 1-5 celebration with music, fireworks and a parade.

To get into the spirit, the Kansas 250 Commission will be offering a Kansas 250 Box, a selection of Kansas-made products. And Semi Quinn the Bison, a plush mascot sporting a neckerchief and Kansas 250 logo, is available for a $50 donation.

America 250 Events in MICHIGAN

Event: America250 Exhibitions

When & Where: Now through 2026 state-wide

What’s Happening: In the special exhibits room of the Michigan State Capitol in Lansing, Designing Democracy will be a year-long exhibit exploring the architecture of American democracy through the lens of state capitol buildings. It will explore the symbolism of the dome and Renaissance Revival architecture in American history. It will also focus on American anniversaries and their power to inspire historic preservation projects.

From March 1 to May 2, Chasing Liberty, an exhibit at the Albert L. Lorenzo Cultural Center at Macomb Community College in Clinton Township, will feature local stories to explain conditions that led to the Revolutionary era in Michigan and how those conditions shaped life for all people.

A special exhibition at the Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn will trace the evolution of American craft. Featuring a wide array from the museum’s collection, Handmade: The Crafting of America (March 21, 2026, to January 18, 2027) will show how creativity and ingenuity have sparked change across centuries of American life. Another America250-related exhibition, Fabric of America: Our Fashions, Textiles and Technologies, will run from June 6 to September 13, 2026.

NEBRASKA America 250 Events

Event: Communities across the state are planning exhibits, festivals, educational programs, heritage trails, and special events that honor Nebraska’s contributions to the American story, from Indigenous histories and homesteading to the Oregon Trail, the trans continental railroad, and modern innovation.

When & Where: Now through 2026 state-wide

What’s Happening: The State Capitol will host an exhibit spotlighting all 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence, six influential Revolutionary-era women, and 20 key events from the Revolution. In Seward, Nebraska’s official Fourth of July City, the “Faces of Rushmore” will be celebrated with Mount Rushmore impersonators.

The 500-Mile Sculpture Garden, a series of eight modernist sculptures installed along Nebraska’s I-80 rest areas during the 1976 U.S. bicentennial, is being rejuvenated for the nation’s big anniversary.

The Nebraska History Museum in Lincoln is preparing a special exhibit to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary in 2026. It will explore Nebraska’s unique contributions to the nation’s story, highlighting the people, events, and cultural touchstones that have shaped the state over the past two-and-a-half centuries.

NORTH DAKOTA America 250 Celebrations

Event: Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Grand Opening

When & Where: July 4, 2026, inMedora, North Dakota

What’s Happening: The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library in Medora has set its grand opening for July 4, 2026, the 250th anniversary of American independence. The 26th U.S.president lived and ranched in North Dakota after the deaths of his wifeand mother on February 14, 1884, and often returned to the area. Located just outside of Theodore Roosevelt National Park, the site is on land purchased by the Roosevelt family from the U.S. Forest Service, which was founded in 1905 during Roosevelt’s administration. His Elkhorn Ranch is now part of the national park, the only one named for a person.

OHIO America 250 Events

Event: Declaration 250

When & Where: August 2, 2026, at Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorialon South Bass Island

What’s Happening: Lake Erie Heritage Foundation, in cooperation with the Perry Group, will be coordinating Declaration 250, a national signing ceremony honoring the actual date—August 2, 1776—when 56 patriots signed the Declaration of Independence. On August 2, 2026, thousands are expected to gather at Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial on South Bass Island. The shrine commemorates the 1813 Battle of Lake Erie, a crucial victory over the British that helped defend the independence first declared on July 4, 1776. The two-day celebration in the village of Put-in-Bay will feature living history performances, keynote speakers, The Ohio State University Marching Band, and an epic fireworks display. All members of the U.S. Congress will be invited to sign the ceremonial document.

SOUTH DAKOTA America 250 Events

Event: Fireworks Celebration at Mount Rushmore

When & Where: July 3, 2026, at Mount Rushmore National Memorial

What’s Happening: A patriotic fireworks display will light up the night sky on July 3, 2026, at one of America’s most iconic landmarks, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, the “Shrine of Democracy.” It will be a much-talked-about national event.

Perfect Pairings:

Another big fireworks show will take place on July 4 at the three-day Sitting Bull Stampede Rodeo in Mobridge.

Travel South Dakota is highlighting more than 20 additional events in relation to America 250 in 2026. Among them are:

• Black Hills Roundup Rodeo, July 1-4, Belle Fourche. Four days of rodeo action, a parade, and two nights of fireworks.
• Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Powwow, July 3-5, Agency Village. The nation’ssecond-oldest powwow started in 1867.
• Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant, July 10-26, De Smet. Nine performances of an outdoor theatrical production based on the “Little House” books about homesteading on the prairie.
• Power on the Prairie Airshow, July 18-19, Sioux Falls. Aerial stunts by the U.S Air Force Thunderbirds and other high-flying thrills
• Days of’76Rodeo & Parade, July 19-25, Deadwood
• South Dakota State Fair, September 2-7, Huron

WISCONSIN for America 250

Event: State-wide America250 Commemorations

When & Where: Now through 2026, state-wide

What’s Happening: In Appleton, the Fox Cities will celebrate the nation’ soldest Flag Day parade on June 13, 2026, with over 100 participating groups and a full day of patriotic performances.

The Iola Car Show and Swap Meet, one of the largest in the nation, will embrace a patriotic theme for its July 9-1, 2026 event, featuring red, white, and blue cars and an impressive American flag display.

In 2026, Old World Wisconsin will celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary with the unveiling of a new immersive welcome experience, revitalizing the living history site’s entry area for the first time since it opened in 1976 to honor the U.S. Bicentennial. Visitors will see a new guest entry area, pavilion, tram stop, museum store, and other improvements.

On the shores of Lake Michigan, Manitowoc plans to elevate its annual Fourth on the Shore festivities for America’s 250th anniversary. The annual 4th of July parade kicks off the day, followed by live music and food trucks in downtown and along the lakefront. Fourth on the Shore concludes with a fireworks show. The Wisconsin Maritime Museum’s annual SubFest, also part of the festivities, will pay tribute to WWII with ceremonies, whistle salutes and a gathering of veterans.

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