Sunday

07-06-2025 Vol 2013

Nevada Prepares for America250 Celebration Marking 250 Years Since Declaration of Independence

Southern Nevada and the entire United States are gearing up to celebrate Independence Day this Friday with the time-honored traditions of food, fun, and fireworks.

However, state leaders have their sights set on an even grander celebration planned for next year.

This event will last more than six months and aims to leave a more profound legacy than the customary cookouts and fireworks displays.

The countdown for America250 Nevada begins, which marks the celebratory recognition of America’s semiquincentennial—the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Recently announced by Governor Joe Lombardo, America250 Nevada will include a series of official projects, events, and programs designed to foster a sense of pride and inspiration among citizens.

“As a partner of the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission—the America250 Foundation—we have the distinct privilege of celebrating our country’s 250 years of achievement, struggle, and sacrifice while framing the dialogue and vision for the next 250,” Lombardo stated in a message posted on the america250nevada.org website.

This statewide initiative is part of a larger national celebration of America250, which is supported by President Donald Trump.

Nevada’s celebration is set to kick off on January 1 and will run until July 4, 2026.

The implications of the planned festivities are expected to resonate long after the conclusion of the event.

Brenda Scolari, the director of the Nevada Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs and a member of the Lombardo administration, has been entrusted with administering the program under the guidance of the newly formed America250 Nevada Commission.

Chaired by Rep. Mark Amodei, R-Nev, the commission includes other members such as Gerald Dixon, chief operating officer of the Duckwater Shoshone Tribe; Peter Guzman, president of the Latin Chamber of Commerce; Amanda Hilton, president of the Nevada Mining Association; and several other influential leaders in Nevada’s business and cultural sectors.

Scolari noted that in 1776, when the Declaration of Independence was signed in Philadelphia, Nevada was broadly considered part of the expansive western frontier, adding an extra layer of meaning to the participation in the anniversary celebration by the state’s Native American tribes.

“Early on, we determined that we really wanted to focus on programming that would have a lasting effect, meaningful even after the celebrations of July 4, 2026,” Scolari explained in a telephone interview.

“We’re using lodging tax funding allocated within the department that will fund two special grant rounds,” she added.

The grants include one through Travel Nevada aimed at municipalities, destination marketing organizations, and nonprofits that wish to apply for funding to create content for America250.

This specific grant will open on July 1.

The other grant opportunity, which begins on July 4, will be managed by the Nevada Arts Council and will focus on regional art projects.

Both grant funds will provide $250,000 each, and the commission intends to finance projects in all 17 counties of Nevada.

The commission will focus on multiple categories for funding:

– Our Nevada Stories, an oral history initiative that aims to document personal narratives from Nevadans in partnership with the Divisions of Museums and History and the Nevada Arts Council.

Starting in July, State Folklorist Brad McMullen and museum staff will begin collecting stories from residents both in person and online, creating a database that captures Nevada’s history through its citizens’ perspectives.

Key stories collected will be featured in a new podcast starting in January.

– Civic Seal is another initiative in collaboration with Nevada’s Department of Education and the Nevada Center for Civic Engagement, designed to enhance civics education in schools.

Funding will facilitate the Civic Seal program, which focuses on teaching government, public speaking, and leadership abilities to students.

– Nevada Gives Volunteer Projects aims to support 36 volunteer initiatives ranging from community clean-ups to art installations, fostering community engagement and unity among residents.

– Additionally, grants will be available from Travel Nevada and the Nevada Arts Council for projects that elevate the America250 narrative and engage local communities.

– The America250 Nevada Community Calendar will be an online resource to promote events and programs statewide.

As the planning commences, the commission is eager for public involvement and the following actions are encouraged:

– The community is invited to nominate notable Nevadans to be interviewed for the inaugural round of Our Nevada Stories.

Nominations will be accepted from July 1 to August 17, with a nomination form available on the website.

– Tax-deductible donations can be made via the America250 Nevada site, with all proceeds directly benefiting the state’s initiatives.

– Proposals for volunteer projects are welcome for consideration until October 31, with funding and recruitment support available.

Nevada Volunteers are hosting Q&A sessions on July 30 and September 15, with an extended Lunch & Learn scheduled for August 21 discussing all America250 Nevada initiatives.

– Furthermore, attendees are encouraged to plan events, with ideas shared in the website’s resources section.

Examples of potential events could range from community cleanups to mentoring programs or even food and blood drives.

While concrete plans are still underway, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority President and CEO Steve Hill mentioned that a large-scale event for the Fourth of July 2026, which falls on a Saturday, has yet to be decided.

“Typically, we don’t hold major events on the July 4th weekend as the city is already bustling with visitors,” Hill remarked.

“However, considering the significance of this celebration, we will certainly plan something remarkable.

It represents a real opportunity.”

As the state braces for this monumental celebration, it is clear that America250 Nevada will serve not only as a commemoration of the past but also as an investment in the future.

image source from:reviewjournal

Abigail Harper