The USA Celebrates 250 Years
Although the word semiquincentennial may not be familiar—or necessarily roll off the tongue—commemorating 250 years of the USA comes easily to Northeast Wisconsin and the rest of the country.
Coined “America’s Block Party,” a 2026 nationwide celebration is in the works, touted as being the largest in history. With that comes area communities participating in fun and unique ways.
In the Fox Cities and surrounding area, organizations and communities are taking the party seriously. They’re participating by hosting fun scavenger hunts, decorating contests, fireworks shows, music and more:
June 27: “Wings of Freedom” Civic Symphony, Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport
When it comes to big milestones, music is key to setting the mood and connecting guests with performance. In the case of America’s 250th at Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport, it’s the focus.
The free patriotic concert features the Civic Symphony of Green Bay for “Wings of Freedom: America250,″ the group’s fourth annual Orchestra at the Airport event. Held at the Pilotsmith/Jet Air Group hangar, the unique setting combines symphonic music with the spirit of freedom. Whether you fly in or drive in, bring the whole family to enjoy a musical salute to the red, white and blue.
The concert will take place rain or shine, and the airport recommends guests bring lawn chairs (with a limited amount of folding chairs available to reserve for a fee). While the event is free, donations are appreciated.
Doors open/activities begin at noon and include:
Pilotsmith Flight School: Take a ride in a full-motion flight simulator and learn more about being a pilot.
Heid Music Musical Instrument “Petting Zoo”: Try playing various woodwind, brass, percussion and string instruments.
Raffle: Register to win prizes, with all proceeds to benefit the orchestra.
Face Painting and Static Displays: Ask pilots questions while viewing aircraft.
Kids Craft Project: Make a souvenir popsicle stick kazoo with Girl Scout volunteers.
Food: Burgers, brats and soda for purchase, provided by the Beja Shriners.
The concert program begins at 2 p.m., including patriotic and classic music like The Star-Spangled Banner; The Patriot Suite; An American Trilogy; Come Fly With Me; Fly Me to the Moon; Old American Country Set; God Bless the USA; Born on the Fourth of July; American Salute; Armed Forces Salute; Danger Zone from Top Gun; Liberty Fanfare; and The Stars and Stripes Forever.
For more information and details about parking or flying in, visit gbcivic.org/events/orchestra-at-the-airport/
June 27-July 12: Future Neenah, Downtown Neenah Firework Scavenger Hunt
Participate and experience a fun adventure with Future Neenah’s Firework Scavenger Hunt. Ten “N”s (for Neenah) will be hidden throughout downtown Neenah—from Shattuck Park to Gateway Park. Clues can be found at www.futureneenah.org, the Future Neenah Facebook page or in person at 135 W. Wisconsin Ave in Neenah.
“We will be picking 10 winners from all who submit their entries and they will win packs of Great Harvest cookies,” Michelle Dunning, Outreach & Development of Future Neenah says.
“Anniversaries like this bring communities together. They create a shared moment where people can connect through history, traditions and local pride.
“In a place like Neenah, it’s not just about looking back—it’s about celebrating the present community and inspiring future generations.”
Not only will downtown Neenah be riddled with “N”s, it will also look the part in another patriotic fashion throughout the summer.
“The Alley has become a true destination in Downtown Neenah, drawing visitors eager to experience each new installation, snap photos, and take a stroll through something fresh and creative,” Dunning explains.
“This summer, transforming the space in celebration of the country’s 250th birthday felt like a natural fit. A special thank you goes to Kessler-Fahrenkrug Funeral Home for sponsoring the patriotic display, and to the talented art students—from kindergarten through 12th grade—across the Neenah Joint School District, whose creativity brought many of the decorations to life. With Community Fest, the light parade, festive storefronts, and the newly decorated Alley, Downtown Neenah will be filled with patriotic spirit all season long.”
For more information, visit www.futureneenah.org and Future Neenah’s Facebook Page.
July 4: Green Bay America 250, Leicht Memorial Park, downtown Green Bay
Green Bay knows how to party! This year, in addition to the annual Festival Foods Fire Over the Fox by On Broadway, the City of Green Bay is bringing America250 to northeast Wisconsin.
“The commemoration in Leicht Park… focuses on reflection, civic pride and the stories that connect our community to the nation’s history,” Michael Bergman, Communications Director for the City of Green Bay, explains. “The morning program is designed as a more ceremonial, family-friendly complement to the afternoon and evening festivities downtown.
“At a high level, our America 250 program will open with a color guard ceremony, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance led by local students and the national anthem performed by the Green Bay Southwest High School choir. We’re also planning a poetry reading by the City’s Poet Laureate, remarks highlighting the Oneida Nation’s contributions during the Revolutionary War, and comments from local elected officials tying the celebration back to our newly planted Liberty Tree on the riverfront.”
The Liberty Tree, planted on Arbor Day, connects themes of liberty, civic participation and environmental stewardship in a way that’s tangible for residents and visitors.
Later, the event includes a multitude of activities, beginning with the unveiling of “We the People: A Community Quilt for 250 Years,” a collaborative art project that encouraged community members to contribute individual quilt squares reflecting what “we the people” means to them today.
“Whether that’s family, service, cultural identity or a vision for the future,” Bergman shares. “Those pieces are then stitched together into a single quilt, creating a visual story of Green Bay’s connection to 250 years of American history and the diverse voices that make up our community. That program is being run by Downtown Green Bay, Inc.
“The Oneida Smoke Dancers will offer a powerful, high-energy performance rooted in Oneida tradition. Their dance honors the resilience, culture, and contributions of Indigenous people, and in this context helps us recognize the Oneida Nation’s role in the Revolutionary era as well as their ongoing presence in and around Green Bay today. It’s both an educational and celebratory moment that grounds America 250 in the original peoples of this land, not just the colonial narrative.”
“Marking America’s 250th anniversary is an opportunity to pause and reflect on both the promise and the complexity of our national story,” Bergman says. “For Green Bay, it’s a chance to lift up local narratives—the Oneida Nation’s Revolutionary War contributions, the evolution of our riverfront, the ways our residents have served and shaped this community—that connect directly to larger national themes. At the same time, 250 years invites us to think forward: what kind of community do we want to be for the next generation when we gather at the riverfront, under a Liberty Tree that is still young today but will outlive us.
“Many Fourth of July events focus primarily on fireworks and evening entertainment, which are wonderful traditions, but this morning gathering adds something different and complementary. Our America 250 program blends patriotic ceremony with local arts, Indigenous culture, youth performances, and a living environmental symbol in the Liberty Tree, so the day feels rooted in Green Bay rather than a generic celebration. It’s intentionally reflective without being heavy—families can start their holiday by hearing stories, seeing their kids on stage, and participating in something that will be remembered long after the fireworks fade. Then they can easily transition into On Broadway’s Festival Foods Fire Over the Fox festivities in the afternoon and evening, making it a full, meaningful day on the riverfront.”
As the sun begins to set, the celebration continues with one of Green Bay’s most beloved traditions: Fire Over the Fox. This annual Fourth of July celebration transforms downtown and features live music, family-friendly activities, food and drink, and a renowned fireworks show lighting up the Fox River skyline.
For more information and details surrounding the program, visit www.greenbay.com/america250, as well as the city’s social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, and X) under the City of Green Bay accounts. Green Bay 250 will coordinate information with On Broadway, Inc. so visitors can see how the morning program and the Festival Foods Fire Over the Fox activities connect across the full day.
July 20-26: Oshkosh EAA Air Venture “Celebrating the Freedom of Flight,” Wittman Regional Airport
EAA’s AirVenture, the largest fly-in convention in the world, needs no introduction when it comes to summer festivals; however, this year, there’s an added twist to commemorate America’s 250th year.
“‘Celebrating the Freedom of Flight’ will focus on the unique role aviation has played in America’s progress since that first flight of the Wright brothers in 1903,” Rick Larsen, EAA’s Vice President of Communities and member programs, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions, says. “Be it innovations by individuals or colossal accomplishments by the nation’s companies and our military, America’s leadership role in the progress of flight has been a remarkable part of our nation’s history that we’ll celebrate at Oshkosh.”
The event will cover more than 120 years of aviation, beginning with “Pioneers of Flight” program and exhibits about aviation’s first 25 years, to the latest fighter jets, unmanned aircraft, and spaceflights that showcase cutting-edge technology. That theme will be represented on the main Boeing Plaza ramp and during the daily air shows, as well as in evening programming at Theater in the Woods and at the Fly-In Theater.
“There are a variety of activities designed just for kids from the KidVenture area adjacent to the EAA Aviation Museum to the Youth Education Center at the center of the grounds,” Dick Knapinski, EAA Communications Director, shares.
“Having been around long enough to remember the nation’s bicentennial in 1976, I believe commemorating this anniversary is important. It reminds us of the unique experiment of liberty, opportunity and equality that allowed so many innovations take place in America. Aviation is a prime example of how people from every background have achieved great things for the aviation world here in America.
“EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is a one-of-a-kind event and is a gathering of aircraft and people in people that is unmatched anywhere in the world. It is still an amazing thing right here in our backyard in the Fox Valley. If someone likes aviation, technology, history, or just people watching, it’s is an event that is ‘one of one.’”
For more information, including pre-event tickets, parking passes and more, go to www.EAA.org/AirVenture. As the event nears, visit the EAA AirVenture app for a listing of specific America 250-related events during the week.