The Oswego Village Board Tuesday evening will consider allocating $100,000 in capital funds for local events to commemorate and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
America turns 250 years old on July 4, 2026. Plans to celebrate the country’s big day have been in the works for the better part of a decade, with Congress in 2016 establishing the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission to facilitate countrywide plans for celebrating the anniversary.
The national commemoration, dubbed America250, “is a nonpartisan initiative working to engage every American in commemorating the 250th anniversary of our country,” according to the effort’s website at https://america250.org/.
Oswego officials are looking at funding for the events to be held locally to celebrate the country’s 250th birthday.
“The journey toward this historic milestone is an opportunity to pause and reflect on our nation’s past, honor the contributions of all Americans and look ahead toward the future we want to create for the next generation and beyond,” Oswego Assistant Village Administrator Madeleine Upham said in a report to trustees.
Upham said the village has established a team of community members and village staff to bring a “uniquely Oswego celebration to life” for the anniversary.
Trustees are being asked to allocate $10,000 for this year and another $90,000 in 2026 to help fund the local celebrations.
“These funds will help create educational programming, long-lasting infrastructure for future Oswego (residents) to use and benefit from as well as a fun experience for all to participate in,” Upham said.
Tess Kenny of the Chicago Tribune contributed.
Linda Girardi is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
