A plethora of activities are planned this summer to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
By Angela Henderson-Bentley
HQ 134 | SUMMER 2026
On July 4, the United States will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The occasion will serve not only as a moment to reflect on our nation’s past, but also as an opportunity to honor the contributions of all Americans and look ahead to the future.
“Taking time to celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary reminds us of the principles that have guided America since its founding,” said U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, a member of the United States Semiquincentennial Commission. “It’s a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come and honor those who built our country.”
As part of this historic milestone, America250 celebrations are planned throughout the country, including a number of activities and events in Huntington and Cabell County.
“I’m excited about the local commemorations, and I’m proud to see West Virginians embracing the opportunity to celebrate our past and our future,” Capito said.
Liza Caldwell, president of the Cabell County Commission, has been leading the planning of the county’s events for the past three years. She said she initially struggled, noting that Cabell County has no direct ties to Revolutionary War history. But she had a breakthrough when she realized that America250 is about more than battles or dates — it’s about people.
“I’ve lived in a lot of different places, and I know that Cabell County is a truly unique place,” Caldwell said. “And what makes it so unique are the people.”
From there, “America250 — Made by Us” was born. It is a celebration of the county’s story and its contributions to the broader history of the United States.
“America250 is an opportunity for Cabell County to reflect on our incredible strength, honor the brave who went before us and shaped our county and celebrate why we call this county our home,” Caldwell said. “Each story retold becomes the patchwork that shapes a brighter future for our children.”
Celebratory events throughout the summer span the entire county, from Huntington to Milton, and include special historical exhibits, educational programs and community events. It all begins Monday, June 15, with the opening of the “Legend Has It” multimedia art show, featuring storytelling through quilts, at the Marshall University Visual Arts Center. The show runs through Friday, July 24.
The celebrations continue on Thursday, July 2, and Friday, July 3, with daytime events at Heritage Farm and evening performances of the musical 1776 — featuring the Huntington Symphony Orchestra and Tony Award winner Michael Cerveris — at the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center. Also on the evening of July 3, Dawg Dazzle will take over Harris Riverfront Park, with West Virginia native Kathy Mattea headlining. The evening will conclude with a fireworks display at the riverfront.
“We timed the ending of 1776 with the ending of Dawg Dazzle and the beginning of the fireworks to all coincide,” Caldwell said. “So, everything kind of ties together.”
On Saturday, July 4, festivities move to Milton with the city’s Red, White & Fun Day and Blenko Glass Festival. That evening, Barboursville will host Fireworks & Food Trucks at Barboursville Park, with patriotic music provided by the Huntington Symphony Orchestra. Events honoring local veterans will take place on Sunday, July 5, in both Huntington and Barboursville.
“Everybody is just putting their little parts to it,” Caldwell said. “It’s really wonderful, and I’m excited about it.”
The events conclude Saturday, July 11, with Heritage Farm’s Summer Ice Cream Festival and an America250 celebration in Central City, featuring a reenactment of how the Declaration of Independence was communicated to the troops. On display at the event will be a quilt made up of squares created by children at county libraries and the Huntington Children’s Museum. A video will also be shown with the children sharing what America means to them.
“Our children are our future,” Caldwell said. “It’s important that we let them have a voice, and I want them to be as proud of being from Cabell County as I am.”
In addition to the events, another key part of the county’s America250 celebrations is a video produced by Impact Media, with local business, educational and community leaders speaking about what Cabell County means to them. That video and the children’s video will be submitted to the Library of Congress archives later this year.
Caldwell said she hopes the celebrations leave residents not only with lasting memories but also with a renewed sense of pride in both their community and themselves.
For more about the county’s America250 celebrations, visit cabellcounty.org/america250.
