On July 4, 2026, communities across the United States will commemorate and celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Special events, activities, and celebrations will be held locally and nationally. For the latest news and information on special events in Johnstown & Cambria County, visit this webpage and check back regularly! For more information about America250PA in Cambria County, contact Nicole at nicolew@visitjohnstownpa.com
America250PA Cambria County would like to thank the following sponsors:
Red, White, and Blue Sponsor:
To become a sponsor of Cambria County’s America250 efforts, click the “donate” button or contact Nicki at NicoleW@visitjohnstownpa.com.
America250PA Initiatives
Cambria County America250PA Torch
Cambria County school districts are invited to take part in the America 250 PA Torch program, a traveling initiative that encourages schools to create activities and lessons celebrating the upcoming 250th anniversary of America. Several districts have already signed on, and a few dates are still open for schools that want to participate. The goal is to spark pride, learning, and excitement throughout local classrooms and communities. Schools interested in hosting the torch can contact Nicole Waligora at nicolew@visitjohnstownpa.com for details.
Participating Schools
- Feb. 16 – 20: Johnstown
- Feb. 23 – 27: Conemaugh Valley
- Mar. 2 – 6: Portage
- Mar. 9 – 13: Windber
- Mar. 16 – 20: Penn Cambria
- Mar. 23 – 27: Blacklick Valley
- Mar. 30 – Apr. 3: Richland School District
- Apr. 6 – 10: Forest Hills
- Apr. 13 – 17: Bishop McCort
- Apr. 20 – 24: Bishop Carroll
- Apr. 27 – May. 1: Northern Cambria
- May 4 – 8: Central Cambria
- May 11 – 15: Westmont
- May 18 – 22: Ferndale Area School District
- May 25 – 29: Cambria Heights
Cambria County America250PA Essay Contest
The Cambria County America 250 PA Committee is holding an essay contest for local students in grades 4–12 to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Younger students will write 300–500 words, and older students will write 500–750 words, choosing from topics about what the Declaration means, its heroes, or why it still matters today. There are cash prizes for the top three essays in each age group. Schools will pick their top entries, and all essays, typed and double-spaced with a simple cover page, are due by Feb. 12, 2026.
“Liberty Bell Project”
Thank you to America250PA and the Bells Across PA initiative for making this possible. All Pennsylvania counties will receive a commemorative bell to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States. Cambria County is proud to display ours at the Cambria County Courthouse in Ebensburg, PA. Designed and painted by local artist and teacher Carol Cecere, the bell honors Cambria County’s rich history while highlighting the natural beauty of our region!
Liberty Bell Reveal Ceremony
“Liberty Tree Project”
During the American Revolutionary War, the Sons of Liberty would convene under the nation’s original Liberty Tree in Boston. The Tree became a symbol of hope and American freedom. Although the British destroyed Boston’s Liberty Tree, patriots from the 13 colonies began to grow and designate new Liberty Trees. The last known original Liberty Tree was located on the campus of Saint John’s University in Maryland until it was destroyed by Hurricane Floyd in 1999. Seeds from this original tree have been gathered and will be planted across the Commonwealth.
The Cambria County Liberty Tree was planted at Sandyvale Memorial Gardens, a location with great historical significance, as several Revolutionary War veterans are interred there.
The Pennsylvania Freemasons partnered with America250PA to sponsor planting Liberty Trees in all sixty-seven Pennsylvania counties. The tree, planted at Sandyvale Memorial Gardens, is a descendant of the last remaining Liberty Tree that stood in Annapolis, Maryland.
Nicki Waligora, Cambria County’s appointed representative to the America250PA Advisory Committee, said, “America250PA requested that all Liberty Trees be planted on land significant to the Revolutionary War. Because there are veterans of the Revolutionary War buried at Sandyvale, the location met the criteria for the tree planting. Sandyvale is the perfect location for Cambria County’s Liberty Tree,” she added.
Liberty Tree Planting Ceremony
Photos provided by Bryan Smith
250 Miles for America’s 250th!
Get outside and make 2026 your year on the trail with Cambria County’s 250 Miles for America’s 250 Challenge. From March 1 through December 31, explore local trails on foot or by bike and log your miles as you work toward the 250-mile goal. Every mile must be completed on Cambria County trails, including the full Ghost Town Trail system, and finishers earn a commemorative water bottle and sticker, plus a chance to win a grand-prize drawing. It’s a fun, flexible way to discover new paths, revisit favorite routes, and celebrate America’s 250th right here at home!
“America250PA Road to 2026”
America250PA is urging Pennsylvanians to walk, run, bike, or wheel their way to July 4, 2026. Participants can race at their own pace and submit their times to track their progress. The Road to 2026 is a 4-part cumulative challenge broken down into 250-mile or 2,500-mile increments per challenge to reach the following milestones:
- 1st milestone – 250-mile walk, run or wheel / 2,500-mile bike
- 2nd milestone – 500-mile walk, run or wheel / 5,000-mile bike
- 3rd milestone – 750-mile walk, run or wheel / 7,500-mile bike
- 4th milestone – 1,000-mile walk, run or wheel / 10,000-mile bike
Those who sign-up, track their progress and meet the milestones will receive a commemorative 2026 medal and will be eligible for additional prizes.
Ready to register? Go to: runsignup.com/Race/PA/Pittston/America250PA
Need some inspiration? Start your race in Cambria County! Go to: visitjohnstownpa.com/play/outdoor-adventures
Upcoming Events
Cambria Quiz: A Celebration of Local History
Cambria Quiz is a televised quiz show produced locally and dedicated to honoring the vibrant history of Cambria County. This engaging program will air throughout 2026, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of America’s founding.
Air Times: There will be three separate episodes of Cambria Quiz, and all three episodes will air on ABC 23 on May 18, 19, and 20 at 5 PM. The shows will also be re-aired around July 4th and Labor Day (Dates TBA).
4TH OF JULY PARADE & CEREMONY MARKING AMERICA’S 250TH ANNIVERSARY
Celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary with a special 4th of July celebration in downtown Ebensburg starting at 10:00 a.m. The event will feature a patriotic parade, a community ceremony, and a live musical performance by the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra. Attendees can also view two commissioned art pieces, the Cambria County Liberty Bell and the Cambria County Torch, and hear readings from the America 250 PA Essay Contest winners. Organized by the Cambria County America 250 PA Committee, the event invites the public to come together and honor the nation’s historic milestone!
CCLSYS America 250
Celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with CCLSYS America 250, a yearlong series of engaging programs exploring the people, ideas, and everyday life of the American Revolution. Highlights include a Women’s History Month watch party featuring Ken Burns’ The American Revolution, hands-on genealogy workshops with the Daughters of the American Revolution resources, colonial gardening and food experiences, and monthly “History Heroes” take-and-make activities for all ages. From wax art and family trees to colonial printing, toys, and quill writing, these events offer interactive ways to connect with the nation’s founding and those who lived it.
Middle Taylor Celebrates America 2026: June 26 – 27
Middle Taylor Celebrates America 2026 is a two-day community festival taking place June 26 – 27, 2026, across Middle Taylor Township, PA, including Benshoff Hill. The celebration begins Friday with a pancake breakfast, community service projects, kids’ activities, workshops, a community pig roast with live music, a concert, and a fireworks display, along with an evening Car Cruise-In from 5 – 8 PM featuring classic and custom vehicles, carnival games, food, a cornhole tournament, and a cake walk. Saturday continues with a sunrise paddle, the Heritage & Homecoming Parade at 10:30 AM, followed by a Touch-A-Truck event and free lunch, plus additional family-friendly activities throughout the day, making it a full weekend celebration for all ages!
March 14th: America @ 250 Part II: Copland
The Johnstown Symphony Orchestra’s celebration of America’s 250th anniversary continues with a powerful program honoring the nation’s spirit and history. The JSO will perform Adolphus Hailstork’s Epitaph for a Man Who Dreamed, a moving tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., alongside a newly co-commissioned work by Caroline Mallonee in partnership with the New York Philharmonic. The evening culminates in Copland’s Symphony No. 3, written in the wake of World War II, with a triumphant finale that elevates his Fanfare for the Common Man to new heights.