ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball signed an Executive Order establishing a Howard County workgroup to plan a celebration in honor of the U.S.’s 250th anniversary in July 2026. Photos of the event can be found here.
This anniversary is not merely a commemoration of our past but a celebration of our present and a guide for our future. As we celebrate this 250th anniversary, we will honor the countless individuals whose sacrifices and triumphs have paved the way for the United States to become a beacon of hope and opportunity. I am excited to see what the 250th Anniversary workgroup will develop for our celebration.
The workgroup will consist of historians, civic leaders, cultural representatives, event organizers and county staff. They are tasked with planning celebrations across the County through events, projects, and activities that reflect the United States’ unique history.
The workgroup is required to provide a written report to the County Executive by November 1, 2025.
This is truly a once in a generation opportunity, and I'm honored to be a part of it. To ensure our success, we will establish committees, which will include events like the Fourth of July celebration, cultural performances, reenactments and education panels, commemorative projects like a time capsule, and community, student and youth engagement.
The group will begin their work immediately and will continue through December 31, 2025, at which point an Implementation workgroup may be established to see the events to fruition. The workgroup will plan activities throughout 2026 which may include such events as fireworks displays, parades and festivals, cultural performances, historical reenactments and educational panels, community events, and special commemorative projects.
"What a fantastic opportunity to highlight the past we cherish and can learn from, and the future we to with hope, with optimism and with a commitment to continue with its improvement," said Delegate Natalie Ziegler, fifth-generation descendant of an original signer of the Declaration of Independence.
The group will consist of members from 25 local organizations, 3 county employees from the Department of Recreation and Parks, up to nine community members (including youth and student representatives), and representatives from eight County Boards and Commissions.
"The Merriweather Arts and Cultural Center, we are a non-profit organization that works every day to help nurture and grow an Arts and Culture Ecosystem, that showcases the best of our community,” said Ian Kennedy, Merriweather Arts and Cultural Center. “That ecosystem touches every corner of this community through partnerships and collaboration. This workgroup is so exciting for us. We have the chance to work with so many different representatives in our community, and to collaborate together on this important celebration, which we know will certainly showcase the best of our community and our country, and we are excited to get to work."
"These days, patriotism has become taboo for young people in Howard County because more often than not, it's become associated with what many of us find to be the darkest moments in modern American history,” said Rohan Warrier, youth member of the workgroup. “An event like this allows us to redefine patriotism for young Howard Countians like me to create a vision for America we can all proudly fight for."
"I am dedicated to seeing that it (this project) be the best that our county has to offer to our students, citizens, and visitors,” said Marlena Jareaux, Howard County Lynching Truth. “I look forward to doing our part to help amaze them all with the actual and factual history of this place that I love."
"We would like to put together some interactive events for the people in the county to remark the events leading up to the revolution, and how Howard County participated in the revolution,” said Connie Siegel, Historic Ellicott City. “So, we, (the historicals), are anxious to help in this effort, and we'll continue to bring this to fruition so that all of the people in the county can feel a part of the revolution as it was and what it means for people today."
"I'm so excited to be a part of this incredible commemoration,” said Nina Basu, community member. “I am a lifelong resident of this county and so much of America's story is a story of immigration, a story of disparate people from across the world coming to the United States where we get to part of this amazing history."