The Village of New Concord invites residents and visitors from throughout southeastern Ohio to celebrate America’s 250th birthday during a full day of family-friendly activities on Saturday, July 11, culminating with a patriotic concert and fireworks in Village Park.
The America 250 Celebration represents a collaborative effort among the Village of New Concord, Celebrate New Concord, Muskingum University, the Museum Association of East Muskingum, NCAARD (New Concord Area Arts and Recreation District), the New Concord Area Board of Trade, local churches and businesses, and dozens of volunteers working together to commemorate this historic milestone.
The celebration begins the evening before on Friday, July 10, with NCAARD’s Free Outdoor Movie in the Park featuring Disney/Pixar’s classic Monsters, Inc. – 25th anniversary, sponsored by the New Concord Area Board of Trade and Genesis HealthCenter. Pre-movie festivities begin at 8 p.m., with the movie starting at dusk, offering families an opportunity to kick off the weekend of festivities together.
Activities on Saturday, July 11, begin at 10 a.m. with free walk-through tours of the John and Annie Glenn Museum and continue throughout the day with a community picnic, Harper Cabin tours, a free swim day at the New Concord Area Pool, bingo, vintage games, live entertainment including a special performance by the Sweet Adelines, New Concord Board of Trade Farmer’s Market, and family activities in Village Park. The celebration concludes with an evening performance by the Muskingum Valley Symphonic Winds at 8 p.m., followed immediately by the community fireworks display at dusk.
“America’s 250th birthday is an opportunity not only to celebrate our nation’s history, but also to celebrate the community that we continue to build together,” said Mary Beth Caudill, Communications and Community Events Coordinator for the Village of New Concord. “This event has truly been a community effort. We’re thankful to the many organizations, businesses, volunteers, and residents who have come together to create a day that reflects the pride and spirit of New Concord. We are especially grateful for the generosity of the many individual and business donors who contributed to our community fireworks fund, including our Patriotic Partners whose gifts of $250 or more helped make this spectacular display possible.”
The Muskingum Valley Symphonic Winds concert serves as the grand finale of the celebration and features a special patriotic ending. The Symphonic Winds’ final two selections will be performed with fireworks. In Tchaikovsky’s iconic 1812 Overture, fireworks will replace the famous cannon blasts, and the celebration concludes with one of America’s most beloved patriotic marches, John Philip Sousa’s The Stars and Stripes Forever.
The evening concert also marks a special collaboration with Celebrate New Concord, which has moved one of its traditional summer concerts from its usual Tuesday evening schedule to become part of the America 250 festivities.
Admission to all America 250 events is free. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets and spend the day enjoying the celebration before gathering for the concert and fireworks finale.
The America 250 Celebration is presented through the partnership of the Village of New Concord, Celebrate New Concord, Muskingum University, the Museum Association of East
Muskingum, NCAARD, local businesses and churches, community organizations, and numerous volunteers committed to celebrating the nation’s semiquincentennial and the community they proudly call home.
