SOUTHEAST MISSOURI
America’s 250th Birthday Bash – Caruthersville
July 4, 2026
Freedom parade
Reading of the Declaration of Independence
Liberty on the Mississippi celebration
Food trucks and bounce houses
Birthday cake at 7:30 p.m.
Fireworks at dark
America’s 250th Celebration Weekend – Jackson
July 3–5, 2026 | Jackson City Park
Patriotic parade
Kid Zone
Fireworks show
Live music
Biergarten & home brew competition
Mud volleyball tournament
Car show
Movie in the park
Longest beard contest
Community worship service
America’s 250th Parade – Perryville
Thursday, July 2 | 6 p.m.
Community parade for businesses and organizations
Fireworks afterward at Perry Park Center
Bluff’s All-American Weekend – Poplar Bluff
June 5–6, 2026 | Ray Clinton Park
Demolition derby
Live music
Food and craft vendors
Drone show
Monster truck rides
Bounce houses
Dog show
Hot dog eating contest
Firecracker 5K – Jackson
July 4, 2026 | Starts at 7:04 a.m.
Mercy Fitness Center – HealthPoint Jackson
Benefits Mercy Children’s Wellness Fund
Includes race entry, T-shirt, swag bag and childcare options
Ice Cream Social & Community Worship Service – Jackson
Sunday, July 5 | City of Jackson Band Shell
Ice Cream Social at 5 p.m.
Sponsored by American Ice Cream
Community worship service to follow
Free family-friendly event
“Honoring Our Heroes” Luncheon – Perryville
July 4, 2026 | Noon
Immanuel Lutheran School Gym
Honors local heroes and America’s 250th birthday
Free tickets available for veterans, heroes and guests
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
America’s 250th Birthday Bash – Caruthersville
July 4, 2026
Hometown Freedom Parade
Reading of the Declaration of Independence
Liberty on the Mississippi celebration
Food trucks, bounce houses and souvenirs
Birthday cake at 7:30 p.m.
Fireworks at dark
America’s 250th Celebration – Marion
Thursday, July 2, 2026 | Mtn Dew Park
Professional Bull Riding returns for the first time since 2023
Patriotic Sky Elements drone show
Live concert by country artist Easton Corbin
Family-friendly activities
Tickets start at $25
City of Anna 4th of July & America 250 Celebration
Parade participants welcome
Stars & Stripes Dachshund Dash
Vendors wanted
Sweet corn eating contest
Hot dog eating contest
Tractor and car show
Volunteer opportunities available
Memorial Day Service – Carbondale
Monday, May 25, 2026 | 10 a.m.
Woodlawn Cemetery
Keynote address by Desert Storm veteran Dr. Randy Burnside
Honor Guard flag services
Civil War reenactments
Honors one of the nation’s earliest Memorial Day observances
Rend Lake Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration – Benton/Rend Lake
July 3-4, 2026 | Rend Lake Golf Resort
Fireworks return after several years
Live music
Food trucks
Kids activities
Rodeo both nights
Free family-friendly event
Stars, Stripes & Summer Nights – Golconda
11 a.m. — Side-by-side and golf cart parade on Main Street
2 p.m. — Amazing Race competition on the courthouse lawn
Dusk — Fireworks sponsored by Golconda Marina
WESTERN KENTUCKY
Kentucky State Police Foundation Launches “250 for $250” Campaign
Fundraising initiative celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.
Supports Kentucky State Police troopers, officers and personnel through foundation-funded resources.
Organizers are encouraging 250 supporters to donate $250.
Calloway County Forms America250 Committee
Calloway County established an America250 committee to coordinate local celebrations.
Members include representatives from county government, tourism, the public library, local historical organizations and the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Liberty Tree Project Comes to Calloway County
A tulip poplar, Kentucky’s state tree, was planted as part of a statewide Liberty Tree Project.
The initiative aims to place a commemorative tree in each of Kentucky’s 120 counties to honor the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Mayfield-Graves County Collecting “250 Memories”
Residents are invited to share favorite local memories as part of the “250 Memories of Mayfield-Graves County” project.
Selected stories will be highlighted leading up to Independence Day celebrations and other America 250 events.
Mayfield-Graves County Planning America 250 Events
Tourism officials say additional activities are planned throughout 2026 to commemorate the nation’s 250th birthday.
Hickman County’s Independence 250 Celebration
The Hickman County Chamber of Commerce is organizing an expanded Independence 250 event.
Community organizations, businesses and political candidates are invited to participate.
America 250 Overview
America 250 commemorates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.
Communities across Kentucky, Missouri, Illinois and the nation are planning events, educational programs, historical commemorations, community service projects and celebrations throughout 2026.
America’s 250th Birthday Celebration – Benton
Friday, July 3, 2026, | H.H. Lovett Park
Free admission to Benton City Pool from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Bounce obstacle course, Dunk tank, Foam party, Petting Zoo, Giant lawn games, Free hot dogs, chips and drinks, Family-friendly celebration honoring America’s 250th birthday – H.H. Lovett Park, Benton, Kentucky
