One Moment, Please… Celebrating 250 Years

Starting in late 2025, we started seeing more conversation at city council meetings regarding plans for communities to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States of America.

When planning for these types of events, there is no playbook.  This hasn’t been done before.

The last time I recall a significant anniversary for our country was in 1976 – our 200-year anniversary.  Well, I don’t really recall that celebration, because I was two years old.

But, I remember the bicentennial quarters that seemed to stay in circulation for the decades that followed.  Every time they appeared, it was a reminder of the anniversary of our country.

Are we celebrating the quarter-millenium or sestercentennial?

I think it will just be easier to call it the 250th.

For us at the newspaper, we have tried to do our part to help bring people together for this special anniversary.

250th at Your Home

Back in April, our team started selling 250th Anniversary yard signs.  We ordered 250 white and 250 dark signs. We have been selling them on a regular basis and it’s been great to see them on display in front of homes and businesses throughout the region.  We only ordered a limited supply, and we don’t plan to reorder, so if you want to get one or two, you may want to stop by our office soon.

Special Events Pages

For the 250th anniversary, we will be publishing 250th anniversary event celebration pages in the June 8 issue of the Fillmore County Journal, and again on June 29.

We’ve already had dozens of businesses, churches, chamber organizations, and historical societies sign up to be a part of these special anniversary pages.  If you’d like to promote your event or show your support for the 250th anniversary, please contact us at 507-765-2151 or ads@fillmorecountyjournal.com by noon on Tuesday, June 2.

Flag Giveaways

We partnered with Herold Flags in Rochester, Minn.  What a generous owner.  I asked him if he would be interested in donating any U.S. flags for us to give away to our readers as part of a contest.  We already conducted a drawing for the winners of these three flags.

•Sharon Meyer, Spring Valley

•Jacob Hanson, Chatfield

•Richard Pederson, Mabel

He provided us with five flags.  Three of those 3-foot by 5-foot flags are the traditional American flag. The other two are special 250th anniversary American flags, which cost quite a bit more.  Below are more details about how readers can win one of those special commemorative flags.

Essay Contest

We will be giving away $250 in gift cards and a special 250th Betsy Ross 1776-2026 American flag to winners of the 250th essay contest.

For more information on the essay contest, please see the full page ad in this week’s Fillmore County Journal. The submission deadline is June 16.  Essays may be submitted to www.fillmorecountyjournal.com/250essay