The Palominas parade is on July 4th at 9am at the corner of Palominas Rd & Hwy 92.
CELEBRATION
HEADQUARTERS
Cochise County Celebrates
America's 250th
1776 - 2026
Let's enlarge, extend, and amplify this year’s celebrations; encourage civic engagement, service, and historical education; and help each community take part in this once-in-a-generation national celebration!
Join millions of other Americans in celebrating, reflecting, and passing on the legacy of liberty!
We’re compiling all the ways to celebrate America's 250th this year in Cochise County.
Here you'll find resources for individuals and organizations to participate, celebrate, and commemorate: local events, get and share ideas, post a patriotic message of encouragement and support, and more.
The Price of Freedom Is Eternal Vigilance
Sadly, decades of national surveys have shown that civic literacy among adults is severely lacking. Many are calling it a national crisis and placing blame on educational institutions. One survey found political leaders scored worse than the general public.
Regardless, civic responsibility is required for We the People to pass the blessings of liberty on to future generations. Let's make civic education a part of our commemorations this year and celebrate the things that make us strong. Let's be intentional and make this commemoration a little deeper, a little longer, and a little more meaningful!
Liberty Requires a Responsible Informed Citizenry!
Do you realize the risks involved, the prices paid, and the suffering endured by America's founding generation to win liberty? Why did they do it? For posterity - you and I!
There's no better time to learn, relearn, or better learn the history of America's founding documents, to sharpen your communication skills, and to pass the legacy of liberty on to future generations. Join us to strengthen your community, economy, and liberty!
GO BIG for America's 250th!
Demonstrate Your Support For Liberty
IDEAS FOR INDIVIDUALS (families, neighborhoods, etc.)
- Show Your Patriotic Colors: Light up buildings in red, white, and blue; decorate with patriotic themes (eg. flags, bunting); create historical exhibits (eg. posters, timelines, artwork); and wear patriotic apparel all year long.
- Get Everyone Involved: We have contests aimed at getting the whole county involved. Share your personal referral link with friends, neighbors, and community leaders. Earn Cochise Strong Rewards and a place on our Leaderboard.
- Read a Patriotic Book: Examples include David Ramsay’s The History of the American Revolution (1789), Noah Webster’s History of the United States (1832), Lives of the Signers (1848), Wives of the Signers (1912), and The 5000 Year Leap (1981). Join the Cochise Strong Book Club to share reviews of your favorite books and find others.
- Quizzes: Can you fill in the blanks to complete some famous American quotes? Do you know how America’s founding documents limit government to its proper role? (Do you know its proper role?) Participate in America's 250th and test your civic literacy by taking one or more informative quizzes.
- Public Reading and Signing Ceremonies: Read and sign founding documents with family and friends, at public ceremonies, etc.
- Stage Reenactments: Choose significant events in the establishment of our Republic (see the timeline of important dates below). Work with others to put on a show!
- Prayer Meetings: Thank God for His blessings and pray for our country, our state, our county, and our neighbors.
- Organize a Block Party: Bring the best ideas from this year of celebrations to your neighborhood!
IDEAS FOR ORGANIZATIONS (businesses, towns, departments, etc.)
- Raise Public Awareness & Visibility: Include in marketing campaigns to leave a lasting impression. Link to CochiseStrong.org/250th, a one-stop hub for event listings and resources for how people can get involved. Use our media kit for logos, celebratory posters/flyers, and social graphics. Add a badge to websites, letterhead, and signage. Integrate into fairs, parades, concerts, fireworks celebrations, sporting events, cultural festivals, and other public gatherings.
- Mayoral Proclamation or Organizational Resolution: Provide leadership and declare support for the 250th anniversary of our nation’s independence. Renew commitments to our founding principles and unite our communities around our shared ideals.
- Ceremony, Parade, Flag Raising, Bell Ringing, Fireworks: The historic Semiquincentennial is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for every community to expand normal celebrations, honor the Founders who sacrificed for our liberty, reflect on our heritage, and teach civic responsibility to new generations.
- Employee Engagement: Rally the team around this national celebration with campaigns to commemorate the milestone. Ideas include patriotic decorating parties, gifts such as drinkware or apparel, themed office events, civic education such as our Civic Literacy Quizzes, a time capsule for the tricentennial, or creating a volunteer service challenge.
- Emotional Connection: Patriotism creates a natural increase in tourism, local participation, and higher foot traffic in public and retail spaces. People are more likely to engage with themed experiences, keep meaningful merchandise, and remember brands tied to positive moments.
- Patriotic Promotions: Boost your brand by launching limited-edition, themed merchandise, “Made in America” products, $2.50, $250, or $17.76 specials or a 17.76% discount. Engage in community outreach at events and on Cochise Strong forums.
- Beautification Initiatives: Plant “Liberty Trees” as living memorials. Commission a historical marker, plaque, or a local artist-designed commemorative mural that will endure beyond 2026. Clean up a historic cemetery or spruce up Main Street with new American pleated fan flags and bunting to create a beautification legacy.
- Parks, Town Squares, Historic Sites: Celebrate with outdoor challenges linked to 250 or 1776, bring history to life with colonial-themed reenactments, public readings, period music, storytelling, and decorations.
- All-Year Celebration: Emphasize that 2026 is special. Get ideas from the lists above. See the timeline of important dates below and work the milestones into your marketing. Structure campaigns in phases throughout the year.
Timeline of Significant Events and Important Dates
Do You Support America's 250th?
Hang up a celebratory poster/flyer and share graphics online.
Post your patriotic message below!
America 250
Which city in Cochise County is the most patriotic???
Comments
Benson!
St. Andrew’s Concert Series presents “A Salute to America” featuring the Seipp/Fickley Duo on Friday, July 10, 2026 at 7 PM.
Please join us for a musical celebration of USA250 with Chuck Seipp, Trumpet and Todd Fickley, Organ as they play rousing Patriotic songs and reverent Hymns including an audience Sing-along and a tribute to our Veterans and Active Duty Military. Set to a moving video presentation the duo takes us on a visual journey across America while performing favorites such as God of Our Fathers, Battle Hymn of the Republic, America, Mansions of the Lord, God Bless America and other stirring patriotic songs and reverent hymns on the historic 1949 Moeller Pipe Organ, the largest playable instrument in Cochise County.
The concert admission is free, there will be no charge to attend, a freewill offering will be accepted for the ongoing restoration and maintenance of the organ. St. Andrew the Apostle Church is located at 800 Taylor Drive, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635. For more information contact Rebecca Williams (520) 234-0888 rbwilliams_tbtg@msn.com or John Hill (847) 774-8293 hillj6265@gmail.com.
I've seen trucks driving around with flags flying from a flagpole behind the cab. I've seen them on motorcycles too. I saw one the other day that said something about 1776. I think they look pretty cool!
"The Revolution was effected before the War commenced…The Revolution was in the minds and hearts of the people; a change in their religious sentiments of their duties and obligations… This radical change in the principles, opinions, sentiments, and affections of the people, was the real American Revolution." John Adams
That is what we need again! A change of mind in the people to read their constitution. This is what will wake them up and change our nation, so that they understand just exactly what our government should and should not be doing.
I love the idea of being more intentional and meaningful! Anybody have any ideas for good civics history for kids? I don't know if the stuff they're taught in school is very good.
Comments
Check out the Tuttle Twins - books for all ages including young adults. Read them as a family and you'll be amazed at how much YOU will learn. It's a shame that so much of our history and founding principles have been slowly removed from schools going back decades (as shown by various studies).
Replies
That is perfect! Thank you so much. I also found they have a series streaming on Angel and Angel will have Young Washington in theaters on July 3rd.
Happy 250th! Remember to think about fire safety as summer heat is officially arriving.
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Happy Birthday America! We love you!!!
June 4, 1776: "To form a new Government, requires infinite care, & unbounded attention; for if the foundation is badly laid the superstructure must be bad … every Man should consider, that he is lending his aid to frame a Constitution which is to render Million’s happy, or Miserable, and that a matter of such moment cannot be the Work of a day."
- George Washington to John Augustine Washington (mountvernon.org)
O beautiful for spacious skies
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
Local Events Calendar
Benson
Benson is "all in" for America's 250th with events all year long - they even changed the city logo for the occasion! In the fall they will be having a scavenger hunt focused around historical/important things that the valley has to offer along with specific places in Benson.
Benson Public Library
Coloring Contest Celebrating America’s 250th
Deadline: passed
Coloring pages can be download by clicking on the example images.
On July 13, 2026, at the Benson City Council Meeting, Mayor Joe Konrad read a proclamation in support of America's 250th.
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Bisbee
A proclamation supporting America's 250th was read at Bisbee's Mayor and Council Meeting on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.
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Douglas
Douglas celebrated a successful kickoff to America's 250th and Arizona's 114th statehood anniversary back in February with its "Raulito" Author/Playwright Performance (inspired by the book "Raulito – The First Latino Governor of Arizona"). Douglas events include additional cultural programs incorporating America's 250th themes and highlighting community stories, local heritage, and civic engagement.
Douglas Mayor Jose Grijalva made a proclamation on June 10, 2026, on behalf of the City of Douglas Council, making July 4, 2026, America 250 Anniversary Day in Douglas and encouraging "all residents, civic organizations, businesses, and community groups to participate in commemorative activities, educational programs, and celebrations throughout 2026 that recognize this historic event and affirm our unyielding commitment to the freedom and independence of the United States of America."
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Huachuca City
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Sierra Vista
The Tombstone Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution (based in Sierra Vista), installed and dedicated a Patriots of the Revolutionary War America 250! Marker at the Southern Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery on November 15, 2025. It can be viewed at 1300 S Buffalo Soldier Trail, Sierra Vista, down by the chapel in the memorial walkway.
The Tombstone Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution
"Little Free Library" building, stocking, and dedicating in honor of America 250!
October 17, 2026, around 12:30 pm
The library will be placed at 1984 Exeter Street, Sierra Vista. Once complete it will be stocked with books honoring the founding of our country. Stop by and grab a book to help us celebrate and share our country's history.
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Tombstone
Tombstone has gone all out for the 250th! They decorated the town and all of their events this year have the 250th as its theme.
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Willcox
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