Your guide to celebrating America 250 in Delaware County

DELAWARE COUNTY — This year’s July 4th holiday marks 250 years since the United States adopted the Declaration of Independence, establishing separation from Great Britain’s government.

All around the country, states, cities and towns have made plans to celebrate America’s biggest birthday to date.

But the celebrations aren’t limited to extra special fireworks shows on the big day — organizations throughout Delaware County have prepared an array of historical events to celebrate our national and local history.

Below is the ultimate guide to all events leading up to, on and after July 4 in Delaware County. Activities are listed in chronological order:

April events

Collage of America’s 250th Exhibit: View a diverse collection of artwork from 50 different artists who share their interpretations of American history and freedom through paint, photography, sculpture, and thread. The exhibit also features historical artifacts from the Delaware County Historical Society and maps decorated by local third-grade students.

• When: March 16-May 29, with an artist reception on April 12, 3–5:30 p.m.
• Where: 190 W. Winter St., Delaware

Delaware County Model Railroaders Open House: Members of the model railway group will share the history of railroads in America.

• When: April 18, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and April 19, 12-4 p.m.
• Where: Sandel Legacy Trail, 168 S. Vernon St., Sunbury

Paul Revere reenactment and discussion: Brent Carson will dress as Paul Revere and discuss the events of the early struggles leading to independence and Revere’s individual role which made him an American hero at the Powell Historical Society.

• When: April 20, 7-8 p.m.
• Where: 47 Hall St., Powell, in the Community (East) room

Delaware County’s transportation evolution presentation: See photos and illustrations and hear from Delaware County Historical Society Historian Editor Becky Cornett about the evolution of moving people and products within and outside the county, which has always been a crossroads for the state and larger region.

• When: April 21, 7-9 p.m.
• Where: The Barn at Stratford, 2690 Stratford Road, Delaware

Learn About the Moon Landing from Whiz Bang Science: Relive the 1969 Moon Landing with Dr. Dave of Whiz Bang Science, and learn some fun scientific concepts as part of the 2026 COSI Science Festival.

• When: April 29, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
• Where: Liberty Branch Library, Community Room A and B, 7468 Steitz Road, Powell 

How Ohio won the Civil War: Join Delaware County Historical Society historian Michael Wise for a look at the critical role Ohio soldiers and resources played in preserving the American union during its greatest internal challenge.

• When: April 30, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
• Where: Delaware Main Library, 84 E. Winter St., Delaware

May events

Inventing America: 250 Years of STEAM with Main Street: Celebrate American ingenuity during First Friday by exploring interactive, hands-on STEAM experiments and creative challenges inspired by famous American inventors throughout history.

• When: May 1, 6–9 p.m.
• Where: Downtown Delaware on Sandusky Street

Sheep Shearing & Wool Festival: Celebrate the agricultural roots of the county with a traditional sheep shearing demonstration and learn how wool was processed by early Ohio families. This event is hosted by Preservation Parks of Delaware County.

• When: May 2, 2026, 12:00 – 3:00 p.m.
• Where: Gallant Farm, 2150 Buttermilk Hill Rd, Delaware

Oak Grove Cemetery Revolutionary War graves tour: The Delaware City Parks and Recreation Department, in partnership with the Delaware chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution, will do tour of Revolutionary War veterans’ grave sites. No sign-up necessary and all are welcome to the free event.

• When: May 9, 10 a.m.
• Where: Oak Grove Cemetery, 334 S. Sandusky St.

Preservation Parks: 250 Years of the Ohio Landscape: Join a naturalist from Preservation Parks of Delaware County for a guided walk exploring how the local flora and fauna have shifted from the virgin forests of 1776 to the protected parklands of today.

• When: May 9, 1-2:30 p.m.
• Where: Deer Haven Park, 4183 Liberty Road, Delaware

Library Jeopardy – America 250 (Arts, Culture, and Literature): Test your knowledge of American history and heritage in a fun, competitive Jeopardy-style game focusing on the nation’s influential authors, artists and cultural milestones.

• When: May 12, 7–8 p.m.
• Where: Orange Branch Library (Community Room), 7171 Gooding Boulevard, Delaware

Irene Carpenter’s Journal presentation: The Irena Carpenter Journal is a historical fiction account of the Nathan Carpenter family’s 1801 journey from New York to the banks of the Olentangy River— before the area became Liberty Township in Delaware County. Written by Sherry Carmichael, the journal comes to life in a video presentation in which she portrays Irena.

• When: May 18, 7-8 p.m. Optional reservations are requested to be made by May 18 at 8 a.m.
• Where: 47 Hall St., Powell, in the Community (East) room

Boston Tea Party Craft and Tea Tasting: Experience a bit of revolutionary history by participating in a themed craft session followed by a tea tasting, while learning about the pivotal events of 1773 that led to American independence.

• When: May 20, 5–7 p.m.
• Where: Orange Branch Library (Community Room), 7171 Gooding Boulevard, Delaware

June events

Freedom in Nature: Wildlife & Heritage Walk: Take a guided hike, hosted by an Ohio Department of Natural Resources naturalist, through Alum Creek State Park to learn about the wildlife connected to the story of the Underground Railroad. 

• When: June 13, 1-2 p.m.
• Where: Alum Creek State Park, 3305 S. Old State Road, Delaware

Ohio Geology Discovery Day: Learners of all ages who are excited about rocks, minerals, fossils and more are invited to explore the Horace R. Collins Laboratory and engage in hands-on learning activities. Visitors can deepen their knowledge of Earth Science by attending special presentations hosted by the ODNR Division of Geological Survey.

• When: June 13, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Where: Alum Creek State Park, 3305 S. Old State Road, Delaware

“America’s Hometown Movie Theaters” Panel: Author Benita VanWinkle joins a panel at the historic Strand Theatre to discuss the architectural and social significance of small-town movie houses and their role in American culture.

• When: June 17, times to be announced
• Where: The Strand Theatre, 28 E. Winter St., Delaware

Naturalist-Led BioBlitz Bonanza: Join a naturalist at Alum Creek State Park to view tables of insects and animals seen at the park, borrow a bug net or binoculars to look for and catch wildlife and come for a 1-mile hike to document species.

• When: June 20, first hike begins at 1 p.m. and next hike begins at 3 p.m.
• Where: Alum Creek State Park, 3305 S. Old State Road, Delaware

The Gallant Farm Community Picnic: Step back into a simpler time with a community-wide picnic featuring 18th-century lawn games and traditional music, hosted by Preservation Parks at their period-authentic farm.

• When: June 28, 12-4 p.m.
• Where: Gallant Farm, 2150 Buttermilk Hill Road, Delaware

Powell’s Celebrate America 250: Powell’s Parks and Recreation Department will host an America 250 festival downtown, which features a performance from The Ohio National Guard’s 122^nd Army Band at 7 p.m. at Village Green Park. The city is still finalizing other event details.

• When: June 30, TBA
• Where: Village Green Park, 47 Hall St., Powell

July events

City of Delaware Independence Day and 250 Celebration: The City of Delaware is expanding its traditional July 4 festivities to include a “time capsule” ceremony and a special historical parade preceding the annual fireworks display.

• When: July 4, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
• Where: Downtown Delaware and Ohio Wesleyan University (Fireworks)

Orange Township Independence Day Parade: This year’s parade theme is “250 Years of the American Spirit.” The route begins at the Olentangy Orange Middle School roundabout and winds through the community, ending at the high school. 

• When: July 4,10:00 a.m.
• Where: Orange Road and Walker Wood Boulevard, Lewis Center

Ostrander 4th of July Festival: A classic small-town celebration featuring a 10 a.m. parade and a community fireworks display at dusk, with more events to come. Hosted by Scioto Township/Ostrander.

• When: July 4, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Where: Downtown Ostrander and the Ostrander Baseball Fields

Big Walnut’s parade and fireworks: The annual parade starts at Big Walnut Middle School at 10 a.m., and at 4 p.m. there will be food trucks, a kids zone, a glow party and fireworks show.

• When: July 4, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Where: Big Walnut Middle School, 555 S. Old 3C Road, Sunbury

Homecoming picnic: Celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence with live music, food trucks, games and more.

• When: July 11, 1-5 p.m.
• Where: Orange Branch Library, 7171 Gooding Boulevard, Delaware

August events

Sunbury Sizzle & Sounds: Red, White and Blue Notes: This music festival features a curated lineup of American genres—from bluegrass to jazz—celebrating 250 years of American musical evolution. The event will also feature food trucks and activities for kids along with the all-day music.

• When: August 15, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Where: Sunbury Town Square, Sunbury

September events

America 250 Historical Firearms Demonstration: Visit the Delaware Shooting Range for an educational open house featuring demonstrations of firearms from different eras of American history, from the Revolutionary War to the present.

• When: September 19, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Where: Delaware Wildlife Area Shooting Range, 5202 Shoemaker Road, Ashley