Erie County unveils plans America 250 celebrations

Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Erie County announced plans on Thursday for a robust and unique calendar of events and programs that will take place locally in celebration the 250th anniversary of the establishment of the United States of America.

Among the highlights from the full slate of summer programming is “716 Celebrates: Stars, Stripes, and Signers” on Sunday, Aug. 2. The event will commemorate the date in 1776 when members of the Continental Congress began signing the engrossed parchment copy of the Declaration of Independence.

While July 4 marks the adoption of America’s independence, Aug. 2 makes the moment when many of the signers personally placed their names on the document and pledged themselves to the cause.

The event will include a celebration of American history and education with interactive activities planned that involve U.S. military heritage and cultural programming being provided by numerous heritage partners. There will also be live musical entertainment, food and beverages, family activities, a reading of the Declaration of Independence, and a fireworks display along Buffalo’s waterfront.

“We are pleased to announce that Erie County is offering its own American 250 celebration this year,” said Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz. “Erie County’s history of innovators, trailblazers and history makers from our many dynamic communities have helped shape our nation over these many years. In short, Erie County’s history is United States’ history. I encourage county residents and visitors to our region to attend some of these special events in the weeks and months ahead and help celebrate our incredible nation and its storied history.”

Erie County has partnered with Visit Buffalo to showcase and highlight some notable historical events locally, and also provide an entire schedule for upcoming events and programs available. The events can be found here:

“We are excited at the lineup of events this spring and summer and want to make sure the public is aware that there will be a special website for a complete rundown of events, along with stories, at eriecounty250.com,” said Visit Buffalo president and CEO Patrick Kaler. “This will be a special commemoration for residents and visitors over the next few months.”