{"id":193288,"date":"2026-07-06T21:26:22","date_gmt":"2026-07-06T21:26:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/193288\/"},"modified":"2026-07-06T21:26:22","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T21:26:22","slug":"lebanon-county-celebrates-americas-250th-independence-day-live-updates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/193288\/","title":{"rendered":"Lebanon County celebrates America’s 250th: Independence Day live updates"},"content":{"rendered":"

We\u2019re celebrating Lebanon County\u2019s role in American history. Read more here.<\/a><\/p>\n

\"America250<\/a><\/p>\n

This Independence Day, LebTown will provide live updates from the Lebanon Valley Exposition Center and Fairgrounds as Lebanon County celebrates America\u2019s 250th birthday.<\/p>\n

Lebanon County\u2019s semiquincentennial celebration has been in the works since 2024.<\/p>\n

<\/a>11:30 a.m. \u2013 Fireworks scratched again<\/p>\n

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The fireworks have been cancelled for tonight due to forecasted inclement weather. Officials plan to explore a possible new date in the future, but details are unavailable at this time.<\/p>\n

<\/a>8 p.m. \u2013 In service to his nation, state & mankind<\/p>\n

It was fitting that decorated serviceman and former state Representative Frank Ryan was the keynote speaker at the Main Ceremony during Celebrate 250 in the Valley.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It was noted that Ryan began his service in the United States Marine Corps reserve in 1969, retiring in 2002 at the rank of colonel. Among his service assignments was US Central Command during Operation Enduring Freedom in 2002.\u00a0<\/p>\n

But that wasn\u2019t the end of his service to the nation.<\/p>\n

\"\"Highly decorated serviceman and former state representative Frank Ryan was the keynote speaker during the Main Ceremony that was moved from the grandstand to the Senator Brightbill Arena due to inclement weather. (James Mentzer)<\/p>\n

Col. Ryan was recalled to active duty in 2004, serving with the multinational force Iraq until 2005. In total, Colonel Ryan received three legions of merit. The Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal, and the United States Army Commendation Medal.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In 2016, Ryan was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and served three terms before retiring in 2022. Throughout all that service to the nation, he has worked tirelessly as an advocate for children with special needs, even walking across America to raise funds and awareness for that cause.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Several of the speakers who preceded his address joked about his age, and Ryan, in keeping with his good nature, also poked fun at himself during his remarks.<\/p>\n

\"\"VFW Post 23 Honor Guard did Presentation of the Colors during the Main Ceremony. (James Mentzer)<\/p>\n

\u201cI was actually there at the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and I have to tell you that Ben Franklin was obnoxious,\u201d Ryan quipped, to much laughter from the capacity crowd. \u201cIt was very difficult to deal with. Thomas Jefferson was just about ready with the Declaration. When Ben Franklin looked at me and said, \u2018Don\u2019t you think we ought to change the third paragraph?\u2019 We had a runabout attack to write it all over again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Laughter aside, Ryan gave a powerful presentation, extolling the virtues of the nation and, of course, those men and women who have made Lebanon County what it is today.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn Lebanon County, we were the bedrock of freedom. We were the home of farmers, iron workers, tradesmen, frontier fables,\u201d Ryan said, later adding that Lebanon Countians are good people. \u201cLebanon County welcomes people (from) everywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"Speakers at the Main Ceremony, held in Senator Brightbill Arena, included local state elected officials from the House and Senate, City of Lebanon mayor, and Lebanon County Commissioners. Here, the speakers stand during the singing of the \u201cNational Anthem.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/a>8:50 p.m. \u2013 Fireworks postponed<\/p>\n

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LebTown has been informed by several event officials that the fireworks have been postponed until tomorrow evening. <\/p>\n

The Main Ceremony continues in Senator Brightbill Arena at this time with main speaker former Rep. Frank Ryan delivering remarks to the capacity crowd.<\/p>\n

Readers are encouraged to follow the city\u2019s and the 250 anniversary committee\u2019s websites for updates tomorrow concerning the fireworks, which are scheduled for 9:15 p.m.<\/p>\n

\"\"Storm clouds that led to a rain storm, thunder and lightning around 7:15 p.m. with more on the way has led to the fireworks show being postponed to Sunday evening. Stay tuned for more details for showtime. (James Mentzer)<\/p>\n

<\/a>8:35 p.m. \u2013 Scenes from a celebration<\/p>\n

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Here is a photo gallery from today\u2019s Celebrate 250 in the Valley event at the Lebanon Exposition Center & Fairgrounds. All photos by James Mentzer.<\/p>\n

\"\"This photo represents the first time that the three major projects of the county\u2019s 250th committee over the past two years were together at the same time. The patriotic mosaic, the hand-carved wooden Liberty Bell loaned by county coroner Jeffrey Yocum for promotion of this special occasion, and the second Liberty Bell, which contains scenes from the Jeff and Sue Werner sunflower farm on one side and the Union Canal on the other. The sunflower bell has been on display at Visit Lebanon Valley while the wooden version has been on tour, having been in parades and making appearances at public schools in Lebanon County. <\/p>\n

\"\"An American flag welcomes guests to the Expo Center for the Celebrate 250 in the Valley.<\/p>\n

\"\"Fire apparatus, Richland\u2019s first, from 1907 was on display for the anniversary celebration. <\/p>\n

\"\"Info for the hose cart and early chemical engine for Neptune Fire Company, as seen in the photo immediately above.<\/p>\n

\"\"A bakery wagon, circa 1880 through 1915, left, and a poultry wagon delivered food that fed Lebanon Countians. <\/p>\n

\"\"A Conestoga wagon from a bygone era was one of thousands of artifacts at the Expo Center on July 4 for the Celebrate 250 in the Valley event. <\/p>\n

\"\"Performer Matt Dodd entertained guests in the Wenger Pavilion on Saturday. <\/p>\n

\"\"A young guest is among more than what\u2019s believed to be 500 signatures on a replica Declaration of Independence, according to Lebanon County Commissioner Jo Ellen Litz, below, who was encouraging guests to sign their name next to the Founding Fathers who put theirs on the original document.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"Prior to a line of nasty thunderstorms and lightning passing through the area, guests visited the midway on the fairgrounds, where two lines of food trucks provided beverages, sandwiches and other goodies for hungry guests.<\/p>\n

\"\"A poster placed in Wenger Pavilion honored the various services branches who have preserved America\u2019s freedom for the past 250 years. <\/p>\n

\"\"An Abraham Lincoln impersonator reads the Gettysburg Address as part of the Main Ceremony for Celebrate 250 in the Valley during Lebanon County\u2019s celebration of the nation\u2019s 250th anniversary.<\/p>\n

\"\"The car show at the Celebrate 250 in the Valley anniversary event was cut short when storms came through the area. Several lines of cars, trucks and other vehicles lined the yard on the north side of the Expo Center, and guests were seen checking out the vehicles. At one point, the anniversary committee posted on their social media that over 70 vehicles were at the fairgrounds. <\/p>\n

\"\"The anniversary committee collected thousands of items, as shown above and below, that were donated by many local residents for the big celebration of the nation\u2019s birth. Everything from Colonial area clothing, to flags, a spinning wheel, newspaper articles capturing historic moments in time, and an old land line telephone, seen above to the right in that photo, were among the countless items on display in Founders Hall at the Expo Center.<\/p>\n

\"\"More historic items on display.<\/p>\n

\"\"Fashion from another era. <\/p>\n

\"\"A uniform worn by James Thomas Landis, who was drafted into the military in 1945, according to information included with the uniform that was displayed at the anniversary celebration. It was also noted that Landis was a Seaman First Class.<\/p>\n

\"\"John Tice conducts the quilt auction. See the post below for more information about the quilt auction that raised $4,200. <\/p>\n

Lebanon Community Concert Band performs \u201cThe Stars and Stripes Forever\u201d as one of many songs performed during their hour-long show prior to the Main Ceremony, both of which were held in Senator Brightbill Arena. (Video by James Mentzer)<\/p>\n

<\/a>8:20 p.m. \u2013 Fireworks?<\/p>\n

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\"\"Lebanon Community Concert Band entertains a packed house in the Senator Brightbill Arena prior to the start of the Main Ceremony, which was moved from the fairground\u2019s grandstand indoors due to inclement weather that rolled through the area at 7:15 p.m. (James Mentzer)<\/p>\n

No official decision has been made concerning the annual fireworks display. If they are postponed this evening, they will be held Sunday evening, which is the rain date.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Anniversary committee volunteer Doug Etter said there\u2019s a window to get the fireworks in, but officials weren\u2019t sure yet if it was open wide enough to finish the show before the next storm rolls into the Lebanon Valley.<\/p>\n

Thunder still can be heard in the distance, but the first storm did bring some much-needed rain and drop the high temperatures significantly.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the Main Ceremony is proceeding in Brightbill Arena.<\/p>\n

Lebanon City Mayor Sherry Capello just finished her remarks on behalf of the municipality, and she noted that officials aren\u2019t \u201csure if we\u2019ll be holding the fireworks tonight, and we\u2019ll make a decision by the end of this program.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/a>6:42 p.m. \u2013 Severe weather approaches<\/p>\n

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A severe weather alert was issued to guests at the fairgrounds and all were asked to move indoors until the weather passed. by 7 p.m., dark storm clouds were approaching from the west. <\/p>\n

It was announced that the Main Ceremony, which was scheduled for 8 p.m., was being moved indoors to the Brightbill Arena due to the pending storm.<\/p>\n

One of the workers who was helping to park cars told LebTown that she saw the temperature had hit a high of 102 degrees. <\/p>\n

At 7:15 p.m., high winds suddenly arrived at the venue with another public warning issued by committee member Doug Etter for all guests to immediately come indoors. <\/p>\n

\"\"Storm clouds approach the Lebanon Valley Expo Center & Fairgrounds around 7 p.m. The Main Ceremony for the 250th anniversary celebration in Lebanon County has been moved indoors to the Brightbill Arena. (James Mentzer)<\/p>\n

<\/a>6 p.m. \u2013 And the winner is\u2026<\/p>\n

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Mere minutes after telling LebTown she hoped the soon-to-be auctioned 250th anniversary quilt was purchased by someone who\u2019d \u201cappreciate all the love and work that went into it,\u201d Jan Morrissey ensured that happened.<\/p>\n

Morrissey was the high bidder at $4,200 for the 250th anniversary quilt during the live auction held in Wenger Pavilion at the Celebrate 250 in the Valley at the Expo Center. The Celebrate event is Lebanon County\u2019s salute to the nation\u2019s 250th birthday, and an all-day commemoration was held to mark the occasion.<\/p>\n

\"\"Some members of the Lebanon County 250 Committee with the anniversary quilt that was auctioned during Celebrate 250 in the Valley, the county\u2019s tribute to the 250th anniversary of the nation\u2019s birth. Committee member Jan Morrissey, left, purchased the quilt, which was auctioned to raise money for the event at the Expo Center, for $4,200. (James Mentzer)<\/p>\n

Asked afterwards if she had in her mind that she would purchase it, she answered, \u201cPossibly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t know how the night would go, but I\u2019m pleased with how it went,\u201d added Morrissey, who said she worked between 20 and 30 hours on the quilt over the past year.\u00a0<\/p>\n

LebTown also asked if she was driven to purchase it because she had developed an affinity for it.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cJust a pleasure for the labor of love that went into it,\u201d she answered.<\/p>\n

\"\"John Tice acknowledges a bid during the auction of the 250th anniversary quilt in Wenger Pavilion. The quilt was sold as a fundraiser for the event and brought $4,200. It was noted that hundreds of hands helped place stitches in the quilt, beginning at the 2025 Lebanon Area Fair. (James Mentzer)<\/p>\n

John Tice auctioned off the quilt, with the bidding starting at $250 and quickly rising as a handful of bidders placed theirs. The proceeds from the quilt will help defray costs from the once-in-lifetime semiquincentennial celebration.<\/p>\n

Morrissey, a Lebanon Quilters Guild member, also served as master of ceremonies for the sale. She noted she approached the organization about making a quilt to honor the local celebration of the nation\u2019s 250th anniversary.<\/p>\n

\u201cI asked our members to make 12-inch blocks. And then we would incorporate them into a quilt, and all that is what you see in front of you right now,\u201d Morrissey said. \u201cWith the help of guild members, it was put together with the blocks.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Morrissey noted the center block is the local America 250 T-shirt, and the other squares are a patriotic theme. The process of making the quilt started last year during the Lebanon Area Fair.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe asked the community to start helping us hand stitch. The blocks themselves are machine stitched or applique. The rest of it is hand stitched. So, it started in July and it made some other stops along the way for hand stitching,\u201d added Morrissey.<\/p>\n

Morrissey, who is also President at Historic Preservation Trust of Lebanon County<\/a>, said the final home for the quilt is unknown at this time.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThat I don\u2019t know yet,\u201d she said with a smile, \u201cbut I\u2019ll be sure to let you know.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

<\/a>5 p.m. \u2013 A matter of survival <\/p>\n

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Once a necessity of American life during Colonial times, quilt making experienced a renaissance, ironically, in 1976, which was the nation\u2019s bicentennial.<\/p>\n

\u201c1976 was a turning point for reviving the quilt industry in this country,\u201d said Cheryl Maulfair, a member of the Lebanon Quilters Guild. \u201cBecause there was no cotton to be found for quilts, but there was cotton in polyester. And that is where the whole industry was reawakened and we now have many ways of quilting.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"Patriotic quilts made by members of the Lebanon Quilters Guild line the southern wall of West Hall at the Expo Center during the Celebrate 250 in the Valley event. Colonists made quilts during the early years of life in what would become America as a matter of survival. (James Mentzer)<\/p>\n

Local guild members made 18 patriotic quilts that are on display during the Celebrate 250 in the Valley anniversary program at the Expo Center. The dazzling array of red, white and blue quilts with patriotic themes is located in West Hall.<\/p>\n

During the 1700s and thereafter, quilts were just as much about the American experience as baseball and apple pie \u2013 and for good reason.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey were done for survival,\u201d added Maulfair. \u201cThere wasn\u2019t a lot of goods, there wasn\u2019t a lot to choose from, so they used old material, old clothing, and sewed it together. They didn\u2019t have any patterns or anything fancy.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Today, quilting is a common hobby enjoyed by many, according to Maulfair, who along with Deborah Bemesderfer were selling raffles for the organization\u2019s annual fundraiser. The quilt titled Cookie Crumble was displayed behind them as they sold chances for the Nov. 2 drawing.<\/p>\n

\"\"The quilt called Cookie Crumble, which is located behind Cheryl Maulfair and Deborah Bemesderfer will be given away via a raffle on Nov. 2 to help benefit the Lebanon Quilters Guild, which is perpetuating the art of quilt making. Here, Chase Henrichsen of Cornwall purchases raffle tickets for the drawing this fall. (James Mentzer)<\/p>\n

Speaking of quilts, the 250th anniversary quilt will be auctioned at 6 p.m. in Wenger Pavilion.\u00a0<\/p>\n

LebTown asked anniversary committee member Jan Morrissey, who is a quilting enthusiast herself, about her feelings that the quilt was going to a\u00a0new home.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s been on display at various events with the goal of selling it to raise funds for the anniversary celebration at the Expo Center.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe just hope it goes to someone who can appreciate all the love and work that went into it,\u201d Morrissey said, \u201c\u2018cause there\u2019s a lot of love and hours and hours and fabric that went into it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Asked if she was going to be one of the bidders, Morrissey just smiled and said with a long laugh, \u201cOh, that\u2019s a secret.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"250th anniversary quilt. (James Mentzer)<\/p>\n

<\/a>4:25 p.m. \u2013 Weapons that won the war<\/p>\n

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The importance of the Revolutionary War items being displayed by antiques specialist David Geiger during the nation\u2019s anniversary celebration at the Expo Center can\u2019t be stressed enough.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThese things are all marked to regiments or people that definitely fought for our independence,\u201d Geiger said. \u201cThese aren\u2019t things that maybe were used to fight. These are things that definitely fought for our independence or we\u2019d be speaking the king\u2019s English.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"Antiques specialist David M. Geiger of Lititz with some of the Revolutionary War weapons used to fight the war. The top two muskets are American made while the one on the bottom is crafted by the Hessian (German) army. At front, is a ceremonial sword worn by Colonial officers in the late 1700s. (James Mentzer) <\/p>\n

Earlier in the day, Geiger gave a presentation about a collection from that era that\u2019s actually owned by a Lebanon man, who wishes to remain anonymous.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Geiger also manned a booth with a plethora of items, and he informed guests about the significance of weaponry that helped win the nation\u2019s freedom.<\/p>\n

Geiger\u2019s booth was one of many at the Celebrate 250 in the Valley program at the Expo Center. The Celebrate event was held on July 4th as part of the local commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the nation\u2019s birth.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Here until 6 p.m., Geiger paused to speak with guests who wanted to know more about the items on display and experience history close-up. His display is in North Hall along the northern wall of that building. <\/p>\n

\"\"Antiques specialist David Geiger with one of George Washington\u2019s traveling trunks covered in deer skin that contains his name on the top, on a brass plaque. (James Mentzer)<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s very nice, and I\u2019m honored to be here. I\u2019m honored to show the collection that this gentleman has collected, and I really do it just to educate people,\u201d said Geiger, who has appraised items for the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C.<\/p>\n

\u201cI let people hold things. I want them to see them and I want to teach them about history. I do this for free and I do presentations elsewhere. It\u2019s important to me to get younger people to understand our history and hold things and be interested in these things,\u201d added Geiger.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Geiger noted the importance of Kentucky long rifles, which were initially born in Pennsylvania, including those made in Lebanon County. He noted the muskets he had on display weren\u2019t an accurate shooting weapon like the long rifles made in Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe British were fighting in straight lines in the field and they were through fields and marching through the woods and lines. And we were woodsmen. So we were using Kentucky rifles. These guys were used to hunting. And we used guerrilla warfare and Kentucky rifles to pick off their officers up to 300 yards,\u201d added Geiger.<\/p>\n

\"\"Antiques specialist David Geiger holds a gang mold, which was used to make bullets during the Revolutionary War. He said soldiers would fight during the day and replenish their bullets around a fire at night. This device could make up to 12 bullets at a time. (James Mentzer) <\/p>\n

<\/a>3 p.m. \u2013 Don\u2019t call me a hero<\/p>\n

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By all accounts, 100-year-old Russell Sattazahn of Schaefferstown is a war hero, having fought in World War II to protect freedom and democracy here and around the world.<\/p>\n

But he says he isn\u2019t one, deferring that honor instead to the men and women who never made it home. Sattazahn presented the Pledge of Allegiance during the Opening Ceremony during Lebanon County\u2019s celebration of the nation\u2019s 250th birthday at the Celebrate 250 in the Valley program at the Expo Center.<\/p>\n

\"\"World War II army veteran Russell Sattazahn of Schaefferstown leads the Pledge of Allegiance during the Opening Ceremony at the Celebrate 250 in the Valley commemoration of the nation\u2019s founding in 1776. At 100, Sattazahn has been alive for a remarkable 40% of the nation\u2019s existence. Later in the day, he was set to enjoy a BBQ burger and fireworks display with another veteran from Lebanon, who is 101 years old. Enjoy the July 4th holiday, gentlemen, you\u2019ve earned it! (James Mentzer)<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s people who say you came back and you\u2019re the heroes of our country. No, I don\u2019t want to be called a hero,\u201d Sattazahn said. \u201cI just want to be thanked for my duty and what I did. The real heroes are still over there and they still come back to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sattazahn paused for a moment, clearly being overcome with emotion of a long-ago war that is as fresh to him as if it happened yesterday.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd make sure everybody remembers them. They are the heroes,\u201d Sattazahn said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

There\u2019s little doubt that Sattazahn and every man and woman who has served their country since the nation was founded in 1776 have had a role in ensuring the nation is celebrating its 250th anniversary.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It\u2019s only fitting that Sattazahn\u2019s daughter, Luann Lutz is his biggest fan.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI couldn\u2019t be more proud of him,\u201d Lutz said. \u201cHe\u2019s been my hero since I was a little girl and that has not changed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sattazahn\u2019s duties completed, he left the fairgrounds to attend a BBQ and enjoy fireworks later in the day.\u00a0<\/p>\n

On the 250th anniversary of our nation\u2019s birth, LebTown salutes all the men and women who have answered the call to serve their country.<\/p>\n

<\/a>1:00 p.m. \u2013 Off with a bang<\/p>\n

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Without a single firework having been fired into the sky, Lebanon County\u2019s celebration of the nation\u2019s 250th birthday kicked off with a bang during the opening ceremony in Wenger Pavilion.<\/p>\n

\t\t\tBonnie Loy, chair of the Lebanon 250PA committee, said she was moved to tears when she saw this Dewey helicopter approach because she knew it had been in service in Vietnam. The flyover helped kick off the start of Celebrate 250 in the Valley. (Video by James Mentzer)<\/p>\n

Various patriotic music by Perseverance Band officially started the 8-plus hour celebration and while the band played prelude music, an army helicopter did a fly over at the Lebanon Valley Exposition Center & Fairgrounds, circled the grounds and hung in the air on the west side of the pavilion as guests waved to the crew.<\/p>\n

The 30-minute opening ceremony for Celebrate 250 in the Valley featured the Presentation of the Colors by the Civil Air Patrol Lebanon Valley Composite Squadron 265, a moving and spirted a cappella rendition of the \u201cNational Anthem\u201d by Natasha Beaumont, and the Pledge of Allegiance by 100-year-old World War II army veteran Russell Sattazahn of Schaefferstown.<\/p>\n

\t\t\tA portion of the u0022National Anthemu0022 during the Opening Ceremony as performed by Natasha Beaumont. (Video by James Mentzer)<\/p>\n

Master of ceremonies Karen Groh introduced keynote speaker Bonnie Loy, chair of the Lebanon 250 Committee, who addressed the founding of the nation.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was supposed to be an experiment. And here we are, 250 years later. Thank heavens for their vision and the experiment that they chose to strive for,\u201d Loy said, in mentioning the Founding Fathers.<\/p>\n

\"\"The colors for the opening ceremony are retired by Civil Air Patrol Lebanon Valley Composite Squadron 265 members. (James Mentzer)<\/p>\n

Loy challenged the approximate 100 people at the ceremony to be a positive influence in their community, the state and the world in the years to come.<\/p>\n

\u201cWill you live in the present but believe in the future? Will you cherish your neighbor? Will you care about someone else, not just yourself? Will you be part of the present and will you believe in the future? The future of our country, of our community, of our family,\u201d Loy said. \u201cWhat do you say on a day like this when you\u2019re standing amidst an awesome community?\u201d<\/p>\n

Loy continued her challenge.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you don\u2019t think it\u2019s awesome, talk to someone who does. If you don\u2019t think it\u2019s awesome, step up to the plate and change. Don\u2019t condemn what someone else did,\u201d Loy said. \u201cBe the change in our community. Be the change in our United States. Be the change in this world. You have one chance to do this. And today is a great reminder why we all should step up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chaplain Dean Luther, US Department of Veteran Affairs, offered the benediction while Rev. William Worley, US Navy gave the invocation after the pledge.<\/p>\n

\t\t\tPerseverance Band plays \u201cGod Bless America\u201d as Opening Ceremony attendees wave American flags. (Video by James Mentzer)<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

<\/a>7 a.m. \u2013 Happy birthday, America!<\/p>\n

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It\u2019s the nation\u2019s semiquincentennial birthday, and day-long events are planned at the Lebanon Valley Exposition Center & Fairgrounds from 1 p.m. until the conclusion Saturday night of a fireworks show, which begins at the fairground\u2019s grandstand at 9:15 p.m.<\/p>\n

Please be aware that the fireworks display has been moved this year from Coleman Memorial Park.<\/p>\n

Upon arrival at the Expo Center, there are cut outs of historic figures for guests to take a commemorative picture, and you can also grab a photo inside a large picture frame as a keepsake of the local celebration of the nation\u2019s founding in 1776.<\/p>\n

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\t\tGuests can grab a photo in these historic figure cut outs in the lobby of the Expo Center. (James Mentzer)<\/p>\n

Inside Founder\u2019s Hall, copies of the official program await you. The schedule of events is printed inside and the center spread contains a facility map and location of several activity sites like the Kid\u2019s Activity Tent.\u00a0<\/p>\n

There are several items that you will want to keep an eye out for as you wander around the center.<\/p>\n

\"\"The 250th anniversary commemorative program. (James Mentzer)<\/p>\n

There\u2019s the anniversary mosaic, two large-sized Liberty Bells, a 250th anniversary quilt (which will be auctioned at 6 p.m. in Wenger Pavilion), and various displays including Conestoga wagons, military equipment, and artwork created by area school students.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s also a kid\u2019s scavenger hunt taking place throughout the day. <\/p>\n

Committee member Nancy Gates said children will be given a pencil and a sheet listing 10 different items to find hidden in plain sight throughout the center.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cSo there are 10 different photos that are all around the Expo Center, and kids can go around and search for them,\u201d Gates said. \u201cAs they go around \u2013 and they\u2019re all things that are associated with history \u2013 like American flags, bells, an American eagle, and also the committee\u2019s wooden nickels.\u201d<\/p>\n

Be sure to listen for announcements over the PA system for the times\/locations of various historic presentations that will be given throughout the day.<\/p>\n

<\/a>6 a.m. \u2013 Did Lebanon County have a role in America\u2019s campaign for Independence?<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

You bet it did.<\/p>\n

The Lebanon Resolves<\/a> was a six-point document drafted by seven prominent citizens on June 25, 1774, declared support for colonial unity and a \u201cCongress of Deputies\u201d more than two years before American independence.<\/p>\n

Whether the Grubb iron furnace in Cornwall, Hessian prisoners at Tabor and Hebron, or the (possibly apocryphal<\/a>) whiskey supply run by General George Washington to Schaefferstown during the bitter encampment at Valley Forge, it\u2019s clear that the Lebanon Valley was crucial to the supply chain on which the Continental Army relied so dearly.<\/p>\n

We should remember as well the early Lebanon Valley residents who served with the Lancaster County militia, Lebanon County then yet to be its own entity.\u00a0See here<\/a>\u00a0for the 1st and 2nd Battalions which included a number of Lebanon Valley residents, such as the\u00a0Rev. John Caspar Stoever<\/a>, buried in Cleona at Hill Church. There was also Lt. John Weidman<\/a>, who served under George Washington at Valley Forge and numerous battles, went on to become a surveyor, iron manufacturer and associate judge in what is now Lebanon County.<\/p>\n

In 1792, the war won, President Washington\u00a0toured the region<\/a>\u00a0to see the monumental works of the Schuylkill and Susquehanna Canal Company, later the Union Canal, in the area between Myerstown and Lebanon. The canal was brainchild of war financier Robert Morris, a good friend of Washington\u2019s who in fact provided the President with his Philadelphia house, the foundations of which are still visible on Independence Mall. Perhaps Washington saw his wartime friend\u00a0John Gloninger<\/a>\u00a0as well, at the time a newly-minted state senator.<\/p>\n

Washington may have indulged in nostalgia for his own frontier adventures, the Lebanon Valley not far removed from a more wild era and the perfect backdrop for remembering his own early and preternatural performance during the French and Indian Wars. In this vein, perhaps he too enjoyed a ride to\u00a0Light\u2019s Fort<\/a>\u00a0or Fort Zeller, paying respect to the constellation of outposts which had protected the increasingly rich bounty of the middle colonies \u2013\u00a0America\u2019s bread basket at the time. In this editor\u2019s humble estimation, the evidence suggests quite enthusiastically that Washington would have been\u00a0highly\u00a0predisposed to enjoying his time in Lebanon County.<\/p>\n

Coincidentally, another Lebanon figure,\u00a0Joseph Johns<\/a>, would later say in 1906 that he was the last man alive in Pennsylvania to have lived and remembered the death of the American Cincinnatus in 1799.<\/p>\n

Questions about this story? Suggestions for a future LebTown article? Reach our newsroom using this contact form and we\u2019ll do our best to get back to you.<\/p>\n

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Strong communities need someone keeping an eye on local institutions. LebTown holds leaders accountable, reports on decisions affecting your taxes and schools, and ensures transparency at every level. Support this work with a monthly<\/a> or annual<\/a> membership, or make a one-time contribution<\/a>. Cancel anytime.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"We\u2019re celebrating Lebanon County\u2019s role in American history. Read more here. This Independence Day, LebTown will provide live…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":193289,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[32],"tags":[31681,3108,93,57488,2615],"class_list":["post-193288","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-lebanon","tag-america250","tag-featured","tag-lebanon","tag-popular-discussions","tag-shareimmediately"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@iran\/116875152362442611","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/193288","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=193288"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/193288\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/193289"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=193288"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=193288"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/iran\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=193288"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}