Elizabeth Township to host 4-day America250 celebration

The celebration is set for June 25-28 throughout Elizabeth Township.

Elizabeth Township will celebrate America’s 250th anniversary celebration with a weekend full of events, and many involved in the festivities are excited.

On July 4, the United States will commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence 250 years ago. The nation’s celebration, America250, encouraged communities to be part of the federal commemoration through local events.

The township’s celebration is set for June 25 to 28 and is a chance for the community to come together ahead of the country’s semiquincentennial.

“We are really ahead of the game by hosting this fabulous four-day event for our community the week before the Fourth of July,” said Elizabeth Township Historical Society President Linda Bennett said. “This is all leading in, and we’re on the forefront. This is an opportunity for the township that hasn’t happened since 1976.”

The historical society is partnering with Elizabeth Township to host several events full of patriotism, history, family fun, entertainment, food, music, and more.

At 5 p.m. June 25, a kick-off dinner will take place at Rock Run Inn at Butler’s Golf Course. The dinner menu features chicken romano, Italian beef, glazed carrots, garlic mashed potatoes and cupcakes for dessert.

The dinner’s speakers include reenactors depicting Benjamin Rush, signer of Declaration of Independence, along with Benjamin Franklin, Elizabeth Bayard, Betsy Ross and Martha Washington.

There will also be a live violinist at the dinner. Tickets are $30 per person and can be purchased at the township municipal building, 522 Rock Run Rd., 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

At 6 p.m. June 26, the public is welcome to join a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Boston Fieldhouse. It will include food trucks, face painting, a balloon artist and fireworks.

There was originally going to be a ballgame, but after putting some thought into it, and working out schedules, they decided to have an open field for the kids to run on the turf to play. They are welcome to bring kickballs, and etc., but no metal or hard baseball bats or balls.

From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 27 at the Greenock Log House, the Elizabeth Township Historical Society will present free living histories and reenactments, musket firings on the hour starting at 1 p.m., food, crafts and tours.

Starting at noon June 28, the events conclude with a two-hour bus tour of historic sites in Elizabeth Township. The tickets are $15 per person, which includes lunch at noon at the Buena Vista Firemen’s Social Hall. The bus will depart from the social hall at 1 p.m. and return to the social hall at the end of the tour. Those tickets can also be purchased at the township municipal building.

Also on that day, the Queen Alliquippa Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution will host free tours at the Coates House, 5811 Smithfield St., Boston, from noon to 5 p.m. There will be crafts, games, photos, snacks, a flag presentation and performance by the Elizabeth Community Chorus at noon.

Downtown Elizabeth is also partnering with the township for the celebration, and is excited to join for the four day celebration.

“From community pride and hometown spirit to exciting activities and celebrations for all ages, this is a once-in-a-generation event you won’t want to miss,” Downtown Elizabeth stated on Facebook. “We are proud to stand alongside our neighboring communities as we celebrate the freedoms, history, and traditions that make our country so special.”

Township commissioner Chris Thoma said these events are ways to bring the community together, and said there is something for everyone.

“This celebration is about pride in our past and excitement for our future,” Thoma said. “We can’t wait to see residents come out and be part of it. I encourage everyone to join us for these special events and help us mark this milestone in a memorable way.”

Township manager Tammy Firda said the process of planning the event has gone smoothly, and commissioners are excited. It is also an opportunity for the community to meet other residents, and learn some history in what she said is the anchor of the Mon Valley.

“I think it’s great to be in America,” Firda said. “We are a beautiful place, and it’s a great reason to celebrate 250 years of history.

“It’s kind of great to get the information about the community that you live in, you invest in, have your children here, your home here, you live here, and to know a little bit about the history of it,” she added. “I think it’s just a great time for everybody to come out, celebrate being an American, and celebrate our beautiful community.”