RALEIGH — The North Carolina General Assembly’s America 250 Semiquincentennial Committee continued its celebration work during its meeting this month.
Co-chair Sen. Ted Alexander (R-Cleveland) opened the meeting with historical anecdotes for that day’s meeting, including Annie Oakley’s cherished time in Pinehurst, which she regarded as “the happiest years of her life.”
The committee has an upcoming deadline to submit a progress report on America 250 preparations to the full General Assembly by the end of March.
The committee heard from three students from the North Carolina Youth and Government program: Joshua Brown, Stella McClure and Ava Lupson.
“America 250 is not just a historical milestone,” said Brown. “It’s a moment to ask, who are we? How did we get here? And what part do we play in the next 250 years?”
McClure urged support for youth-led initiatives, noting that “America 250 is a beautiful catalyst for right now.”
Lupson framed the anniversary as “an invitation to evaluate and decide what comes next” and said rights like voting and free speech “are not abstract ideas for young people.”
Committee Member Troy Kickler provided an update on the Celebrate America Foundation, reporting that new chairman Steven McKee is pursuing grants and fundraising, with plans to add a youth board member and represent the committee at the Sons of the American Revolution national convention in Greensboro in July.
N.C. Department of Labor’s Director of Constituent Services Sam Ward shared progress on a proposed July 4 parade in Raleigh, including preliminary cost estimates, a potential route and discussions with Fort Bragg for an Army band.
Ann Evangelista of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources highlighted new branded promotional items, the expanded marketing toolkit on America250.nc.gov and highlighted the “Overmountain Men” traveling exhibit, which is now live.
“It’s called the March to Kings Mountain, and it is four panels on the story of the Overmountain Men; that design and everything is available online to download,” said Evangelista.
Evangelista also went over upcoming events such as the First in Freedom Festival (Feb. 21-28), Moores Creek Battlefield’s anniversary (Feb. 26-28) and Halifax Days (April 10–12), as well as a Youth250NC civic engagement day in June featuring workshops and a mock General Assembly session.
Additional updates included PBS North Carolina’s commitment to film a patriotic concert in High Point on July 1-3 and North State Journal’s agreement to publish a series of America 250 columns by committee members and prior speakers through July 4.
In other state-related America 250 news, a new Betsy Ross 250 flag is now flying at the North Carolina Judicial Center symbolizing “America’s enduring commitment to liberty, self-government and justice.”
To view America 250 information, events and news, visit america250.nc.gov.
