America 250
Come celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary in Dixon!
Where the Celebration Will Be.
The Dixon Park District, in collaboration with City of Dixon Illinois Government and Dixon Chamber & Main Street, has been awarded a $22,000 “Celebrate America!” grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities!
This funding will support exciting local programming in honor of America’s 250th Anniversary, bringing our community together to reflect, celebrate, and honor our nation’s history.
Stay tuned – great things are coming!
City’s America 250 Event Highlights
June 27:
Red, White, and Blue Ball
5:30 to 6:30: Red Carpet Arrival/Cocktail Hour
6:30 to 7:30: Yorkville Big Band
8:00 to 10:00: The Time Bandits Band
As our nation marks 250 years of independence, this special fundraiser will bring our community together for a night of celebration and purpose at Loveland Community House, 513 W 2nd St.
Guests will enjoy live entertainment from the nostalgic Yorkville Big Band and the crowd-favorite Time Bandits Band, keeping the dance floor full all evening long.
Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served and bar service will be available.
Dress in your finest red, white, and blue attire and join us for a meaningful night honoring 250 years of American freedom while supporting those who have sacrificed so much for our country.
This is a 21+ event. A suggested donation of $50 per person is requested, with proceeds benefiting the Wounded Warrior Project and its mission to honor and empower wounded veterans.
July 4:
Pedestrian Bridge Dedication at 11 a.m.
More details to come on this event.
Dixon Petunia Festival Celebrating America 250!
Dixon Petunia Festival is looking forward to seeing everyone celebrating the 250th birthday of America!
The CGH Medical Center Entertainment Venue will be open July 2-5.
Pre-sale tickets will continue to be sold until July 1, and headquarters hours will be announced later this spring.
Entertainment will be announced when the entire schedule is finalized.
More America 250 in Dixon Events:
Patriotic Music Incorporated at Concert
The Dixon Municipal Band’s concert on Saturday, March 28 will incorporate patriot music to celebrate America 250.
It was also feature guest soloist Tom Scott, a renowned composer, arranger, producer, music director, saxophonist and educator. His 33 solo recordings have earned him 13 Grammy nominations and 3 Grammy awards.
Admission is free. Donations will be accepted.
7 p.m. at The Dixon: Historic Theatre, 114 S. Galena Ave.
Art Exhibit Celebrates America 250
“Power of Place, We the People, Doing History” is an art exhibit that run from June 15 to July 31 at the Dixon Public Library, 221 S. Hennepin Ave.
In partnership with The Next Picture Show, the exhibition will feature original works utilizing all forms of media exploring themes celebrating the 250th Anniversary of America.
Contact the Next Picture Show for an application.
Dixon Township and Dixon Public Library present “The Founding Mothers”
See “The Founding Mothers” at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 27 at Dixon Public Library, 221 S Hennepin Ave., as a part of the week-long USA 250th celebration.
The “Mothers” of America aren’t often mentioned – the women whose influence on the early years of the United States reverberated for centuries afterwards. Whether they assisted in the years-long Revolutionary War, or had one brief moment of heroism, their actions had long-lasting and nation-building effects. Learn about soldiers, writers, printers, scholars, farmers, artists, and spies – all women, and all vital to our nation’s history.
Laura Keyes graduated from UW-Madison with a Master’s Degree in Library Studies, and has been portraying women from history and lecturing on historic topics for over 15 years.
Patriot Concert on Courthouse Lawn
The Dixon Municipal Band will perform its annual Patriot Concert at 7 p.m. Friday, July 3 on the Old Lee County Courthouse Lawn, 112 E. Second St.
Admission is free. Donations will be accepted.
Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home
Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home and Young America’s Foundation will host several events in 2026 that will celebrate America 250!
These include:
May 29: Roundtable luncheon
July 15–17: High School Conference. The conference sessions will be limited to students, but the roundtable will be open to the public. The event will conclude with a public rally on July 17, featuring a musical act.
Sept. 11: Roundtable memorial commemorating the 25th anniversary of 9/11.
Oct. 2 or 9: Roundtable luncheon
