Two-hundred-and-fifty years in, America’s story is still being written—and this summer, Reno-Tahoe will help tell it through events, remembrances, and community-driven celebrations tied to the America 250 movement.
The America250 initiative wants to engage every American in commemorating the 250th anniversary of the USA. It’s seen as an opportunity to pause and reflect on our nation’s past, honor the contributions of all Americans, and look ahead toward the future we want to create for the next generation and beyond. Here in the Silver State, America250 Nevada honors the state’s role in the growth of the U.S.
“Plans got underway about a decade ago nationally, but we started programming about two years ago here in Nevada,” says Mary Ellen Kawchack, chief deputy director at Nevada Division of Tourism. “There were a bunch of criteria laid out. The focus was on initiatives that be community led, meaning what can communities do to come together and celebrate or commemorate occasions? Of course, what states in the northeast do looks different than what we do here in Nevada.”
Volunteerism is American
“Nevada’s story is about civic education and scholarships. NevadaGives is helping support volunteerism throughout the state. Those group initiatives started about a year and a half ago. They were meant to not just have funding for events, but to last beyond. The Nevada initiatives and events couldn’t just be fireworks or parades, things that happen on a normal basis. We wanted things that last beyond this year.”
MGM Resorts is sponsoring the NevadaGives project, supporting more than 60 volunteer programs from around the state. Opportunities are available at www.america250nevada.org for those who may want to pitch in.
Another key initiative is ‘Our Nevada Stories’. The project is soliciting voices from across Nevada with a plan to curate an oral history of the state. Eventually the collection will be featured as a podcast airing on KUNR in May, and it will live on at Nevada’s state museums.
Lastly, America250 Nevada will recognize teachers and students who demonstrate excellence in civics education thanks to an America250 partnership pairing the Nevada Department of Education and the Center for Civic Excellence.
“A lot of times on the Fourth of July, we’ll have fireworks and parades and that’s great,” Kawchack says. “But what does 250 years of democracy really mean? The America250 Nevada Commission wanted legacy programs beyond this year and we’re taking this opportunity to make it happen. America 250 is a time for reflection. We can be so divided as a nation, but we can all agree on giving back in our communities. We all have individual stories to tell about coming to or growing up in Nevada and what that means to us. Two-hundred-and-fifty years is a long time. This is a time to think about how we got here and where we want to go.”
How to Celebrate in Nevada
If you’re interested in America250 Nevada and looking for things to do in northern Nevada this spring and summer, there won’t be a shortage. From the Genoa Americana celebration and the Nevada on the Go series to the Sparks River cleanup and the return of the Nevada State Fair, there will be plenty of options.
May 16 will feature a river cleanup in Sparks at Cottonwood Park where volunteers will clean up the riverbanks and spread mulch. In June, the Nevada State Fair returns following a 15-year hiatus. The fair will run June 11-14 at Mills Park in Carson City. Throughout the spring and summer, the Nevada Historical Society is hosting its Nevada On The Go series - a set of off-site history lectures, talks, and community programs, mainly in the Reno area.
July 3-4 will see Genoa celebrate its 175th birthday as a town. Plans include a July 3 evening Chautauqua-style performance, bringing Genoa’s historical figures to life and on July 4 you can see an all-Americana hometown parade and town-wide celebration culminating in a large community birthday cake.
There is a myriad of events planned around America250 Nevada, something to pique the interests of nearly all Nevadans. More information about all of these events and more can be found at America250Nevada.org.
Additionally, many other organizations around the state and the Truckee Meadows are joining in on the patriotic theme and will host unofficial America250 Nevada events. The Reno Philharmonic is among that group. Composer Michelle Issac was commissioned for a new piece of music with a theme of America250. The Reno Phil will perform that piece when it is released for its debut in mid-April.
“Her music is very cinematic, relatable for people. It’s going to be cool to see how it all comes together,” says Evelyn Klatt, chief development and marketing officer at the Reno Phil.
And that’s not all the Reno Phil has planned for a patriotic parade this spring and summer. It will be performing at Red, White, and Flight on the Fourth of July at Mackay Stadium on the University of Nevada campus. By last count, Klatt said nearly 500 drones will light up the north Reno sky during the show as music from the Reno Phil fills the air.
“Our whole mission is to bring inspiring performances to the community. That’s why we exist,” Klatt says. “This is a great way to bring everyone together. It’s going to be really powerful, really fun.”
The Reno Rodeo is another iconic Nevada event that values patriotism. Reno Rodeo officials have chosen ‘America Loves Rodeo’ for the theme of the 2026 go-round. Traditionally, the rodeo has praised a Pro-America message, boasting flags and patriotic music. The 2026 dates are June 18-27 and you’ll get more of the same for the nation’s 250th birthday year.
“We have 800-1000 active volunteers. What resonates with me is the spirit of the people,” Reno Rodeo President Mark Sutton says. “I think it comes down to three things: hard work, community, and consistently doing things right. The rodeo is put on by volunteers who all believe in giving something back… Having this be America’s 250th birthday, is just icing on the cake.”
As America turns 250, Reno-Tahoe’s celebrations will be about more than marking a date—they’ll be about recognizing the people, stories, and shared values that continue to shape this country. From volunteer projects and community events to music and rodeo traditions, the anniversary offers a chance not just to reflect on where we’ve been, but to take pride in the role northern Nevada plays in America’s ongoing story.
"What does 250 years of democracy really mean? The America250 Nevada Commission wanted legacy programs beyond this year and we’re taking this opportunity to make it happen," -- Mary Ellen Kawchack