Ohio’s Homecoming & Picnic with Visionary Sponsor Cenovus Energy

COLUMBUS, OH (October 3, 2024) – America 250-Ohio, the official state commission responsible for spearheading Ohio’s celebrations around America’s semiquincentennial in 2026, today announced a new signature event aimed at bringing together both current and former Ohioans to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary at community picnics across the state in July 2026. Called Ohio’s Homecoming & Picnic, the event will encompass numerous gatherings both large and small in all 88 counties across the state. Planning and coordinating an event of this scale and scope is made possible thanks to a generous Visionary Sponsorship from Cenovus Energy.

The announcement was made this afternoon at a picnic-style event under a tent on the West Lawn of the Ohio Statehouse. Guests enjoyed nostalgic lawn games provided by Ohio History Connection and music by members of Columbus Youth Jazz Orchestra. All attendees, including several dozen local students, were treated to individual boxed picnic lunches.

Introducing the vision and plans for the event were speakers Governor Mike DeWine, America 250-Ohio Co-Chairs Doug Priesse and Michael B. Coleman, Eric Zimpfer, Cenovus Senior Vice President, U.S. Refining and Mayor Sharetta Smith-Lima, Ohio.

Megan Wood, Executive Director and CEO of Ohio History Connection and the America 250-Ohio Commissioner leading the Ohio’s Homecoming & Picnic project and introduced a prototype Homecoming Kit that America 250-Ohio will be providing at no cost to community groups who want to organize a picnic in July 2026. The kits will include décor items, game supplies and other accessories helpful in planning a celebratory picnic event.

“Celebrating our country’s 250th anniversary is an occasion for Ohioans to come together and reflect on and celebrate our shared history, current experiences, and future aspirations. We want the entire month of July 2026 to be filled with gatherings of all sizes and types — from individual and extended families to faith, school and social groups to entire towns and cities — where Ohioans can commemorate our state’s role in our nation’s history,” said Wood. “We are tremendously grateful to Cenovus Energy for partnering with us as a Visionary Sponsor to make Ohio’s Homecoming and Picnic a successful and memorable centerpiece of Ohio’s America 250 celebration.

Cenovus’ Visionary Sponsorship will provide funding for event planning and execution including community outreach, communication and coordination, and supplies and materials.

“We are proud to partner with America 250-Ohio to inspire Ohioans across the state to gather and celebrate in July 2026,” said Eric Zimpfer, at Cenovus. “We are dedicated to energizing the world to make people’s lives better and our sponsorship of Ohio’s Homecoming and Picnic demonstrates our belief in and appreciation of the communities across the state that we serve.”

Groups interested in planning and organizing an Ohio’s Homecoming & Picnic event in July 2026 are invited to visit America250Ohio.org for more information.

High-resolution photos and broadcast quality video of the event are available to media by emailing [email protected].