America 250-Ohio Signature Picnic Planned for July 4 in Downtown Columbus

Columbus, OH – Celebrate the United States’ semiquincentennial – its 250th birthday! – with a day of fun, food, and reflection as America 250-Ohio hosts a Signature Homecoming & Picnic event from 11 am to 10 pm Saturday, July 4 at the Ohio Statehouse, Columbus Commons, and the Ohio Theatre.

This event is presented by America 250-Ohio in partnership with the City of Columbus, Ohio Statehouse, Ohio History Connection, Columbus Symphony, Columbus Commons, and CAPA.

Activities on the grounds of the Ohio Statehouse and in the Ohio Theatre will begin at 11 am.

The Statehouse grounds will feature a variety of family-friendly activities, live musical entertainment including Columbus-based soul/funk supergroup HooDoo Soul Band, swing/hot jazz combo the Whirlybirds, artisan vendors, food trucks, historical reenactors, and more. Other highlights include an Ohio Village Muffins vintage baseball game, the Columbus Jazz Orchestra, and a reading of the Declaration of Independence.

The Ohio Theatre will host free screenings, live performances, and historical and educational installations throughout the day. Screenings include Cars at 11 am and Forrest Gump at 4:30 pm. American Musical Productions will perform Beautiful Ohio: Music by Ohioans 1896-1926 at 2:30 pm. Tickets are not required for these free engagements.

The day’s activities will continue at 6 pm on Columbus Commons. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs for an evening of performances, capped by Columbus Symphony Celebrates America at 8 pm, a free concert of patriotic music

by the Columbus Symphony, followed by a fireworks show. This is a free concert, but tickets must be reserved by visiting www.capa.com/america250.

An outdoor bar and food trucks will be available on the Commons, as well.

“”We are excited to invite the Columbus community and all Ohioans to come together for a special celebration in our capital city,” America 250-Ohio Commission Co-Chair Doug Preisse said. “This milestone is more than a birthday – it’s an opportunity to shine a light on the amazing contributions Ohio has made to the nation and the world. Our July 4 event will honor American history and Ohio history through music, art, exhibits, film and food. This is a once-in-a-generation experience you won’t want to miss!”

This event is made possible by Presenting Sponsor Cenovus Energy and Supporting Sponsors The Worthington Companies Foundation, Columbus City Council, The Marzetti Company, and Ohio’s 529 Savings Plan, CollegeAdvantage.

Visit www.america250-ohio.org/picnic or www.capa.com/america250-ohio for more information.

**Images and interviews are available**

About America 250-Ohio

In 2026, the United States will celebrate its semiquincentennial, which is the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Each state has been encouraged to create a celebration and commemoration of this anniversary to reflect the unique character and contributions of each state to the nation over the past 250 years. Ohio is fully embracing this opportunity. The Ohio Commission for the Semiquincentennial (aka America 250-Ohio Commission or AM 250-OH) was created by the Ohio legislature and launched on March 1, 2022.

The charge of the AM 250-OH Commission is “…to plan, encourage, develop, and coordinate the commemoration of the two hundred fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the United States and the impact of Ohioans on the nation’s past, present, and future.” — Ohio Revised Code (149.309). More information can be found at America250-Ohio.org.

About CAPA

Owner/operator of downtown Columbus’ magnificent historic theatres (Ohio Theatre, Palace Theatre, Southern Theatre) and manager of the Riffe Center Theatre Complex, Lincoln Theatre, Drexel Theatre, Jeanne B. McCoy Community Center for the Arts (New Albany, OH), and the Shubert Theatre (New Haven, CT), CAPA is a non-profit, award-winning presenter of national and international performing arts and entertainment. For more information, visit www.capa.com.

CAPA’s 2025-26 season is made possible in part by an investment of public funds from the Ohio Arts Council (OAC). The OAC is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically. CAPA also appreciates the generous support of the Greater Columbus Arts Council, City of Columbus, Franklin County, and The Columbus Foundation’s Jane H. Zimmerman and Fred R. Place funds.