Nothing says “Happy 250th Anniversary, America!” quite like a picnic. So, throughout the month of July in 2026, we’re encouraging communities across Ohio to gather for food, fun and friendship to celebrate our nation's freedom, honor of our nation’s history and Ohio's notable contributions to U.S. history!
Fire up the grill, pass the potato salad and celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary with your fellow Ohioans – that’s the plan come July 2026! Picnics can be large or small, last the whole weekend or just an afternoon. Celebrations may include music, food trucks, local artists, or bounce houses. The ideas are endless and can reflect the unique character of your group and location.
We’re excited to announce that we will make available special Homecoming Kits, courtesy of Presenting Sponsor, Cenovus Energy. These engaging and interactive kits will help make your picnic one for the history books! Check back soon for more details.
“We are proud to partner with America 250-Ohio to inspire Ohioans across the state to gather and celebrate in July 2026. 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.”
We will be holding some planned Homecoming & Picnic events.
Join one of these planned events or create your own!
Locations
Lima, Ohio
Toledo, Ohio
Central Ohio
Ohio History Center – Columbus, Ohio
Schoenbrunn Village – New Philadelphia, Ohio
Harding Presidential Sites – Marion, Ohio
Newark Earthworks – Newark, Ohio
National Afro American Museum
& Cultural Center – Wilberforce, Ohio
Watch this space for more picnic locations in the future – there is sure to be one near you!
Thanks to the support of our sponsors, we will provide resources to make this signature project possible and help communities across Ohio host picnics in their area.
The American 250-Ohio Commission is calling on communities around Ohio to host and Homecoming Picnic in the summer of 2026.
Community sponsored picnics can be very personalized for the community themed around the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the country.
To sign up as a community picnic you must:
Communities that sign up to host an Ohio Homecoming Picnic will receive:
The 4 th Grade History Pass is a promotion to provide every 4 th grade student in Ohio with the
opportunity to visit a participating history-related museum or site in Ohio for free with a paid adult. Accompanying families pay regular admission. The program and Passs may not be used for group visit admission (other restrictions may apply). This program is part of Ohio’s celebration of the U.S. 250 th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence
which will occur in 2026.
The free admission is for any Ohio 4th grader. The family members who will visit with the 4th grade student will pay regular admission for the history site they wish to visit.
Go to america250-ohio.org/fourth-grade-pass and download the Pass. When you go to a participating history museum, show the Pass on your phone or printed copy to receive one (1) free admission for the 4th grade student.
The promotion aligns with the grade when students learn about Ohio history in school. Fourth-grade students in the state of Ohio study the early development of Ohio and the United States.
From the ODE Website:
“The fourth-grade year focuses on the early development of Ohio and the United States. Students learn about the history, geography, government and economy of their state and nation. Foundations of U.S. history are laid as students study prehistoric Ohio cultures, early American life, the U.S. Constitution, and the development and growth of Ohio and the United States. Students begin to understand how ideas and events from the past have shaped Ohio and the United States today.”
The promotion will allow fourth-grade students to further explore and understand Ohio’s unique contribution to the U.S. for the past 250+ years and to see how they fit into the larger story of Ohio. We hope students will come away inspired and excited about the history of Ohio and eager to learn more.
For the 2025-2026 4th grade students, the pass will be valid through August 31, 2026. Each year, for that school year’s 4th graders, the pass will be good September 1 through the following August 31. The program will end on August 31, 2027.
Yes, they can be used in more than one location, provided the museum is one of the participating history museums. You will need to show a Pass at each location.
Participating history museums throughout the state of Ohio, including the Cincinnati Museum Center, Ohio History Connection sites, and Western Reserve Historical Society/Cleveland History Center and Hale Farm and Village. To find an up-to-date list of participating history museums visit america250-ohio/fourth-grade-pass/#list
The student and their family will take the Pass to the participating location of their choice and show it to the admissions desk team member for one free admission for the fourth-grade student.
It will only cover the museum’s general admission. You should plan to pay the admission fees for any extra activities such as a planetarium show, giant screen film, special exhibition, etc., they are not included in the offer.
Pass Restrictions:
Go to America250-ohio.org/fourth-grade pass and click on the Contact Us under “Become a Museum Partner” and put in the subject line “4th Grade History Pass Partner” – an America 250-Ohio team member will reach out to inform you about the program and its requirements.
