Keeseville gearing up for 250th celebration

KEESEVILLE | Communities across the United States are gearing up for the America250 celebration, marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, and with the holidays now over, a local vibrant committee is planning its very own for Keeseville. Last year, the Keeseville 250 Committee began working with local organizations and officials from the towns of Chesterfield and Ausable to develop ideas for this year's week-long celebration, from July 19 (the last day of the Plein Air Festival) through July 25. On Jan. 21 at 6 p.m. at the Town of Chesterfield office on Vine Street, the Keeseville 250 Committee will host its first meeting of the new year to not only gather new ideas, but also begin to solidify them. So far, the committee plans to host a larger-scale celebration over the weekend, with potential features like a townwide garage sale, parade, fireworks, and more. There will also be a special event centered on Port Kent, which is celebrating its 200th anniversary this year. There's even potential for boat tours to Crab Island to happen. "I anticipate that organizations like the Ausable Valley Grange, Knights of Columbus, and Memorial VFW Post 1505 will do something special over the week, but each organization has to decide what they're going to do. That will be up to them," clarified Town of Chesterfield Clerk Bruce Bourgeois, who is also chair of the Keeseville 250 Committee. "But regardless of what happens, there's going to be a lot of big celebrations not just in Keeseville, but everywhere, all over the country." This year, the U.S. will mark an extraordinary milestone: 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. "We aim to inspire our fellow Americans to reflect on our past, strengthen our love of country, and renew our commitment to the ideals of democracy through programs that educate, engage, and unite us as a nation," as stated on the website of America250, a nonpartisan initiative working to engage every American in celebrating the Semiquincentennial. "America250 will foster shared experiences that spark imagination, showcase the rich tapestry of our American stories, inspire service in our communities, honor the enduring strength, and celebrate the resilience of the United States of America." In honor of this important milestone, communities across the country will come together to celebrate, including several in New York. According to the "I Love NY" official website, "New York has played an immense and vital role in our country's journey to independence — nearly a third of American Revolution battles were fought on New York soil." Throughout the state, historic sites, museums, battlefields, and attractions will open their doors for a variety of events, which can be listed on the 250 Commemoration events calendar on the I Love NY website. "There's a lot of excitement building up, and the puzzle pieces are starting to fall into place," Bourgeois said. "This summer is definitely going to be big." In addition to Bourgeois, the Keeseville 250 Committee currently comprises the following individuals: Mary Hughes, Geri Favreau, Christine Dion, Nany Smith, Barb Donela, Marion Inglish, Pat Labounty, and Cindy Bourgeois. For more information or updates, visit chesterfieldny.gov.

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Keeseville gearing up for 250th celebration

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