Johnston County will mark America’s 250th anniversary in 2026 with a series of commemorative events, heritage programs, and community celebrations designed to honor the nation’s founding while highlighting the county’s own historic legacy and cultural traditions.

Throughout the year, residents and visitors will find opportunities to engage with Johnston County’s past through special ceremonies, educational programming, historical tours, performances, and family-friendly public events hosted by municipalities, arts organizations, historical groups, and local partners.

A Fun Local Fair, Plus a Broadway Play

The headlining event will be the America 250 Fair at Johnston Community College, scheduled for June 27, 2026, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, on the college’s main campus. The Fair will include a living history encampment by Camp Flintlock, with a parade of their fife and drum corps, as well as cannon firing, horse-drawn carriage rides, a puppet show put on by the Women's Club of Clayton, and vendor booths of local organizations, as well as food and craft vendors. Plus art and history displays presented by the Johnston County Arts Council and the Johnston County Heritage Center.

Also happening that same weekend, enjoy performances of the Broadway musical “1776,” written by Peter Stone and directed by Andrew Wade of Clayton Theatricals, at the Paul A. Johnston Auditorium at Johnston Community College on June 26 and 27 at 7:00 pm, and June 28 at 3:00 pm.

“America 250 gives us a meaningful chance to celebrate the people, cultures, and historical milestones that shaped both our nation and Johnston County,” said Todd Johnson, Executive Director of the Johnston County Heritage Center. “Through these events, we invite residents and visitors alike to explore, learn, and be part of this historic anniversary year.”

Tuscarora Mural to be Dedicated

If you're looking to celebrate a little sooner, attend an upcoming mural dedication. The Johnston County Committee for America250NC will hold a dedication ceremony for a new mural in Downtown Smithfield honoring the Tuscarora people on Saturday, April 25, at 11:00 am. Greensboro artist Brian Lewis, who also painted the nearby Ava Gardner mural, completed the Tuscarora mural last November. 

The dedication will include speeches, stories, and songs by Tuscarora descendants in both English and Tuscarora languages. A plaque explaining the symbols represented in the mural will be unveiled at the conclusion of the ceremony. This project was supported through a grant from America250NC, a program of the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

“We are thrilled to have this beautiful masterpiece honoring indigenous people who once called Johnston County home,” said Allison Elsee, Johnston County Chairperson for America250NC. “We sincerely hope members of the Tuscarora Nation will find this to be a meaningful place to visit and pay homage to their ancestors.”  

Other America 250 highlights planned across Johnston County:

  • Johnston County will be a part of the "Beyond Liberty Tree" initiative to assist Western NC’s continued Hurricane Helene recovery. JoCo’s Liberty Tree will be a white oak planted on the new Four Oaks campus of Johnston Community College, with support from the Four Oaks Chamber and the Smith-Bryan Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. A dedication is anticipated for early summer.

  • Guided bus tours of local historic buildings and sites are scheduled for late Spring, offering residents and visitors a deeper look at Johnston County’s architectural and cultural heritage.

  • The unveiling of new historical markers, including three Revolutionary War markers in Smithfield and Meadow, with programming dates to be announced.

  • Curated Walking Tours of many of JoCo’s historical downtowns, focusing on period architecture, notable Johnstonians through history, and more; coming this Fall.


Local leaders note that the America 250 commemoration represents an opportunity not only to reflect on national history but also to share Johnston County’s local stories, artistic expression, and community pride with a wider audience.

“All of these events are our county's way of commemorating this historic milestone and celebrating Johnston County's part in the Revolutionary era that brought forth our country, the United States of America!” said Elsee, “We hope every Johnstonian will come out to all of these events and be a part of celebrating America's 250th Anniversary!”

Additional programs and commemorative activities may be announced as plans continue to develop throughout 2026. Info is available at www.johnstonnc.gov/America250; the site will be updated throughout the year.

These projects and programs are supported through a grant from America250NC, a program of the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, as well as local sponsors, including the County of Johnston and First Citizens Bank.