Conesville preparing to celebrate America’s 250th birthday

CONESVILLE―Conesville will host an America 250 Celebration on September 19, 2026. A committee representing a diverse group of community members and organizations, led by current Town Historian Kimberly (Young) Moree, has been working on planning the event since 2024.

In July 1976, former Town Historian Beatrice Mattice led a committee to celebrate America’s 200th anniversary and it was a huge success. There was a flag raising ceremony, parade, children’s games, and contests for all ages, history displays, and a craft show ending with an old fashioned hoedown.

**Mattice recalls in her book, They Walked These Hills Before Me, “This [the bicentennial] was quite a day for Conesville! An estimated crowd of 2,000 people attended. As one resident said, ‘This was one of the best days of our lives. I am so proud of Conesville and the people who live here.’”

Fifty years later the committee hopes there will be the same community spirit and celebration of our nation’s history across generations.

The “big” celebration is set to begin at 4 p.m. on September 19. Food includes a chicken BBQ by the Conesville Fire Department, the Sass Squatch Food Truck, hot dogs, hamburgers, homemade ice cream and more. There will also be a pie contest for all the bakers out there.

Emergency and construction vehicles will be on display. Vendors will be spread out across the town park. Demonstrations from blacksmithing to beekeeping will be held including the Utica Zoo Zoomobile. Community organizations are invited to set up booths. There are activities for everyone.

A parade along Conesville's main street will step off at 6 p.m., followed by a square dance with the Tremperskill Boys at 7 p.m. The day will end with an unforgettable fireworks display befitting the celebration of 250 years of American history!

The Conesville Historical Society started fundraising for the 250th celebration over three years ago through an annual silent auction in December. Its success has inspired a new fundraising event: American History and Culture Trivia Night to be held February 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the Conesville Fire House. Cost is $10 per person. A bonus game of "Name that Tune" will also be part of the fun. Refreshments will be available by donation.

To inspire reflection, research, and creativity, CHS is hosting an America 250 contest until June 15. Open to pre-k to adults with age categories, this contest has opportunities for creative writing, nonfiction writing, photography, and artwork as people are invited to submit their work on one of four themes established by the 250th committee: Natural Beauty, History, Heroes, and Pride. More information on the contest is available by checking out the Conesville Historical Society Facebook page or emailing conesvillehistoricalsociety@gmail.com.

Conesville welcomes everyone to participate in this event. Whether you are interested in setting up as a vendor, sharing a demonstration, parading down Conesville's main street, sponsoring, or most importantly, attending, they would be delighted to have you! Likewise, the 250th committee is also soliciting sponsors to help cover the cost of the September event.

Anyone seeking more information should reach out to younghistorian22@gmail.com.

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