STATEHOUSE CALENDAR

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 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, July 4 at the Ohio Statehouse, Columbus Commons, and the Ohio Theatre.

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

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 a.m. and Forrest Gump at 4:30 p.m. American Musical Productions will perform Beautiful Ohio: Music by Ohioans 1896-1926 at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are not required for these free engagements.

The day’s activities will continue at 6 p.m. 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.

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.

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.