(WHTM) — Pennsylvanians will be seeing America250PA everywhere this year.
Just this month, it’ll host free concerts with big headliners in Erie, Hershey, Wilkes-Barre and Pittsburgh. Those are just some of its signature events to celebrate the United States’ 250th anniversary — or as some call it, semiquincentennial.
“But if you want to be really cool … we’re gonna say semi quin,” said Cassandra Coleman. The former Exeter mayor joined America250PA as its executive director in 2018, when the state legislature established the commission.
America250PA is the state-focused branch of the national America250 organization. There are 49 others like it, but Coleman said Pennsylvania has played the biggest role in American history. It is, of course, where it all started.
“And we will fight our state partners on that,” Coleman said.
About than $20 million has gone into the commission thanks to a mix of donations and state dollars. The eight-year timeline should indicate the effort going into the celebrations, which don’t end on July 4, by the way.
Click here to stay up to date with events across all 67 counties. Plus, watch Coleman’s interview on “This Week in Pennsylvania” to learn how the commission is securing its events during a hot tourist season.
Every week, “This Week in Pennsylvania” gives a comprehensive look at the week’s biggest news events in Pennsylvania, provided by the abc27 News team, along with the latest updates on local stories.
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