Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) – Erie County announced plans on Thursday for a robust and unique calendar of events and programs that will take place locally in celebration the 250th anniversary of the establishment of the United States of America. <\/p>\n
Among the highlights from the full slate of summer programming is \u201c716 Celebrates: Stars, Stripes, and Signers\u201d on Sunday, Aug. 2. The event will commemorate the date in 1776 when members of the Continental Congress began signing the engrossed parchment copy of the Declaration of Independence. <\/p>\n
While July 4 marks the adoption of America\u2019s independence, Aug. 2 makes the moment when many of the signers personally placed their names on the document and pledged themselves to the cause. <\/p>\n
The event will include a celebration of American history and education with interactive activities planned that involve U.S. military heritage and cultural programming being provided by numerous heritage partners. There will also be live musical entertainment, food and beverages, family activities, a reading of the Declaration of Independence, and a fireworks display along Buffalo\u2019s waterfront. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe are pleased to announce that Erie County is offering its own American 250 celebration this year,\u201d said Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz. \u201cErie County\u2019s history of innovators, trailblazers and history makers from our many dynamic communities have helped shape our nation over these many years. In short, Erie County\u2019s history is United States\u2019 history. I encourage county residents and visitors to our region to attend some of these special events in the weeks and months ahead and help celebrate our incredible nation and its storied history.\u201d<\/p>\n