Adams Township will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States this summer with a community-wide celebration designed to bring residents together through music, family activities, and fireworks.
The event is scheduled for Wednesday, July 1, beginning at 5 p.m. and culminating with a fireworks display around 9 p.m., weather and darkness permitting. Activities will be spread throughout Adams Township Community Park, transforming much of the park into a walkable festival space designed for residents of all ages.
“This is about bringing people together,” said Brian Perry, Adams Township’s Director of Parks and Recreation. “We’re trying to create something that has a little bit of everything — for kids, families, seniors, and anyone who just wants to come out and enjoy the community.”
A Park-Wide Celebration
The event footprint will stretch across multiple areas of the park, including the splash pad, War Memorial Pavilion, Rotary Pavilion, and Rotary Baseball Field. A dedicated kids’ zone with inflatables will be set up near the splash pad, along with food vendors and a children’s train ride. The splash pad itself will remain open throughout the event.
Nonprofit organizations from Adams Township and surrounding communities — including groups such as the Girl Scouts — will be invited to host informational booths in the Rotary parking lot. Township officials emphasized that this area is intended strictly for nonprofit and community organizations, not political campaigning or commercial sales.
“This isn’t a vendor fair or a political event,” Perry explained. “It’s about constituent services and community organizations sharing what they do for Adams Township.”
Block Party, Live Music, and Beer Garden
In the central area of the park, the celebration will feature a block party atmosphere sponsored by the Southern Butler County Business Association (SBCBA) and the Butler County Chamber of Commerce.
Two live bands are scheduled to perform on a stage set up in Rotary Baseball Field:
- Buckwild, a country music band, will open the evening
- The Hit List, a Top 40 cover band, will perform leading up to the fireworks
Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets to enjoy the music from the outfield.
A beer garden will operate in conjunction with the block party, coordinated by SBCBA representatives. Township officials said discussions have included several local breweries and vendors, including Stick City Brewing, Dented Keg, Back Home Barbecue, and Recon Brewing, with final confirmations expected closer to the event.
Fireworks and Family Activities
The fireworks display will be provided by Little Big Shots, a southwestern Pennsylvania–based companyheadquartered in Somerset County that has handled Adams Township fireworks for several years. The show is expected to last approximately 20 to 25 minutes.
In addition to music and fireworks, organizers are planning a range of family-friendly activities throughout the evening. A bingo session is tentatively scheduled at the War Memorial Pavilion from approximately 6 to 8 p.m., offering another option for residents looking for a quieter activity.
“The idea is that families can spread out,” Perry said. “Kids can be down at the splash pad and inflatables, grandparents can enjoy bingo, and then everyone can come together later in the evening for the music and fireworks.”
Parking, Access, and Volunteers
Parking will be available throughout much of the park, including the municipal lot, pickleball court area, and portions of the splash pad lot. Some areas — including the Rotary parking lot and the lot above the splash pad — will be closed to accommodate event activities.
Township officials said they are planning for overflow parking if needed, including grassy areas along Park Ford Roadand the use of golf carts to assist with transportation into the park. Public works staff and volunteers will help manage traffic and direct attendees.
Organizers are seeking 30 to 40 volunteers to help with event operations. Local organizations, nonprofits, and school groups are encouraged to participate. Anyone interested in volunteering can contact the township at 724-625-2221.
Vendors, Sponsorships, and Community Support
Adams Township is still accepting applications for food vendors, nonprofit booths, and event sponsors through its website at adamstwp.org. As of the interview, eight food vendors had already been secured.
While the township has allocated a budget for the event, officials said sponsorships will help enhance the celebration while minimizing costs to taxpayers. Sponsors will receive recognition through signage, social media mentions, event publications, and on commemorative T-shirts.
In keeping with the anniversary theme, the first 250 attendees who participate at the tie-dye booth will receive a free event T-shirt.
Township Manager Mike Tylka said the event also serves as a test case for future large-scale community programming.
“The township hasn’t done an event like this in a number of years,” Tylka said. “If it’s well-attended and well-received, we’d like to carry parts of it forward into the future.”
Why the 250th Matters
The event is part of a broader national observance marking the 250th anniversary of the United States. For Adams Township, the milestone carries added historical resonance: the township was officially named in 1854 after John Quincy Adams, creating a symbolic connection to the nation’s early history.
“This is a chance to celebrate not just the township, but the country and the community we’ve built here,” Perry said. “It’s also an opportunity to show people how much the park has changed and improved in recent years.”
Those improvements include a splash pad, new basketball courts, four pickleball courts, a new playground, and expanded pavilion rental options.
Township officials noted that Adams has not hosted a large-scale community event of this size in several years. If attendance and feedback are strong, portions of the event could evolve into an annual tradition.
The event is free and open to the public. More information, including vendor and volunteer applications, is available at adamstwp.org.