Each year on July 4, the country gathers together to celebrate the independence of America, but this year is different than most. On July 4, the U.S. will observe its 250 year anniversary. This celebration is not just for the whole country, but for all communities around the U.S.

On June 20, New Sewickley Township will acknowledge the extensive history of the community at Green Valley Park. The township’s Recreation Board has planned for a multitude of festivities to occur throughout the day. They have been leading the coordination of this celebration with help from the township supervisors.

Starting off the festivities at 1:00 p.m., there will be a parade down the hill at Green Valley Park showcasing emergency vehicles. After the parade, there will be various food trucks and vendors to visit before the ceremony begins.

From there, the newly-created township flag will be hung and celebrated. This year the township asked residents to design a flag to commemorate the history and community of New Sewickley. JT McDonald’s design was chosen from the 19 submissions. This flag will fly at the park for the community to see and appreciate.

“We have never had a township flag, and we are going to raise it up for the first time at the flagpole,” township supervisor Mike Phipps said.

The largest event will be burying a time capsule that showcases life in New Sewickley and Beaver County. The Recreation Board passed out notebooks to churches, organizations and businesses within the township to fill out with different memories and information from recent years. Other memorabilia, such as newspapers and yearbooks, will be collected to go inside of the capsule. They also collected art work that elementary school students made to celebrate all generations of the community. Maps have been drawn of the town with buildings and businesses pinpointed so that future residents are able to see how the town develops over time.

To end the day there will be a patriotic concert by the “Jaggerz.” They will begin music at 7:00 p.m. at the Novak Auto Parts Amphitheater located inside of the park.

“We wanted to do something a little bit more than we normally do because of the 250th anniversary,” Phipps said.

In 50 years, the capsule will be opened with another celebration showing the new growth and changes that occurred for the town. This anniversary and festivities foster the feeling of community that New Sewickley thrives on. The township hopes to show their appreciation to all members of the community. The celebration enables residents to see the growth that New Sewickley endures while recognizing individuality throughout the township.

“I think it is a special time in the country’s history, and we should try to make it a little more dynamic than it usually is,” Phipps said.