America 250 committee plans countywide events, school field trips and student-designed logo

The Cleveland County Board of Commissioners heard an update from the county’s America 250 committee on plans to mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, including countywide events, a school art project, and a student-designed logo.

Committee chair Stan Lowry said the local committee will organize events across the county rather than concentrating activities in a single town and has formed subcommittees to help manage programming. The committee includes members from across the county and has met five or six times, Lowry said.

“We're gonna try to list those so that folks can go there, a 1 stop kind of thing, and check out all of the events that are, gonna be, coming up to celebrate the 200 and fiftieth anniversary,” Lowry said, describing a centralized calendar and website for events hosted by municipalities across the county.

Lowry told the board the committee secured a $10,000 grant from the state that will be used for printed materials, website support and a major educational outing: providing field trips for fifth-graders to visit Kings Mountain National Military Park. The committee also plans a countywide art project with small awards and will help sponsor events in towns across Cleveland County, he said.

Lowry introduced Pamela Walker, a teacher at Burns High School, and student Jason Blanchard, whose marketing-class submission was chosen as the committee’s logo. The board presented Blanchard with a certificate of recognition for his design.

Lowry said the committee expects a series of events running through July 4, 2026, culminating in a central celebration likely to be held in Shelby. He asked the board for its support and blessing as the committee continues planning.