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County’s America250 representatives preview 2026 Liberty Bell unveiling, grants and county events
Summary
Carbon County’s America250 PA representative and the Pocono Mountain Vacation Bureau updated commissioners on semiquincentennial preparations, a $5,000 county grant, a delivered Liberty Bell to be sited in Weisport Park, and sponsorship and event-planning efforts for 2026.
Representatives for Carbon County’s America250 PA effort and the Pocono Mountain Vacation Bureau briefed the Board of Commissioners on planning for the United States semiquincentennial in 2026, including grants, a county Liberty Bell project and countywide event coordination.
Kim Worley, the county’s appointed America250 PA advisory-board representative, said a local group won a $5,000 semiquincent grant for the Jacobs Weisport Historical Society to fund a parade and celebration in July 2026. She said the county has also secured a Liberty Bell project: a locally sponsored decorative Liberty Bell that supporters have agreed to place in Weisport Park near an existing Liberty Tree and that the bell had been delivered to a local vendor that day.
Marlon Kisner of the Pocono Mountain Vacation Bureau said the visitors bureau is hosting a microsite to collect event listings and urged organizations to submit events so the county can produce a consolidated listing for 2026. He said the visitors bureau has provided a $10,000 sponsorship for the Liberty Bell project and that local artist submissions were used to create the bell’s design.
Why it matters: The semiquincentennial will be a multi-event, countywide initiative in 2026. County leaders said capturing events and building sponsorships will help communities attract visitors and coordinate celebrations across towns and organizations.
Details from the presentation - A county semiquincent grant of $5,000 was awarded to the Jacobs Weisport Historical Society for a July 2026 parade and celebration. - The county Liberty Bell will be unveiled in Weisport Park; the visitors bureau provided a $10,000 sponsorship for the bell. - The visitors bureau has a microsite for event submissions and has produced handouts with submission instructions. - Sponsorships are being sought; Pocono Mountain Vacation Bureau reported a $1,500 platinum sponsorship already pledged by MCT.
Commissioners were invited to attend unveiling and photo-op events and were asked to help promote local activities and sponsorships. Steering-committee members mentioned in the presentation included Dave Serrino and Carol Etheridge; steering membership covers multiple communities in Carbon County.
Ending Organizers said they will continue fundraising, accept event submissions on the visitors bureau microsite, and coordinate unveiling plans for the Liberty Bell and other county-wide events into 2026.
