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America250PA: Mifflin County visitors bureau outlines yearlong semiquincentennial program and local initiatives
Summary
Jenny Landis, the county’s appointed representative for America250PA, presented a yearlong slate of events and community projects for the 2026 semiquincentennial, including a Liberty Bell art project, two public sculptures and a time-capsule initiative stored inside the Liberty Bell.
LEWISTOWN, Pa. — Jenny Landis, director of the Juniata River Valley Visitors Bureau and Mifflin County’s appointed representative to America250PA, briefed the county commissioners on a series of events and community projects tied to the national semiquincentennial in 2026.
Landis told commissioners the visitors bureau has secured a fiberglass “Liberty Bell” that will be painted by Midland County High School art teacher Jen Hartzler and displayed locally as part of a larger, yearlong celebration. “We are gonna store our time capsule inside the Liberty Bell, which will be positioned somewhere here on this property here at the County courthouse,” Landis said.
She outlined an event calendar that spans most months of the year, including school programs, community art shows, concerts, fireworks and local exhibits. Landis said postcards-to-the-future will be collected from residents and youth; the visitors bureau will preserve submissions and plan to open them after 25 years so students can read messages written during their school years.
The bureau is also planning two public “wild goose” sculptures—one placed in Mifflin County and one in Juniata County—and is coordinating with local historical societies, schools, arts organizations and businesses to encourage red-white-and-blue themes at existing community events. Landis said the county’s Liberty Bell will be decorated with historic parade photos and children’s images and will be dedicated during Goose Day weekend in September 2026 if sponsorship funds are secured.
Landis asked for ideas and local participation and said the visitors bureau has started a county mailing list and a social media page at “America250PAMifflinCounty.” She encouraged community groups to adopt small events rather than relying solely on the visitors bureau to organize activities.
Ending: Landis said details will continue to develop through 2025 and that the visitors bureau will return to the commissioners with updates and requests for formal proclamations to support events.
