Dorothy, chair of Dare County’s A250 committee, told the Board of Commissioners the local America 250 effort is moving from planning into implementation and unveiled a yearlong slate of programs to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary.

The initiative will center on a community fair at the Wright Brothers National Memorial on April 18, free and family friendly, and an interactive passport program that launched January 1. "As we begin 2026, the Dare County America 250 initiative will move from planning to implementation," Dorothy said during a presentation to the board. Organizers said the passport includes 13 public sites where residents and visitors can collect virtual stamps and earn a commemorative certificate.

The history subcommittee, led by Tammy Woodward of the Outer Banks History Center, described a county history timeline and a GIS‑powered interactive map that lists 28 historic sites and links to longer write‑ups online. "We created a map with the 28 locations," Woodward said, and explained the passport will let participants scan posted QR codes to claim a virtual stamp and track progress toward a certificate.

Marketing and outreach leads showed the new website, darea250.org, which includes an events submission form, volunteer sign‑up and vendor applications. Jeff Swartzenberg and Caitlin (marketing lead) said the county plans newsletters, social media ads and print rack cards to publicize events and recruit volunteers.

Organizers said subcommittees will support educational programming in county schools, student contests and small grants for classroom projects tied to the A250 curriculum. "We're also exploring opportunities for student contests, classroom grants, and partnerships that bring history to life," Tammy Woodward said. The committee said it will prioritize local vendors and businesses for event participation and is coordinating closely with the National Park Service and town partners.

Next steps: organizers asked the board to promote the website and volunteer forms, and to share materials for local distribution. The county will publish a monthly newsletter with spotlights on passport locations and event news; committee members said they hope to present certificates in person late in the year.