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Lebanon County outlines final push for 250th July 4th celebration; seeks sponsors and volunteers
Summary
Organizers reported extensive marketing, logistics, and sponsorship needs for the county's 250th July 4 celebration, including a $2,500 digital-billboard request, bus coordination, wooden-nickel school program expansion and 5,000 veteran patches, and asked to appear at a regular public meeting for any county funding decisions.
John, an event lead for the Lebanon County 250th celebration, briefed commissioners on marketing, logistics and outstanding sponsorship needs for the county's July 4th Expo event. He said the committee is running social-media campaigns, weekly historical posts, radio trades and five TV segments on GAL, and plans a three-week digital-billboard push that could cost about $2,500. "Our second biggest fear is 20,000 people show up that day," John said, adding that the committee's primary concern is ensuring broad public notice and managing crowds.
Organizers described multiple elements: a wooden-nickel historical scavenger program (15,000 nickels ordered, school participation expected), a car show with a target of 250 cars, free public bus transportation from 7th and Willow to the Expo Center with multiple stops, and a vendor floor with more than 70 confirmed exhibitors. The committee is translating handouts into Spanish and French, pursuing Spanish-language internet radio spots, and proceeding with a TV filming schedule that will air several short segments on May 13.
Specific sponsorship asks and budget items were raised in the workshop. John asked whether the county would confirm willingness to cover the digital-billboard package (~$2,500 total) and asked commissioners to consider funding graphic wraps for two Lebanon buses (estimated $2,800). He also noted the county marketing budget line for 2026 remains at about $10,000 and that bills have been submitted for prior work. When commissioners questioned transportation routing, organizers said they are coordinating with Department of Emergency Services and that commissioners recommended directly contacting PennDOT to check for roadwork on Route 72.
Other program items include 5,000 veteran patches to be distributed on July 4, a quilt to be auctioned, historic wagons (several sponsored; Conestoga wagon sponsorship cited at $2,000), and a potential time-capsule display at the Expo (to be reburied by July 31). Organizers confirmed a guest speaker and historical-objects presentation by David Geiger, an arms appraiser from Lititz who works with the Smithsonian.
No formal county commitments were made during the workshop. Organizers requested time on a regular public meeting in mid-June to present a final itinerary and any formal county funding requests for commission consideration.
What happens next: Organizers will continue sponsorship outreach, finalize the itinerary and meet again in mid-June before presenting funding requests at a regular public meeting if needed.
