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New Albany authorizes $100,000 for semiquincentennial events and outlines yearlong schedule
Summary
City staff presented a yearlong schedule of Semiquincentennial events; council authorized the city manager to distribute up to $100,000 for arts and education programs, including concerts, youth theater, a parade, and a 500‑drone show coordinated with a symphony performance.
City staff presented a yearlong Semiquincentennial (250th anniversary of U.S. independence) plan to the New Albany City Council on March 3 and the council voted 5–0 to authorize the city manager to distribute up to $100,000 in appropriated 2026 funds for community arts and education programming.
Community Programs Administrator Abby Brooks walked council through a calendar of events: a June staging of “1776” by the New Albany Youth Theatre at the Henson Amphitheater; a July 3 pre‑declaration party and New Albany Symphony Orchestra concert at Rose Run Park; a July 4 parade that will include a golf‑cart decorating "putt putt processional" and an expanded fireworks finale; an August PBS‑centered music event at the amphitheater; and a Veterans Day program with an historical veterans museum presentation. Brooks said the city hopes to celebrate throughout 2026 and will coordinate programming with community partners and grant recipients.
Brooks provided estimated costs: the youth theatre and symphony proposals are approximately $27,000 and $33,000 respectively; the pre‑declaration party budgeted $19,855; a 500‑drone show with a fireworks finish was contracted for $69,250 (committed in 2025); and the July 4 fireworks show is budgeted at $54,000 (an increase tied to an extended grand finale). "So our theme this year is ‘party like it’s 1776,’" Brooks said.
Staff emphasized accessibility and inclusion: an "accommodation station" (replacing last year’s "inclusivity zone") will provide reduced noise and low‑stimulus space, accessible parking, and other supports. Council authorized the city manager to execute contracts and distribute funds to support arts and education programming drawn from the $100,000 line in the 2026 budget.
The public hearing on the resolution was opened and closed with no public comment before adoption. Staff said additional partner events and community submissions will be added to the calendar as the year progresses.
Next steps: city staff will process funding requests, execute contracts under the manager’s delegated authority and coordinate logistics for the June–July events with partner organizations.
