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We did it, Philadelphia! America made it to 250 years old.
Locals pushed through an intense heat wave (followed by brutal thunderstorms) to celebrate a week filled with fireworks, World Cup matches, barbecues, concerts, historical reenactments, pet parades, protests, festivals and more. Others opted to keep it lowkey and stayed inside.
But there were also plenty of stranger, more niche events across the country for 2026’s Fourth of July milestone.
We’re listing all the oddest celebrations that took place for the semiquincentennial.
1. The Miss America Bell
Last Thursday, Independence Mall had two Liberty Bells. One was the actual, 1752 bronze casting that has come to define the nation’s ongoing fight for freedom, and the other was a bell made up of humans. Two hundred and fifty volunteers, including Miss America delegates, traveled from all over to stand in a specific formation and create a “living” bell.
2. Bobble heads in Milwaukee
Milwaukee’s National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum put on a special celebration — unveiling 16 new bobbleheads depicting key figures that have shaped the nation. The lineup spans history including favorite founders like Ben Franklin and Alexander Hamilton, as well as inventors, educators and activists including Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony.
3. Ben Franklin look alike contest
Philly paid homage to our favorite founding father by having a bunch of people who kind of resemble him — and many who didn’t at all — dress up and come together. On Friday, July 3, 2026, at 5:30 p.m., Independence Hall had an official Ben Franklin-off. The contest winner, Kiya Burgess, wore a hilarious bald cap with grey hair flowing from the sides to take home the victory.
4. Revolutionary Spuds
Idaho loves potatoes, so for this fourth of July, the state created hand-sewn potato mascots dressed as different revolutionary figures. To top it off, the mascots all had punny names like “Spudjamin Franklin” and “Martha Tot Washingtater.” Idaho State treasurer Julie A. Ellsworth, who created the figures, is now known as the “creator-tater.”
5. George Washington trampoline
The painting “George Washington Crossing the Delaware” is one of the most iconic depictions of the country’s first president. Washington looks ahead as his men row against cold and rough waters — storm clouds part behind them. What better way, then, to celebrate the founding of the nation than bouncing up and down on this famous scene? Trampolines.com had an artist paint her own version of “George Washington Crossing the Delaware” on a 10×17-foot Olympic size in-ground trampoline.
6. “Mega Strong Workout” at the Jefferson Memorial
While many of us have nightmares thinking back to the Presidential Fitness Test in school, others thrived off the competition. The gym Mega Strong Fitness has the slogan “Making Exercise Great Again” and threw a large outdoor fitness class with a live DJ at the Jefferson Memorial in D.C.
7. The Cupcake flag
The Philadelphia Visitor center put out a large American flag display of 5,000 red, white and blue cupcakes on July 4. ShopRite bakers created each cupcake for America’s big birthday party. There was even a ceremonial presentation of the confectionary flag, which included a communal singing of the “Happy Birthday” song and visitors signed a very large birthday card.
8. Revolutionary escape room
“The British are coming, and they are right on your heels!” That’s the theme of an ongoing escape room taking place at the King of Prussia Mall in honor of America 250. Guests get to snoop around the house of a suspected Loyalist, find vital information that will protect Colonial troops and work to get out in time.
9. Spirit of 76: The Philadelphia Cocktail Trail
Thirty different hotels in Philadelphia created a cocktail crawl with alcoholic drinks and mocktails inspired by the city’s role in the country’s founding. For example, the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown had a Fish House Punch, inspired by a 1732 drink from the Schuylkill Fishing Company.
10. Fireworks at 2:30 a.m.
The planned $15.5 million One Philly: Unity Concert for America concert at the Parkway was supposed to be the quintessential 250 celebration. But thanks to severe heat and a flash storm — the festivities were halted for several hours right before headliners like The Roots, Christina Aguilera, Meek Mill and Will Smith were set to perform. Because of this, the event is making our odd celebration list. The big fireworks display didn’t even go off until the middle of the night around 2:30 a.m. — waking up many grumpy neighbors.
