Iowa state officials on Thursday announced events and initiatives set for 2026 throughout Iowa as the state participates in national America 250 celebrations.
In addition to participation in national efforts, Iowa’s America 250 Initiative co-chairs Lt. Gov. Chris Cournoyer and Agriculture Sec. Mike Naig said Iowa will be hosting several efforts throughout the next year that showcase the important role Iowa plays in the U.S. — especially in agriculture.
Thursday’s event in the Iowa Capitol’s rotunda was focused on unveiling Iowa’s plans for the upcoming year. The Iowa Young Patriots’ Club performed several songs at the event and a flag ceremony was conducted by the Civil Air Patrol Color Guard.
Each participating state is planning unique, signature events for the initiative — and Cournoyer said Iowa will be “leaning into our DNA” with an signature event called “America’s Harvest.”
“Throughout 2026 we’re going to lead the nation in celebrating how agriculture, gardening and horticulture have proven the very freedoms we enjoy as Americans,” Cournoyer said. “We’ll host webinars, share our agricultural journeys on social media, and then on about — stay tuned — Oct. 24 2026, we will gather for a massive harvest festival that celebrates Iowa’s integral role in feeding and fueling the world for 250 years.”
These are not the only events planned in 2026 to celebrate the nation’s founding. Cournoyer highlighted other efforts like the Masons of Iowa decorating graves of Revolutionary War soldiers in Iowa, planned tea events with actors playing George and Martha Washington, and a State Historical Society program to “renew the historic John Brown trail through southern Iowa.” More on planned events can be found on the state’s website for the America250 initiative.
“It’s a celebration of the Iowans who built this country and the Iowans who are leading it into the next 250 years,” Cournoyer said.
Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate said his office will also be hosting a “Ready, Set, Vote” initiative as part of the 250th anniversary celebration. Registering to vote is a way to celebrate the U.S. by connecting “Iowa’s rich history with our collective civic future, empowering Iowans to take action today for a stronger tomorrow,” he said.
“For the past 250 years, our nation has been at the forefront of civic engagement and the democratic process,” Pate said. “We remain committed to championing those values, and one of the most impactful ways to do that is by registering to vote. It’s the first step in making your voice heard at the ballot box and shaping the future of our representative government.”
Plans to celebrate the country’s 250th anniversary have been in the works for several years, with Iowa beginning to work with the federal America250 effort in 2023. Iowa has also played a role already in some celebrations, with President Donald Trump holding an event July 3 this year at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, where he discussed events planned throughout the country leading up to July 4, 2026.
Naig said while there are multiple events and efforts already launched, the state wanted to make sure America250 celebrations were open to all.
“This is hardly a top-down type of approach,” Naig siad. “I think maybe what I’m even most excited about is what will come up from across the state, opportunities for communities and organizations and schools and churches, businesses and families all across Iowa to take part in their own special and unique ways.”
Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate, right, speaks about Iowa’s America 250 celebrations during an event at the Iowa Capitol Dec. 18, 2025 while joined by Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig, left, and Lt. Governor Chris Cournoyer, co-chairs of the Iowa America 250 initiative. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch)
