Kids’ scavenger hunt to kick off town’s America250! celebration

By Deborah Rose

Excitement is stirring locally as New Milford gears up to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary in 2026.

Special events such as a scavenger hunt, a Boston Tea Party event, a ball, and more are on the horizon in New Milford in the coming months, with the first event to kick off July 1.

“We’re thrilled to highlight New Milford’s place in the founding of our country,” said Heidi Norcross, chair of the New Milford Celebrates America250! Committee.

New Milford is just one town across the nation that is coordinating a celebration as part of a multi-year effort to commemorate the semiquincentennial, or 250th anniversary of, the United States.

The effort is being led at the national level by the non-partisan U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, created by Congress, and its supporting nonprofit America250 Foundation.

Tens of thousands of programs and events of all sizes will be offered throughout the U.S. to bring neighbors and community together through 2026.

The New Milford committee is “working with numerous local community organizations to present a full calendar of events, culminating with the grand celebration in 2026,” said committee member Liba Furhman.

Among the organizations and committees that have expressed an interest in being involved in the festivities are the Roger Sherman, Daughters of the American Revolution, the Sherman Chamber Ensemble, the Riverfest Committee, the historical society, Scouts, and the school district.

Norcross said there will be “something for everyone – kids, adults, seniors and families.”

The first event, the Children of 1773 Scavenger Hunt, will kick off the celebration this summer.

“It’s to help us get the word out about our town’s America250! Plans, and the scavenger hunt is for families.” 

On Wednesday, the last day of school, students in New Milford’s grades K-4 were given a scavenger hunt playbook with a list of 8 locations throughout the community to visit. They will be asked learn an historical fact, answer a question, or participate in an activity at each site July 1- Sept. 30.

“There are plenty of places in town that hold historical significance, and other sites we can tie in activities that relate to the Revolutionary War era,” said Norcross.

The scavenger hunt will be held each summer through 2026. 

To earn a prize, passbooks should be turned in at the New Milford Celebrates America250! booth at Riverfest, this year to be held Sept. 30-Oct. 1.

Students who did not get a passbook in school are invited to pick up a playbook at New Milford Public Library, 24 Main St., beginning July 1.

“We hope to excite everyone to get involved in some way,” Norcross said. “Whether it’s learning historical facts through a scavenger hunt, volunteering to plan an event, coordinating a civic group’s events in conjunction with ours, or raising or donating funds, everyone can be a part of the celebration.”

For more information, email nmct.america250@gmail.com, or visit Facebook and Instagram.

Children can pick up their playbook at New Milford Public Library beginning July 1.