"Our greatness comes not only from what we’ve done, but what we’re still determined to discover."
America250 Slogan
We Are Here To Make History — Happy 250, America!
America250: Liberty on Parade
July 4, 2026 | Hailey, Idaho
The Blaine County Historical Museum was proud to serve as the lead organizer of one of the Wood River Valley's largest community celebrations of 2026 – America250!
In commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, BCHM partnered with Blaine County, the City of Hailey, and the Valley Chamber to create Liberty on Parade: Blaine County's American Story, an extraordinary community-led celebration of our nation's founding, told through the rich history of our own valley.
Presented during Hailey's beloved Fourth of July Parade, the celebration transformed Main Street into a moving historical timeline, bringing together all five cities of Blaine County to represent the people, industries, traditions, and defining moments that shaped our region.
"Our goal was to bring history out of the museum and onto Main Street, where the entire community could experience it together. Liberty on Parade gave us the opportunity to celebrate the people, industries, and traditions that shaped Blaine County while reminding us that we are all part of the continuing American story", said Rebecca Cox, Director at The Blaine County Historical Museum.
What began as an idea among community leaders grew into an incredible collaborative undertaking, with approximately 300 people contributing their time, talents, and creativity to bring our shared history to life.
Bringing Blaine County's History to Life
The historical procession opened with the James Tone Riders from the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, honoring the Indigenous peoples whose connection to this region extends back thousands of years.
From there, the parade carried spectators through successive chapters of Blaine County's history.
The Blaine County Historical Museum's Union Pacific locomotive and passenger car commemorated the railroad's transformative role in connecting the Wood River Valley to the nation and bringing visitors to Sun Valley.
Hailey celebrated its Basque and sheep ranching traditions with an authentic sheep camp, live sheep, and a wonderful tribute to the agricultural families and industries that helped establish our valley.
““History isn’t just something we preserve in a museum. It’s something we share, celebrate, and continue creating together. Liberty on Parade was a wonderful example of our entire community bringing that idea to life.””
The City of Sun Valley celebrated the beginnings of America's first destination ski resort, complete with a chairlift and historic skiing imagery, while Ketchum's colorful float highlighted the evolution of our modern mountain community, including outdoor recreation, skiing, music, and the four-season lifestyle for which our valley is known.
Carey's pioneer representation celebrated the early settlement of southern Blaine County, complete with wagons, period costumes, and scenes of frontier life. Bellevue brought its mining heritage to life with a recreation of the historic Minnie Moore Mine, including a mine entrance, ore cart, and enthusiastic miners.
Additional historical representations included the Upper Big Wood Grange, American Legion, U.S. Forest Service and Civilian Conservation Corps, and costumed participants portraying Abraham and Mary Lincoln.
Together, these remarkable contributions illustrated the many chapters of our community's American story.
A Community That Made History Together
Behind the scenes, Liberty on Parade was an extraordinary demonstration of community collaboration.
Local artists, craftspeople, students, historians, businesses, city employees, families, and volunteers contributed countless hours to researching, designing, constructing, painting, and presenting the historical floats.
BCHM President Bob MacLeod and BCHM volunteer Glenn Carter constructed an impressive Union Pacific locomotive, complete with a working smokestack. Larry Gardner, Wyatt Solaas, Kelly Coonce, and their team created the passenger car, mine entrance, and ore cart, while Brooke Vagias and fellow Sage School students helped bring the train to life through their artistic detail work.
Across the valley, each participating community embraced the opportunity to tell its own story. From Carey's pioneer families to Ketchum's summer recreation students, the celebration brought generations together through a shared appreciation for local history.
The generosity extended far beyond the float builders. Businesses donated workspace and equipment, volunteers provided transportation, community members cared for animals, musicians performed, and countless individuals contributed behind the scenes.
Approximately 300 people helped turn a historical concept into an unforgettable community celebration.
"America's 250th birthday gave us the opportunity to celebrate our nation's story, but together we celebrated our own piece of American history. Watching people from every corner of the valley bring their talents, creativity, and hearts to this project was something truly special. We brought Blaine County's history to life, and in doing so, created a wonderful new chapter of our own", said Cox.
The Blaine County Historical Museum extends its sincere gratitude to our organizing partners: the Blaine County Commission, the City of Hailey, and the Valley Chamber, along with the cities of Carey, Bellevue, Ketchum, and Sun Valley.
We are especially grateful to Commissioner Muffy Davis, Lisa Horowitz, Mike McKenna, and the many city leaders and staff members who embraced the vision and helped coordinate this valley-wide undertaking.
Our thanks also extend to the Shoshone-Bannock James Tone Riders, American Legion, Upper Big Wood Grange, U.S. Forest Service representatives, Gooding firefighters, local musicians, historical reenactors, participating businesses, artists, craftspeople, students, and the hundreds of volunteers whose contributions made this celebration possible.
Special appreciation goes to Silver Creek Irrigation Supply and The Life Church for generously providing float construction and staging spaces, and to Tony Evans for his hospitality to the James Tone Riders.
We also recognize the dedication of our BCHM Board, staff, and volunteers, whose enthusiasm and countless hours of work helped bring this ambitious project to fruition.
To every person who built, painted, marched, drove, performed, donated, organized, or simply showed up ready to help: thank you for making history with us.
Our History. Our Community. Our American Story.
Liberty on Parade was more than a commemoration of America's 250th birthday. It was an opportunity to celebrate the generations who came before us, strengthen the connections within our community, and inspire future generations to discover and preserve the stories that make Blaine County unique.
At the Blaine County Historical Museum, we believe history is not simply something we inherit. It is something we share, preserve, and continue creating together.
As we look back on this remarkable celebration, we are reminded that our greatest resource is the community itself – and that every one of us has a part in the continuing American story.
“Thank you for believing in this vision. Thank you for showing up for your community. And thank you for reminding all of us what can happen when we come together with purpose, creativity, and generous hearts!” — Rebecca Cox, on behalf of the Blaine County Historical Museum
America250 in the News
Eye on Sun Valley
Read Karen Bossick's coverage of the historical parade and the remarkable community participation that brought Blaine County's history to life.
Idaho Mountain Express
Discover the creativity, craftsmanship, and community collaboration behind the historical floats.
Blaine County Historical Museum
218 N. Main Street | Hailey, Idaho
SHARE YOUR AMERICAN STORY
In celebration of America’s 250th Anniversary, the Blaine County Historical Museum invites community members to take part in the national initiative, “Share Your American Story.”
History is more than presidents, wars, and famous moments — it is also the story of everyday Americans. Your personal experiences, family traditions, and community roots are an important part of the American story.
This initiative aims to create a collection of personal narratives for the America 250 celebration.
We invite you to schedule a time to record your story at the Blaine County Historical Museum and help create a living mosaic of what it means to be American today.
Your story matters. Share it for future generations.
