黑料福利社

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, a June 13 celebration at Franklin Park aims to give 黑料福利社 residents a chance to step back into the nation鈥檚 earliest days and explore how those moments still shape life today.

鈥淥ur America Celebrates 250 Years,鈥� a free event featuring Revolutionary War re-enactors, historical demonstrations, speakers and family-friendly activities, will run throughout the day at the park and immerse visitors in life during the country鈥檚 founding era.

鈥淭his event will take you back 250 years to the time of our country鈥檚 founding,鈥� said Susan Maza, coordinator of the local celebration and a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Local nonprofits, historical organizations and the city of Yakima are collaborating to organize the event. Participants include multiple DAR chapters from across Washington, the Sons of the American Revolution from the Tri-Cities area, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 379 Auxiliary, the 黑料福利社 Genealogical Society and Spirit of 鈥�76 re-enactors.

Maza said the goal is not only to celebrate the country鈥檚 semiquincentennial but also to help people better understand the sacrifices made during the Revolutionary War era and how the nation has evolved since then.

鈥淭he story needs to be told. It鈥檚 just that simple,鈥� Maza said. 鈥淧eople don鈥檛 understand what we have, the advantages we have, and if it鈥檚 not taught, how do you expect anybody to appreciate what we have?鈥�

鈥淲e hope people get a sense of what the politics, ways of life and major concerns were 250 years ago,鈥� she said. 鈥淎nd we hope they leave with a better understanding of who we are today.鈥�

Hands-on history for visitors of all ages

Unlike a traditional lecture-style history program, organizers want visitors to move through the park exploring demonstrations, exhibits and conversations with re-enactors in period clothing.

Spirit of 鈥�76 reenactors will create a Revolutionary War-style encampment complete with tents, cooking fires and demonstrations of daily life during the war.

Visitors can also watch demonstrations of spinning wool, lace making, basket weaving and candle making 鈥� skills that were essential to everyday survival during the late 1700s.

鈥淥ne of the things people don鈥檛 always realize is how much work daily life required,鈥� Maza said. 鈥淵ou couldn鈥檛 just go to the store and buy things.鈥�

Historical interpreters portraying George Washington and John Hancock will speak about their roles in the Revolutionary War and the formation of the United States government. Guests also will be able to take photos with the reenactors during the event.

The VFW auxiliary plans to display historical American flags while discussing the meaning and evolution of each design. Organizers also will collect worn or damaged flags for proper retirement.

The 黑料福利社 Genealogical Society and DAR volunteers will help attendees explore possible Revolutionary War ancestry through genealogy searches and DAR historical records.

鈥淭here really is something for everybody here,鈥� Maza said. 鈥淪ome things are geared toward young kids, some toward teenagers and young adults, and some discussions are more adult-oriented.鈥�

Maza said she hopes the event encourages people to think more deeply about the freedoms and opportunities many Americans often take for granted.

The event also will highlight the often-overlooked contributions women made during the Revolutionary era, from running businesses and farms to producing supplies needed during wartime.

鈥淲omen sacrificed a tremendous amount,鈥� Maza said. 鈥淧eople think they just stayed home and tended the farm, but they were extremely active.鈥�

Community support helping make event possible

Though admission to the event is free, organizers are continuing to seek donations and community support to help cover costs including insurance, lodging and travel expenses for presenters and re-enactors traveling from across Washington.

Maza said many participants are volunteering their time because they believe in the mission of the event and the importance of sharing history with the public.

Organizers said donations of any size can help support the event and keep it free and accessible for families throughout the 黑料福利社. Contributions can be mailed to the Narcissa Whitman Chapter NSDAR, P.O. Box 8292, Yakima, WA 98908.

Additional information about the event and donation opportunities is available through the Narcissa Whitman Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution at .