This summer, Berea, in collaboration with the cities of Brook Park and Middleburg Heights, will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence with a series of events called America 250 Tri City.
Each city will not only celebrate the founding of the country, but also what makes each hometown unique.
America 250 Tri City’s website displays a quote by Esha Kahn that says: “A hometown is a special place in many people’s hearts. More than just a geographical location, they are roots of identity, foundation of values, and canvases of many memories. However, every hometown is unique, as it shows the culture, history and community spirit behind it.”
Each of these cities will be leaning into their own unique identity. For Berea, it is being “The Grindstone Capital of the World.” For Middleburg Heights, it is being “The Onion Capital of the World.” For Brook Park, it is being the “Home of NASA Glenn Research Center.”
While each city will have its own celebrations, they all, along with every city across the country, will host a reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 8 at exactly 6 p.m. Locations of each reading will be announced closer to the date.
For its celebration, Berea will be hosting the Grindstone Festival at Coe Lake on July 4. There will be a parade at 11 a.m. followed by a celebration from noon until 10 p.m. at Coe Lake Park. The event will feature paddleboarding on Coe Lake, inflatables, live entertainment and a concluding fireworks ceremony over the lake.
Middleburg Heights will have its Summer in the City event lineup, and Brook Park will host Homedays over the weekend of July 10-12. Details about each event can be found on city websites.
A central focus of the America 250 Tri City celebration will be diving into each city’s history over the course of the summer through live speaker events. The website states: “WELCOME TO OUR SPEAKER SERIES! You were taught American history in school, but do you really know LOCAL history? This is your chance to learn about the people and places in our area.”
Two upcoming historical events in Berea are a discussion of Pearl Street Neighborhood at 7 p.m. on May 27, and a discussion of Early Berea Village Neighborhood at 7 p.m. on July 15. Both events will be held at the Berea Historical Society on 118 E. Bridge St.
The website states, “In 2026, America marks a historic milestone, the 250th year since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This once-in-a-generation anniversary kicks off a nationwide celebration, inviting all 50 states, along with cities across the country, to take part. Communities are encouraged to share their stories and spotlight the people, events, and businesses that have shaped our nation’s journey over the past two and a half centuries. Join us as we honor the past and inspire the future.”
For more information on each city’s celebrations and the complete list of historical speaker events, visit america250tricity.org.
