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A Chronicle of Our Commemorations
Neighborhood Picnic
Neighbors along South 1st St. came together to celebrate Flag Day and the upcoming 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence with an old-fashioned Neighborhood Picnic.
We gathered on the front lawn of Barb City Manor to listen to live music from Jazz In Progress, eat lunch, enjoy cake, spend time with good company, and play old-fashioned lawn games.
People of all ages were invited to decorate themselves and anything with wheels before rolling around the Manor in our mini "Stars, Stripes, and Spokes" Parade. We played old-fashioned games with new friends, including an egg toss, three-legged race, and sack race. Volunteers served vanilla and chocolate cake to those in attendance. Big D's Hot Dogs was on-site for anyone who preferred purchasing lunch instead of packing a picnic. Yard games were available throughout the afternoon for everyone to enjoy at their leisure.
Families from the neighborhood, local pups, Barb City Manor residents and their family members, as well as Manor board members and staff, came together to enjoy a beautiful Sunday afternoon. It was wonderful to meet some of the faces from around the South 1st St. neighborhood. The event was free and open to everyone. This grassroots event was planned by local resident Anna Wilson, along with Barb City Manor staff members Sarah Davis and Anne Cheladyn. Thank you to everyone who attended and volunteered to help make the day a success.
We look forward to making this a neighborhood tradition.
We challenge others to consider hosting neighborhood block parties, picnics, or other gatherings to help build stronger connections and celebrate the sense of community that makes our neighborhoods special.
We gathered on the front lawn of Barb City Manor to listen to live music from Jazz In Progress, eat lunch, enjoy cake, spend time with good company, and play old-fashioned lawn games.
People of all ages were invited to decorate themselves and anything with wheels before rolling around the Manor in our mini "Stars, Stripes, and Spokes" Parade. We played old-fashioned games with new friends, including an egg toss, three-legged race, and sack race. Volunteers served vanilla and chocolate cake to those in attendance. Big D's Hot Dogs was on-site for anyone who preferred purchasing lunch instead of packing a picnic. Yard games were available throughout the afternoon for everyone to enjoy at their leisure.
Families from the neighborhood, local pups, Barb City Manor residents and their family members, as well as Manor board members and staff, came together to enjoy a beautiful Sunday afternoon. It was wonderful to meet some of the faces from around the South 1st St. neighborhood. The event was free and open to everyone. This grassroots event was planned by local resident Anna Wilson, along with Barb City Manor staff members Sarah Davis and Anne Cheladyn. Thank you to everyone who attended and volunteered to help make the day a success.
We look forward to making this a neighborhood tradition.
We challenge others to consider hosting neighborhood block parties, picnics, or other gatherings to help build stronger connections and celebrate the sense of community that makes our neighborhoods special.
Downtown DeKalb
Van Buer Plaza is ringed with red, white, and blue twinkling lights strung by the Public Works streets Division.
Downtown DeKalb
Red, white and blue lights illuminate the trees lining Locust Street, DeKalb's honorary Veterans Way.
Food Drive
Oak Crest – DeKalb Area Retirement Center hosted a food drive in honor of America 250. The goal was to collect 250 items, and residents ended up collecting 450 items. The items were donated to Feed My Sheep Food Pantry in DeKalb.
Mini Alzheimer's Walk
The second annual Mini Alzheimer's Walk hosted by Oak Crest – DeKalb Area Retirement Center was dedicated to celebrating America 250 DeKalb.
Remake the World
The Remake the World Veterans Center in the Junction Shopping Center offered a luncheon to the community on Memorial Day.
Field of Poppies
A field of poppies was created at the Remaking the World Veterans Center on Memorial Day.
DeKalb Fire
America 250 DeKalb logos appear on our fire engines, America 250 flags are flying outside the fire stations, and their trucks have always proudly been a patriotic red!
Stars & Stripes Bikes, Boards & Blades
Kids and their families decorated their bikes in red, white and blue for this event on May 23 in Rotary Park. DeKalb Rotary, DeKalb Public Library and DeKalb Park District partnered for the event. Mayor Cohen Barnes also read a patriotic story. View more photos at dekalbrotary.org/gallery.
DeKalb Public Transit
America 250 DeKalb spirit winds its way through the community courtesy of this DeKalb Public Transit bus. A smaller bus and a transit van also display the red, white & blue theme.
Independence Day Run
The DeKalb Park District is encouraging runners to start America's birthday of on the right foot by joining the annual Independence Day morning run, and the America 250 DeKalb logo is part of the t-shirt design. Don't forget the register for the race: runsignup.com/Race/IL/Dekalb/IndependenceDay5k10k
Memorial Day Parade
NIU alumni and a retired professor are part of the City of Rockford Pipe Band, which was one of the new entries in the Memorial Day parade. The America 250 DeKalb committee successfully expanded the parade to make it a stronger salute to veterans and military service members who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Downtown DeKalb
Early in the morning on the Friday of Memorial Day weekend, DeKalb Public Works lined Lincoln Highway with American flags from First through Seventh Street.
These flags are part of the downtown America 250 DeKalb pieces, saluting our country and our veterans. The City also added:
• Red, white, and blue flowers downtown,
• Red, white, and blue hanging flower baskets on light poles,
• New American flag lamppost banners along downtown streets,
• Patriotic bunting, and
• Red, white, and blue lights in the Van Buer Plaza trees and along Locust Street, DeKalb’s Honorary Veterans Way.
Public Works was also honored to hang the DeKalb American Legion’s renewed Hometown Hero banners. Congratulations to the Legion on this successful program honoring DeKalb’s heroes!
These flags are part of the downtown America 250 DeKalb pieces, saluting our country and our veterans. The City also added:
• Red, white, and blue flowers downtown,
• Red, white, and blue hanging flower baskets on light poles,
• New American flag lamppost banners along downtown streets,
• Patriotic bunting, and
• Red, white, and blue lights in the Van Buer Plaza trees and along Locust Street, DeKalb’s Honorary Veterans Way.
Public Works was also honored to hang the DeKalb American Legion’s renewed Hometown Hero banners. Congratulations to the Legion on this successful program honoring DeKalb’s heroes!
DeKalb Police
Chief David Byrd and other sworn officers are wearing commemorative America 250 badges this year.
Chamber Local Showcase
The local America250 celebration kicked off at the Local Showcase on April 23 hosted by the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce at the NIU Convocation Center. This meaningful moment featured a presentation of the colors by the DeKalb American Legion Color Guard, followed by Diana Johnson’s performance of the National Anthem and a God Bless America sing-a-long.
Kickoff Tree Planting
Volunteers planted 16 trees on April 21 to kick off DeKalb Township's 250 Trees for Tomorrow campaign. After being planted in their new home at Elder Care Services, the trees were named: Liberty, Fred, Barbara, Felipe, Princess Bell, Rosie, Harry, Lincoln, Junie, Jessica Elizabeth, Maryland, June, Snowbird, DeKalb, Jean & Alayna.
Volunteer Fair
America 250 DeKalb spirit was on display at the Volunteer Fair held by the DeKalb Leadership Academy at the Egyptian Theatre in April. Safe Passage was one of the groups that showed they're proudly patriotic.
Artemis II
Just as we’re commemorating America’s founding here in DeKalb, the crew of Artemis II did the same during their journey around the moon and back. An America250 flag was proudly displayed in their capsule. We salute these heroes for their courage to pursue new frontiers!
GI Jams
The Liberty 250 Theater, located within the Culture Event Space of the RTW Veteran Center, came alive with the sounds of live jazz and community collaboration on April 2.
The evening marked the official launch of GI Jams, a dynamic music initiative created by Professor Roosevelt Griffin III, Professor of Jazz at Northern Illinois University (NIU). Originally developed through the Griffin Institute for Performing Arts in the southern suburbs of Chicago, GI Jams is designed to give young musicians the opportunity to perform alongside more advanced students and professional artists in a live setting.
The opening session featured talented musicians from NIU as well as local high schools, including DeKalb and Sycamore, creating a vibrant and inspiring atmosphere for performers and attendees alike.
GI Jams sessions are free and open to the public, and the community is encouraged to attend and support these rising artists. The next session will take place on Thursday, April 9, 2026, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
📍 Location:
RTW Veteran Center
854 West Lincoln Highway (Junction Plaza, next to the Cotton Club)
DeKalb, Illinois 60115
The Liberty 250 Theater was made possible through the dedication of volunteers and the generosity of donors who contributed their time, skills, and financial support over the past several months. Their collective effort continues to bring impactful cultural programming to DeKalb County.
The RTW Veteran Center is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, committed to serving veterans, their families, and the broader community through education, culture, and empowerment initiatives. For more information, please call 815-517-1094 or visit the center during operating hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The evening marked the official launch of GI Jams, a dynamic music initiative created by Professor Roosevelt Griffin III, Professor of Jazz at Northern Illinois University (NIU). Originally developed through the Griffin Institute for Performing Arts in the southern suburbs of Chicago, GI Jams is designed to give young musicians the opportunity to perform alongside more advanced students and professional artists in a live setting.
The opening session featured talented musicians from NIU as well as local high schools, including DeKalb and Sycamore, creating a vibrant and inspiring atmosphere for performers and attendees alike.
GI Jams sessions are free and open to the public, and the community is encouraged to attend and support these rising artists. The next session will take place on Thursday, April 9, 2026, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
📍 Location:
RTW Veteran Center
854 West Lincoln Highway (Junction Plaza, next to the Cotton Club)
DeKalb, Illinois 60115
The Liberty 250 Theater was made possible through the dedication of volunteers and the generosity of donors who contributed their time, skills, and financial support over the past several months. Their collective effort continues to bring impactful cultural programming to DeKalb County.
The RTW Veteran Center is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, committed to serving veterans, their families, and the broader community through education, culture, and empowerment initiatives. For more information, please call 815-517-1094 or visit the center during operating hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 2 p.m.
DeKalb Police
DeKalb Police are showing off their American pride. Squad cars have been outfitted with the America 250 DeKalb logo and flag.
DeKalb Public Transit
DeKalb Public Transit is encouraging the community to join the America 250 DeKalb celebration. Signs for the local initiative will appear on the sides of DeKalb buses throughout 2026.
Business Directory & Area Guide
The DeKalb Chamber of Commerce is celebrating America's founding, making "From Independence to Innovation" the theme of this year's Business Directory and Visitors Guide. The annual publication includes a beautiful layout on America 250 DeKalb.
Pinewood Derby
Patriotism - America 250 was the theme of Cub Scout Pack 131's Pinewood Derby on March 15. Several cars were decorated to represent American pride.
Pinewood Derby
Patriotism - America 250 was the theme of Cub Scout Pack 131's Pinewood Derby on March 15. Several cars were decorated to represent American pride.
Pinewood Derby
Several members of Cub Scout Pack 131 decorated their cars to represent American pride for their annual Pinewood Derby on March 15. The Scouts would break out in a chant of USA! whenever a patriotic themed car would race.
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