As America prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, many communities are hosting special events and activities to commemorate the occasion. Here are a few within about a 50-mile radius that you may be interested in checking out.

The Phelps Family will host their annual fireworks display in the Village of Callaway on July 4 at the ballfield. Prior to the display, the Callaway American Legion Post will conduct a flag retirement ceremony at the ballfield at 8 p.m. There will also be youth ball games at the field that evening. From 7:30-9:30 p.m. there will be a photo opportunity with Presidents George Washington and Abe Lincoln. The Callaway Market and the American Legion Auxiliary will be serving complimentary ice cream sundaes with a variety of toppings. **Patriotic music throughout the night and during the display **Patriotic gifts for the kids **Posting of the Colors with the display beginning at dusk which is about 9:30 p.m.

- American Legion Post 250 and Auxiliary will host a 250 Years of Independence Celebration in the Village of Oconto on July 4. The fun includes a cornhole tournament at 9 a.m., a parade at 11 a.m., lunch at noon, critter races at 1 p.m., and races, egg toss and balloon toss at 2 p.m.

- The City of Lexington will host a fireworks show on Wednesday, July 1, at Veterans Memorial Pavilion. Food trucks will be open from 7-10 p.m. Live music will be provided by The Innocence from 7:30-9:30 p.m., and the fireworks - provided by the City of Lexington and Shotkoski Fireworks - will begin at 10 p.m.

- Johnson Lake, Lexington, “Light Up The Lake” fireworks show begins at 10 p.m. on Friday, July 3, at the south end of the lake. The annual boat parade will be held on the lake on July 4, beginning at 10 a.m. The night of the 4th will include another fireworks display in Lakeview Acres Bay, right in front of Price’s Rentals.

- Gothenburg Community Choir will present a musical celebration for America’s 250th birthday on Friday, July 3, at 5 p.m. at American Lutheran Church, 1512 Ave. G. The audience will also participate in the singing.

- The City of Gothenburg will host its annual Pony Express Rodeo July 3 and 4 at the rodeo grounds at 7:30 p.m. each night. Following the performance on the 4th, the Gothenburg Volunteer Fire Department will put on a spectacular fireworks display at Lake Helen at 10 p.m.

- The Broken Bow Volunteer Fire Department will put on a wonderful fireworks show at Melham Lake on July 4 at dark. Bring the family and your lawn chairs.

Along with all of these activities, the 4th of July weekend would also be an excellent time to visit some of the sites that give us a glimpse into the past.

The Seven Valleys Museum in Callaway offers wonderful displays as well as Native American artifacts. The Custer County Historical Museum in Broken Bow features a visual step back in time through a remarkable display of the work of Solomon Butcher, who captured some of the area’s first settlers in photographs. The Sod House Museum in Gothenburg has had recent renovations and expansions to its displays and features a great look at life on the prairie.