Steven Allen Adams 'BANNER' YEAR –Banners celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence began going up Tuesday around the State Capitol Complex.

CHARLESTON – With the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America 45 days away, Gov. Patrick Morrisey on Tuesday announced some of the state’s plans to honor the nation.

There will be several events in the state’s capital the week of July 4 tied to America’s 250th, a national semiquincentennial celebration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

“I think we’re all fortunate to be here to celebrate America’s 250,” Morrisey said. “Nearly 250 years ago, there were a ragtag bunch of people – farmers, lawyers, craftsmen, and other types of laborers – who got together, and they decided they were going to defy an empire.

“They didn’t want to live in the shadow of unjust laws and have taxation without representation,” he continued. “They stood up, and many people got together and put together the Declaration of Independence, voted for that, and struck that match for freedom. That spark that still burns to this very day.”

West Virginia has been working towards celebrating America’s 250th anniversary, with the Legislature creating the West Virginia Semiquincentennial Commission in 2021. U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., also serves on the United States Semiquincentennial Commission. The Department of Tourism has also been heavily involved.

“We have been planning this one for a very long time,” West Virginia Department of Tourism Secretary Chelsea Ruby said. “Our focus over the last year has been making sure that we’re creating something that’s truly memorable, that’s going to (leave) people talking about it for decades. And thanks to the governor, I think this America’s 250th celebration will do just that.”

Morrisey and Ruby announced the schedule for the 250th Capital City Celebration, taking place July 2-5 on the grounds of the State Capitol Complex in Charleston. All events will be free for the public and will also include food vendors and musical acts, though details on those aspects were not available Tuesday.

Events and exhibits on the Capitol grounds and the Culture Center will draw inspiration from past milestones, such as West Virginia’s 150th anniversary, aiming to foster camaraderie through music, fireworks and shared history. The Culture Center will feature several displays, including a “Founders Exhibit” – a recreation of the White House’s own exhibit, allowing visitors to encounter the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

An outdoor exhibit beside the Culture Center highlighting the role of coal, natural gas and other natural resources in West Virginia history is also expected to be completed nearly two years after ground was broken at the site. A steam locomotive and coal shuttle car are being delivered to the site later this week.

There will be a 3D light show projected directly onto the State Capitol Building during the evenings of July 2-5. Inspired by displays at the Washington Monument, the show will use light and sound to narrate the history of the state and nation.

The Capitol grounds will also play host to the America 250 Wheel, the world’s largest portable Ferris wheel. The wheel stands 230 feet tall and can accommodate approximately 1,600 people per hour. Passengers can see up to 14 miles from the top. At night, the wheel features a 256-color LED display, serving as a “beacon of liberty” for the Charleston skyline. There will be no charge for riding the Ferris wheel.

“We were eyeing this for a while because we wanted to do something truly special,” Morrisey said. “We’re really thrilled about this because we think this is going to be great for kids. … It’s all going to be free of charge, because we want to make sure that everyone, regardless of income, has a chance to participate in America’s 250th. I’m really thrilled about that.”

According to the Governor’s Office, the four-day event is expected to cost approximately $2 million, which will be paid for out of the Governor’s Civil Contingency Fund.

“When you’re doing something of this magnitude – whether you’re talking about the fireworks, whether you’re talking about the Ferris wheel, that does cost something,” Morrisey said. “But I think it’s also really, really important to celebrate America’s 250th. This is so critical that everyone across West Virginia get a really wonderful education about our state’s founding and our country’s founding.”

Morrisey said the event will also work hand-in-hand with the annual Charleston Sternwheel Regatta taking place several blocks down Kanawha Boulevard East at Haddad Riverfront Park, also from July 2-5. The Regatta will feature performances by Wynona Judd and Melissa Etheridge, Bobby Brown and Montell Jordan, Bret Michaels and Lita Ford, and Tonic and Vertical Horizon.

The Regatta will also feature a fireworks extravaganza the night of July 4, taking place at Haddad Riverfront Park, Magic Island and the State Capitol Complex. Morrisey said a free shuttle is available to take attendees between the Capitol Grounds and the park.

Morrisey and state transportation officials unveiled a limited-edition “America’s 250” license plate that is now available through the Division of Motor Vehicles. The commemorative plates will be numbered and cannot be personalized. The total fee for the plates is $61.50, though prorated credit will be provided for returning existing plates.

“It is our hope that this license plate provides our residents a way to show their pride in being West Virginians and their heartfelt gratitude to the men and women who kept their country free,” said DMV Commissioner Everett Frazier.

In conjunction with West Virginia’s founding on June 20, Morrisey announced an America 250th Pageant to celebrate the talent and character of West Virginia’s youth scheduled for Friday, June 19. To encourage participation, the first 25 applications in each division are free. More information is available at WV250.com.

“We have a rich history in West Virginia through our fairs and festivals of having so many people participate in that,” Morrisey said. “Because this is a chance to really celebrate the talent, the poise, the character of our young people and people from all across West Virginia.”

While Charleston serves as the primary hub, the administration has emphasized that the celebration must extend to every corner of the state. To ensure no region is left behind, all 55 counties will receive celebration packages, including promotional materials and resources to host local events.

“I’m going to pledge whether you live in Martinsburg, Matewan, whether you’re going from Weirton to War, we’re going to try to get to a lot of these places over the next few months and let every one of our 55 counties know that you’re not going to be left behind,” Morrisey said. “You have an important voice in America’s 250th.”

Steven Allen Adams can be reached at sadams@newsandsentinel.com.