Redding Celebrates America 250
Join us for a day of patriotic music celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States at Joel Barlow High School.
May 30, 2026 • Joel Barlow High School
Join us for a day of patriotic music celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States at Joel Barlow High School.
May 30, 2026 • Joel Barlow High School
Redding Celebrates America 250 is a special community event honoring the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.
The event will feature readings from the Declaration of Independence and a concert of patriotic music performed by the Greater Bridgeport Symphony, including works by Redding’s own Charles Ives, along with popular American music performed in collaboration with students from Joel Barlow High School.
Taking place at Joel Barlow High School, this public concert blends music, history, and community in a local celebration of a national milestone.
In addition to our May 30 concert, our committee is partnering with local organizations on events that explore Redding’s Revolutionary-era history and build excitement for America’s 250th anniversary.
Redding Community Hiking Club • Free Program
Saturday, April 11 • 11:00 am
Join the Redding Community Hiking Club and Redding Celebrates America 250 for a special history hike at Putnam Memorial State Park.
Redding’s Co-Historians Brent Colley and Bruce Nelson will discuss Redding’s role during the American Revolution, followed by a guided hike through the park led by Ellery Leary, the park’s historian.
This approximately 90-minute hike is rated easy to moderate. Advance registration is required, parking details will be shared with registered participants.
Fundraiser Event • Ticket Required
Thursday, April 23 • 7:00 pm
Join us at Greenwood Features in Bethel for cocktails, conversation, and a screening of the Academy Award-winning film Glory (1989).
The film tells the heroic true story of the Massachusetts 54th Regiment, whose courage inspired the first movement of Charles Ives’s Three Places in New England.
Tickets are $30 and include a cocktail hour and movie screening, and refreshments. All proceeds benefit the May 30th Redding 250 Concert featuring the Greater Bridgeport Symphony and student performers from Joel Barlow High School.
Mark Twain Library • Free Program
Thursday, April 30 • 7:00 pm
Continue the exploration of Charles Ives and his musical legacy in this upcoming library program, presented as part of the community’s America 250 observance.
This event will expand on the earlier Charles Ives program and further connect Ives’s life, music, and ties to Redding with the themes of the May 30th celebration.
Additional details and registration information will be posted soon.
Joel Barlow High School • Main Event
Saturday, May 30 • 7:00 pm
Join us for our community celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, featuring the Greater Bridgeport Symphony, music by Charles Ives, patriotic selections, and student performers from Joel Barlow High School.
This special event brings together music, history, and community in a local celebration of a national milestone.
Concert ticket information is coming soon. In the meantime, donations directly support this event and help make the performance possible.
Become a donor or sponsor and help bring the Greater Bridgeport Symphony to Redding for this historic community event.
Your generous support helps make this event possible and creates an unforgettable experience for performers, students, and the community. Every contribution, large or small, makes a meaningful difference.
All donors will be gratefully acknowledged in the official event program. Higher levels of support include special benefits such as VIP seating and access to a private after-party.
All donations are warmly welcomed and directly support the success of this community event.
The Greater Bridgeport Symphony is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Contributions may be tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Thank you for supporting Redding Celebrates America 250. For more information, contact sean@reddingnursery.com.
As featured in the Redding Sentinel.