The City of Chandler will begin commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in January 2026. The celebration, titled Chandler’s Celebration of America, will include themed events throughout the year.
A key part of the celebration is a citywide display called “27 Flags: Our History Through the Stars and Stripes.” This exhibit will show how the American flag has changed over time, with historical facts curated by the Chandler Museum team for each flag. The flags will first be displayed together at the Chandler Multicultural Festival on January 17 at Dr. A.J. Chandler Park, a central community gathering spot surrounded by shops and historic sites as described on its official history page. They will then appear at the State of the City event on February 12 at Chandler Center for the Arts. Starting February 13, residents can see them at various locations around Chandler such as libraries, recreation centers, Vision Gallery and Chandler Museum.
To encourage participation in learning about American history and attending events, Visit Chandler is launching a Red, White, & Blue Pass. This free digital pass allows community members to check in using QR codes during activities and events throughout the year to accumulate points and redeem prizes.
The celebration includes several events related to America’s semiquincentennial. The first event is the 250 Laps/25 Mile Run Challenge in January where residents can either complete 250 laps around Tumbleweed Recreation Center’s indoor track or run/walk 25 miles around Tumbleweed Park. Tracker cards for this challenge will be available starting in January at the recreation center. Another event is Patriotic Pickleball on February 13 at Tumbleweed Park Pickleball Facility; participants are invited to wear red, white and blue attire for a rally. In addition, Chandler Aquatics plans quarterly Lap Swim Challenges where swimmers can set their own goals: swimming 250 laps, minutes or miles.
Additional Celebration of America events are expected to be announced during the year.
Chandler has a tradition of hosting family festivals and public events that draw visitors and strengthen its role as a community hub (source). As outlined in its mission statement (source), it aims to provide quality public services while fostering an engaged community.
For more information or to sign up for the Red, White & Blue Pass visit America 250.
