MIFFLINTOWN — It might seem like it’s far away, but Jessica Eaton Guyer knows the countdown is on for America to celebrate its 250th, or Semiquincentennial, anniversary of its founding.

The clock is ticking and Guyer knows July 4, 2026, will be here before she knows it. That’s why Juniata County’s representative for America250PA and others involved with the initiative have been getting the word as much as they can about the upcoming celebration.

America250PA aims to engage citizens from all 67 counties in Pennsylvania by bringing the Commonwealth’s history into the conversation.

This initiative helps people across the Commonwealth understand the origins and diverse perspectives of current issues, inspires future leaders, and celebrates local contributions to both state and national history. By fostering an appreciation for past triumphs and challenges, America250PA hopes to leave a lasting impact on the next generation and inspire the future.

On March 28, America250Pa and the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Women hosted a Women’s History Month Panel titled, “250 Years Strong: How PA Women are Shaping America’s 2026 Celebrations” at the State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg.

The event celebrated women leaders from across the Commonwealth who are helping shape major milestones and events in 2026, including America’s 250th anniversary, the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh and the FIFA World Cup matches in Philadelphia.

Guyer was invited to serve on the panel, and was joined by Cassandra Coleman, executive director of America250PA; Ashley N. Walkowiak, executive director at Governor’s Advisory Commission on Women; Meg Kane, Host City Executive and CEO, Philadelphia Soccer 2026; Kathryn Ott Lovell, president and CEO, Philadelphia Visitor Center Corp. and Philadelphia250; and Sabrina Saunders Mosby, president and CEO, Vibrant Pittsburgh.

“Since many of those events are in major cities, I was asked to join the panel as a voice for rural Pennsylvania,” Guyer said. “The panel went really well; it was a great dialogue, sprinkled with humor, including many inspirational aspects as well as providing thought points on the future. I was really honored to represent rural Pennsylvania.

“We hope to really tap into what connects us,” Guyer added. “Rural Pennsylvanians have each other’s backs in both tragedy and good times. We may not have the money, but we’re nothing if not resourceful in helping each other. And we plan to celebrate that long standing tradition in 2026 by bringing people together to learn their shared history.”

In Juniata County, their America250PA theme is “Discover Your Origin Story.” Guyer said that can be an invitation to everyone as a community or as individuals to connect to their roots.

“These small town community celebrations are going to perhaps be more accessible than traveling into a major city and fighting traffic and crowds,” Guyer said. “Philadelphia is going to be the place to be. But realistically many Pennsylvanians won’t have the ability to travel there. So this way, it brings the celebration right to the people in their own communities.”

Last Tuesday, Guyer and other volunteers visited Juniata Elementary School in Mifflintown to get students into the Semiquincentennial spirit.

Afterwards, Guyer and the group of volunteers called their visit an “epic morning” for the America250PA Keystone Classroom Initiative. Students in kindergarten through second grade each had special readers and visitors in their classrooms. Third- through fifth-grade students enjoyed an assembly with an historical actor playing Betsy Ross.

“It was such a fun and joyous event,” Guyer said. “The kids were engaged and excited and asked some great questions!”

“One second-grader poignantly asked, ‘Why did the Native Americans have to move?'” Guyer added. “We were all volunteer readers in the K through (grade) two classrooms. After we read a book called, ‘K is for Keystone,’ the mascot and queens stopped by for photos with the kiddos. Grades three thru five got the fun and interactive assembly with Betsy Ross.”

Joining Guyer and the volunteers were four Pennsylvania queens as well as Mrs. Pennsylvania Ashley Deihl Stremme, Mifflintown Mayor Roxann McGinnis, members of the Juniata County Historical Society, Juniata County School District Superintendent of Schools Christie Holderman; Sen. Judy Ward; and the Keystone Kid, America250PA’s mascot.

“The kids were so engaged, having fun and asking great questions,” Guyer said. “It’s safe to say these kids are all excited and ready to celebrate America’s 250th birthday next year.”

For more information, find America250PA — Juniata County on Facebook.