Attendees enjoying ndependence Weekend Family Celebration
For Michelle Zandome, the Independence Weekend Family Celebration is all about “Americanism and children and youth.”
Zandome, a Linglestown American Legion Post 272 trustee, is set to participate in the Lower Paxton Community Foundation’s weekend activities, which include a “Salute to the Flag Celebration” and a “Community Family Festival” on July 4.
Both events are scheduled to take place at Dauphin County Heroes Grove at Brightbill Park in Linglestown.
Of course, this year’s weekend celebration also highlights America’s 250th anniversary. Along with other related observances during the event, Scouts USA and Girl Scouts of the USA each have opportunity to earn an America250 badge.
“I was a kid in 1976 during America’s 200th anniversary. I really loved that celebration,” said John Hanks Jr., a Community Foundation and Independence Weekend committee member. “I love to pass that on to the kids today. It’s the passing of history.”
The celebration weekend sprouts from Linglestown’s 250th anniversary celebration and parade that took place in 2015. Planning for that two-day event began in 2013 with former foundation member Polly Murphy. By 2014, Hanks and Chris Lunden of Make It Happen Events joined the effort, which grew to include more than two dozen local volunteers.
In 2017, the same group took charge of Lower Paxton Township’s 250th anniversary celebration, which led to the formation of the Lower Paxton Community Foundation. The nonprofit organization is “dedicated to fostering a vibrant and connected community by supporting and organizing events, activities and projects” that enrich life in the township, according to the foundation’s website.
In 2019, the foundation launched its annual Christkindlmarkt featuring dozens of vendors around Lingletown’s main square. Meanwhile, this year marks the foundation’s fifth annual Independence Weekend Family Celebration.
This year’s “Salute to the Flag” celebration, on July 4, offers live entertainment by the Enlisted Band, Matthew Dodd Songs & Stories and a reading of the Declaration of Independence by “John Harris, Jr.,” portrayed by Rev. David Biser of the Dauphin County Historical Society.
The event concludes with a ceremony featuring U.S. veterans from each service branch, emergency responders, Girl Scouts and Scouts USA. This year’s “Polly Murphy Spirit of Volunteerism Award” recipients will be announced during the ceremony. The award is given to individuals determined as making “a significant impact” on the quality of life for the Lower Paxton community.
The Community Family Festival is sponsored by MacaroniKID Capital Region with live entertainment by Guitars for Vets of Lebanon, Imaginary Friends Puppet Theater, and a return appearance by Matthew Dodd with Songs and Stories of the Red, White & Blue.
A Kurtz Family Kids Zone midway offers free kids’ crafts and games, Balloon Animals by Steph, a kids’ selfie backdrop, and Whitaker Center’s WOW Van. An onsite “Touch a Truck” program allows children access to fire trucks and emergency vehicles from throughout the greater Harrisburg area.
A “Meet a Vet” event sponsored by American Legion Post 272 is Zandome’s favorite part of the weekend.
“I like getting the kids involved with this,” she said. “The vets will wear identifying stickers, and the kids will look around to get the vets to sign their paper. Prizes are awarded when kids complete and turn in their papers.”
Hanks, president and founder of Make It Happen Events, echoed this.
“We’re concentrating on young families and veterans from all different eras,” he said. “It’s important for children to see these people before they pass on.”
Finally, Hornung’s Ace Hardware sponsors a community picnic with food trucks at the event. Offerings include Tomasic’s Specialty Sausage, Honolulu Hot Dog Co., Chef Tony’s Mobile Bistro, Erdman’s Pies and Fries and Kona Ice Truck.
“All of this is free, except for the food trucks,” Hanks said. “It’s really a great way to celebrate America in a fun, family friendly way.”
The Lower Paxton Community Foundation’s 2026 Independence Weekend Family Celebration takes place July 4 at Dauphin County Heroes Grove at Brightbill Park in Linglestown. For more information, visit www.lopaxfoundation.com.
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