CHANDLER, Ariz. – In January, the City of Chandler will begin the celebration of the 250th anniversary, the semiquincentennial, of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Chandler’s Celebration of America will feature themed events throughout 2026.
One of the main components of the celebration will be a citywide display of “27 Flags: Our History Through the Stars and Stripes.” This display will represent the evolution of our nation’s flag, with historical facts curated by the Chandler Museum team to accompany each flag.
The flags will be displayed together for the first time at the Chandler Multicultural Festival on Jan. 17 in Dr. A.J. Chandler Park and then at the State of the City on Feb. 12 at Chandler Center for the Arts. Beginning on Feb. 13, the flags will be on view at 14 locations around Chandler, including libraries, recreation centers, Vision Gallery and Chandler Museum.
To encourage visits to learn about the flags and American history and participate in events, Visit Chandler is offering a Red, White, & Blue Pass. This free digital pass features activities, programs, exhibits and events for the community to participate in throughout the year, check-in using a QR code, accumulate points and redeem prizes.
There will be events related to the 250th anniversary all year long. The 250 Laps/25 Mile Run Challenge is the first event. In January, residents can run or walk 250 laps around the indoor track at Tumbleweed Recreation Center or run or walk 25 miles around Tumbleweed Park. Mile tracker cards will be available at the recreation center starting in January. Patriotic Pickleball, on Feb. 13, invites players to wear red, white and blue attire for a fun rally at the Tumbleweed Park Pickleball Facility. Chandler Aquatics will have a quarterly Lap Swim Challenge – Swim 250, where swimmers can choose their own goal: 250 laps, 250 minutes or 250 miles.
More Celebration of America events will be added throughout the year.
For more information and to sign up for the Red, White, & Blue Pass, visit America 250.
Media contact:
Toni Smith
Marketing and Communications Manager
480-782-2701