Baldwin County Commission and the City of Daphne held an America 250 celebration at the Daphne Civic Center on Friday, June 26.

Billie Jo Underwood, District 3 commissioner for the commission, said they have been discussing holding a celebration for about a year. The commission invited fifth-grade students from across the county to participate in an America 250 Poster Contest. The contest’s theme, “What Freedom Means to Me,” asked students to creatively express their understanding of freedom, civic values and the principles that define the United States.

The celebration included vendors, face painting, balloon animals and giveaways, along with a special performance by the Alabama Army National Guard Band, which reflected on America’s rich musical culture by playing a series of songs from across the country’s history, ranging from the national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner,” to doo wop and rhythm and blues.

Reflecting on America’s 250 years as a country, Daphne Mayor Robin LeJeune said its young history includes both extraordinary achievements and failures, but America’s strength comes from its people through their resilience, innovation, generosity and commitment to one another.

“We celebrate our cities and our towns, our families, our churches, our schools and all those things that helped shape this great nation and celebrate the freedoms that we all cherish: freedom of speech, freedom of religion and the opportunity to pursue the American dream, that great American dream,” LeJeune said. “In 1776, the Declaration of Independence proclaimed that all people are created equal and are endowed with the unalienable rights given to us by our creators.”