America 250 in Johnson County!

Sheila Caldwell
1 day ago
3 min read

A Year of Heritage, Community & Discovery

As we approach the 250th anniversary of the United States, Johnson County is proud to celebrate in a way that reflects who we are—rich in history, strong in community, and rooted in tradition.

Throughout 2026, our America 250 Celebration will bring together a full calendar of events that honor our past while inviting residents and visitors alike to experience the spirit of our region.

At the heart of this celebration is a fun and interactive way to explore it all …

The America 250 Passport Project

The Johnson County America 250 Passport invites you to be part of the journey.

Pick up your passport, attend events across the county, and collect custom stamps along the way. Each stop offers a unique opportunity to experience Johnson County—from music and festivals to heritage and hometown traditions.

This fun initiative is designed to help you “celebrate 250 years of America right here in Johnson County—where history, heritage, and community come together.”

How it works:

Attend America 250 events from April through November
Look for designated passport stamp locations
Collect stamps at each event you visit
Enjoy the experience at your own pace

And beginning May 23, participants can also pick up a special:

America 250 Souvenir

Available one per person, one per passport, per event
Distributed while supplies last

Where to Get Your Passport

America 250 Passports will be available at designated events and venues. Grab one, hang on to it, and collect your custom stamps throughout the year. It all starts with the America 250 themed Shady Valley Festival of Quilts.

🧵 Shady Valley Festival of Quilts

📅 Friday, April 17 & Saturday, April 18

This is your first opportunity to:

✔ Pick up your passport

✔ Get your first stamp

✔ Start your America 250 journey

From there, you can continue collecting stamps at events and venues across Johnson County throughout the year.

A Year Full of Events

The passport highlights a wide variety of local events—many of which are free and support our community organizations and nonprofits.

From signature celebrations like:

The July 4th America 250 Celebration
Museum of Butler Homecoming
Mountain City Sunflower Festival
Old Butler Days
First Responders Ribfest
Mountain City Fiddlers’ Convention

…to festivals, concerts, and seasonal events, each stop offers a new way to connect with our heritage and community.

A Special Partnership with the Arts

As part of the celebration, Johnson County Tourism is proud to partner with the Johnson

County Center for the Arts on a special exhibit:

Liberty & Legacy Community Art Show

This exhibit invites local artists to reflect on the meaning of America’s 250th anniversary through original works.

Open to artists of all experience levels
Features locally created, original artwork
One selected piece will become part of a permanent public display at the Mosier Building (former armory) in Mountain City.

The exhibit opens on July 3rd at the Gallery on Main and will be a meaningful addition to this milestone year.

Celebrate With Us

Whether you’re a lifelong resident or visiting for the first time, the America 250 celebration is an invitation to:

Explore Johnson County
Support local events and nonprofits
Experience our history in a hands-on way
Create lasting memories along the journey

Stay Connected

Event details, updates, and additional opportunities will be shared throughout the year.

👉 Visit: VisitMountainCityTN.com

👉 Follow us on Facebook & Instagram

Project Acknowledgment

The Johnson County America 250 Passport Project and related programming, including our participation in the Liberty & Legacy Community Art Show, are made possible through grant funding support.

This project is funded under an agreement with the State of Tennessee administered by the Tennessee Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial.