Event to run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
On Saturday, July 11, the Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources Department will host a free America 250 celebration at Selby Library in downtown Sarasota, the staff has announced.
The event “will commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary with live music, presentations by Florida author Doug Alderson, and family-friendly activities throughout the day,” a news release says.
The celebration, which will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., also will feature an exhibit on Sarasota and U.S. history, a community art project, cultural displays, interactive activities and free refreshments, the release adds. The full event schedule is available online.
At 2 p.m., Alderson will present Iconic Images of Florida, “a pictorial journey through Old Florida,” the release notes. Then, at 3:30 p.m., the author will present Florida Dance, a collection of Florida stories relating to the period from 1968 to 2024, the release says.
The celebration will be part of the library system’s America 250 initiative, “a systemwide effort offering arts, history, and cultural programs for all ages,” the release points out.
“America’s 250th anniversary is an opportunity to reflect on the people, events, and ideas that shaped our nation,” said Renée Di Pilato, director of Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources, in the release. “We’re excited to bring the community together to explore history, share perspectives, and celebrate the stories that connect us,” she added in the release.
The department also is partnering with Florida Humanities on the Florida Reflections series, part of the national “By the People: Conversations Beyond 250” initiative, the release points out. “The series explores Florida’s role in the American experience through history, civic engagement, and cultural understanding,” the release adds.
All programs are free and open to the public, the release says. For more information, visit the event page or call 311 or 941-861-5000.