HUNTINGDON — According to Lonnie Smith Jr., Huntingdon County’s America250PA adviser, Huntingdon County has a list of events celebrating America’s semiquincentennial all year long.

The full list of events can be found at www.raystown.org/america250, Smith said, noting events can also be found on the county’s Facebook and Instagram pages, which are both named America250PA-Huntingdon County.

According to the Rays­town website, Huntingdon County kicked off its celebration by planting a Liberty Tree at Riverside Park in October 2025. The tree was part of a statewide initiative to plant a Liberty Tree in all 67 of Pennsylvania’s counties.

Huntingdon County’s Liberty Bell will be on display from July 1-9 at the Huntingdon County Historical Society Gallery, 379 Allegheny St., Huntingdon; from July 9-11 at the Huntingdon Area High School, 2400 Cassidy Ave., Huntingdon; from July 12-20 at the Swigart Antique Auto Museum, 12031 William Penn Highway, Huntingdon; from July 20 to Aug. 8 at the East Broad Top Railroad, 421 Meadow St., Rockhill; and from Aug. 9-15 at the Huntingdon County Fair, 522 North Fairgrounds Road, Huntingdon.

Smith said one of the county’s biggest events was the Huntingdon County History Day, which took place June 13 at Riverside Park in Smithville Township. Representatives from several historical societies, local museums and some local authors were among those in attendance, he said.

Big Boy

Upcoming events listed on the website include the arrival of Union Pacific’s Big Boy, which will roll through the Raystown Lake region on Wednesday, July 8.

The largest operational steam locomotive in the world is scheduled to traverse the historic Stone Arch Trestle over the Juniate River and Division/Jefferson Street bridges in Mount Union about 2 p.m.

About 2:08 p.m., it will pass through Mapleton’s main street near the post office, according to the website, which states the train doesn’t stop in Huntingdon and will be traveling at about 30 miles per hour.

It’s estimated the train will pass through Mill Creek about 2:16 p.m.; the Route 22 corridor sometime between 2:17 and 2:21 p.m.; Huntingdon Borough at about 2:25 p.m. and enter the Spruce Creek Tunnel about 2:48 p.m.

Other events listed on the website include a July 4 celebration at the East Broad Top Railroad, featuring special excursions, rare equipment operations, food trucks, activities for families and railfans alike and fireworks.

At about 1 p.m., also on July 4, there will be a molding and sand casting event at Trough Creek State Park, though space is limited and requires pre-registration. The event’s meeting location will be Paradise Furnace, Trough Creek State Park, 16362 Little Valley Road.

Active challenge

The Huntingdon County active transportation committee and the Huntingdon County Visitors Bureau are also seeking participants for their active challenge, according to the website.

People have been encouraged to complete

250 units of a chosen activity throughout the year, designed to showcase the region’s unique landscapes and amenities. The 250-unit goal is a direct nod to the 250th anniversary.

Participants have been encouraged to track their progress using their favorite fitness or exercise app and share their progress with officials using the #America250ActiveChallenge hashtag.

In an effort to promote a healthier Pennsylvania, America250PA is also encouraging people to live a more active lifestyle by walking, running, biking or wheeling their way through 2026.

Participants can chart their own course, at their own pace, and submit their times to track progress, the website states.

To learn more about this initiative and/or to register, visit www.america250pa.org//PPE:_Road_to_2026.

Mirror Staff Writer Matt Churella is at 814-946-7520.