Planning for the City of South San Francisco’s
Celebration of the United States Semiquincentennial:
America 250
March 11, 2026 City Council Meeting
Tonight’s Request
2 Staff is requesting Council’s direction on:
• Proposed America 250 work plan
• Guidance on level of effort by staff
• Budget
Overview
3 • July 4, 2026 is the United States’ Semiquincentennial, the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence
• Planning for a citywide year-long celebration
• Year-long programming by the Library, Parks & Recreation, Police, and Fire
• Marquee July 4th celebration
• Signage
• Communications
• Branded giveaways
Month-by-Month Programming
4 Snapshot of programs:
• Film Screenings, such Hamilton, The Inquisitor,
and The Librarians
• The American Revolution Experience Traveling Exhibit
• America 250 Trivia Night
• Patriotic Pet Costume
• Red, White, and Blue Summer Camp Week
• And more
July 4th Celebration
5 Three proposed options:
• Parade around City Hall and picnic celebration on Grand Avenue
• Parade from City Hall to Orange Memorial Park and picnic celebration at Orange Memorial Park
• Picnic celebration at Orange Memorial Park
Signage & Communication
6 Snapshot of options:
• Painting Sign Hill letters red, white, and blue
• City Hall banner, bunting, and uplighting
• BigBelly trashcan posters
• Electronic billboard messaging
• Banners on sign poles around the city
Staff’s Recommendation
7 Cost Components
$41,000 - $51,000 4
th of July parade and community picnic around City Hall $15,000 Commemorative branded giveaways
(approximately $5/each for 3,000 items)
$4,000 plus labor
costs
Sign Hill letters painted red, white, and blue
$1,400 BigBelly trashcan posters citywide
$500 City Hall banner and bunting
No net new cost • Uplighting City Hall around the 4th of July • Incorporating America 250 messaging into existing communications (social media, multiple electronic billboards, etc.)
• Incorporating America 250 celebrations as part of existing departmental programs
Total: Approximately $72,000
Funding Option
8 • Depending on the final estimated cost, funding for the celebration could be obtained from projected savings
in the City Manager Office’s salary budget.
Tonight’s Request
9 Staff is requesting Council’s direction on:
• Proposed America 250 work plan
• Guidance on level of effort by staff
• Budget
Planning for the City of South San Francisco’s Celebration of the United States Semiquincentennial: America 250
Thank You