America 250 Celebration at Cotesworth – Full Schedule Announced!
Shirley Rush, Regent of the Third Arrow Chapter (Carrollton); Christie Genova, Regent of the Grenada Chapter (Grenada); Norma Biggers, Regent of the Thomas Rodney Chapter (Winona); Melanie Bowman, Regent of the Chakchiuma Chapter (Greenwood)
We are just weeks away from the America 250 Celebration at Cotesworth Cultural and Heritage Center, and we are thrilled to share the full schedule of events!
Join the Chakchiuma Chapter NSDAR and our partner chapters on Saturday, April 25, 2026, for a free, family‑friendly festival honoring the 250th anniversary of American independence. The fun runs from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at historic Cotesworth in Carrollton, Mississippi.
Opening Ceremony – 10:00 AM
Master of Ceremonies Kenny Downs will guide us through a patriotic opening, including:
Welcome by Melanie Bowman, Regent of Chakchiuma Chapter
SAR Color Guard
Invocation by DAR State Chaplain Beth Duncan (presented by Norma Biggers)
Pledge of Allegiance led by Shirley Rush
National Anthem performed by The Singing Vets
Greetings from Senator Lydia Chassaniol
Remarks from sponsors and chapter leaders
Entertainment & Presentations
10:45 AM — Betty Aden – Patriotic dance
11:00 AM — Isaac Dallas – "Paul Revere"
11:15 AM — Ethan Samsel – Colonial dancing and teaching
11:40 AM — The Singing Disciples (Dolinda Malone) – Gospel & patriotic songs
11:50 AM — Belinda Duke – Patriotic painting in song
12:00 PM — Barry Blakney (bagpiper) and Judith Brown (piccolo)
12:30 PM — Dennie Spence – Storytelling ("Mr. Carroll")
1:00 PM — Ethan Samsel – Colonial dancing
1:30 PM — Belinda Duke – Patriotic paint and sing
1:45 PM — Sean Dunlap – "Thomas Jefferson"
2:00 PM — The Singing Disciples / The Singing Vets
2:30 PM — Mr. Rush – "Patrick Henry"
2:45 PM — Closing words – Christie Genova (with thanks to the Boy Scouts)
Guest Author: Alex Gillespie, author of Echoes of Kings Mountain (available at Turnrow Books and Amazon).
Living History Demonstrations
Watch skilled artisans demonstrate traditional crafts throughout the day:
Spinning – Brenda (Mike) of Vicksburg / Chimneyville & Sarah Paris
Weaving – Donna
Caning – Barry Blakney
Quilting, Crochet, Embroidery – Jan Kirkham
Blacksmith – Steve Thompson
Chicken Scratch – Snooky Lee
Local children dressed in Colonial-style costumes will attend the event.
Other Activities
🎨 Children’s games – Hands‑on fun for young patriots
🚚 Local food trucks – Delicious options for purchase
📜 Free Pocket Constitutions – First 200 guests receive a copy
Shuttle from Greenwood
Need a ride? A $20 round‑trip shuttle will run from Greenwood to Cotesworth. Space is limited – contact a Chakchiuma Chapter officer to reserve your seat.
Plan Your Visit
Admission: FREE
Parking: FREE on‑site
What to bring: Lawn chairs or blankets, sun protection, cash/cards for food trucks
Location: Cotesworth Cultural and Heritage Center, Carrollton, MS
Thank You to Our Partners
This official America250 project is made possible by:
Presented by: Chakchiuma Chapter NSDAR (Greenwood)
In partnership with: Third Arrow Chapter (Carrollton), Thomas Rodney Chapter (Winona), Grenada Chapter (Grenada)
With support from: The Sons of the American Revolution (SAR)
And made possible by a grant from the Mississippi Humanities Council, through support from the State of Mississippi.
We can’t wait to see you at Cotesworth on April 25! Bring your family, bring your friends, and celebrate 250 years of American freedom. 🇺🇸
For more information, visit our America 250 page or contact us through our online form.
