Join Oswego in Honoring 250 Years of Independence

In 2026, the United States will mark a historic milestone—250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. As part of this nationwide commemoration, the Village of Oswego is proud to participate in the America 250 celebration. 

This once-in-a-generation event is more than a celebration of the past—it's an opportunity to reflect on our shared history, uplift untold stories, and imagine the future we want to build together.

What to Expect

Over the coming months, Oswego will join communities across Illinois in planning inclusive and engaging events that highlight our town’s unique contributions to the American story. 

We invite residents of all ages, backgrounds, and experiences to take part in shaping this celebration. Whether you're a student, teacher, artist, veteran, or community leader—your voice matters.

Get Involved

Save the Date: Fourth of July Celebration 

 To get updates as more details are announced, follow us on Facebook and click “Interested” or “Going” in the Oswego250: Fourth of July Celebration Facebook event. 

Oswego250 Concrete Eagle Program 

As America prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, the Oswego250 Team is proud to coordinate the sale of handcrafted concrete eagles from Lion Concrete Statuary of Oswego, IL. These iconic pieces, which are built with enduring craftsmanship and unmistakable patriotic spirit, serve as timeless symbols of strength, freedom, and our nation’s heritage.

Whether displayed in public spaces, businesses, or private homes, each eagle stands as a tribute to America’s past and a bold statement for the future. Join us in commemorating this historic milestone with a monument that will last for generations.

If you are a business owner, please consider registering your Eagle for the Oswego250 scavenger hunt! This program hopes to bring families to your locations and boost your community interactions. 

If you would like to order a concrete eagle for the 250th celebration, please follow this link to submit your order! 

Oswego250 Goosechase Missions

Ready to celebrate America’s 250th birthday in a whole new way?

The first round of the Oswego250 Goosechase has ended, but don’t put your scavenger skills away just yet! The next Oswego 250 Goosechase experiences goes live on March 21 and will run through April 12.

This edition will revolve around historic downtown Oswego. In addition to completing challenges and answering questions with general historical themes, participants will also seek out previous iterations of the American flag which have been placed on display at 15 different downtown businesses. Prizes will once again be awarded to the top teams upon completion of the campaign. 

Get ready to explore, discover and compete. Keep an eye out on Village socials and in the Goosechase app for additional details on upcoming experiences and mission drops. 

About Goosechase:

Download the FREE Goosechase app

Search for the “Oswego250” experience

Enter password: Oswego250

For more information on Goosechase and how it works, please visit https://support.goosechase.com/en/collections/3254127-participating-in-an-experience.

Get ready to explore, learn and celebrate. Happy hunting Oswego!

Meet the Oswego250 Artist

Meet the artist behind the Oswego250 logo.

We are proud to announce Valerie Anderson as the winner of the Oswego250 Logo Contest. A resident of Oswego since 2005, Valerie’s design reflects a strong sense of community pride, neighborliness and a shared commitment to celebrating Oswego’s past while looking toward the future.

Inspired by her passion for hand-drawn graphic art, Valerie created a logo that honors Oswego’s place in America’s 250th anniversary. She hopes the design sparks joy, connects Oswegoans to this historic milestone and serves as a lasting symbol of celebration for years to come.

Thank you, Valerie, for helping tell Oswego’s story through your art.