They’re big words that describe big events.

And in Lansford next year, they’ll be celebrating both.

That’s because in 2026, the nation will be celebrating its 250th year, while Lansford marks the 150th anniversary of its incorporation.

Organizers there face a daunting task to combine tributes to both milestones.

Local, state and national efforts are beginning to take shape across the coverage area.

Take Monroe County, for example, where community members and leaders kicked off their celebration planning with a gathering sponsored by America250PA, the statewide coordinator for the festivities.

Commissioner David Parker, county chair for the state group, cited a good turnout and enthusiastic crowd.

Attendees from municipalities in Monroe had the opportunity to sign up for committees that interested them, including: service, tourism and marketing; business and industry; preserve, arts and culture, educate, community care and land, water and wildlife.

Plans are for community and county events to be held this year and next, and ending with a July 4 parade in East Stroudsburg.

In Carbon County, Kim Werley, the America250PA coordinator, last week hosted representatives from historical groups, organizations, American Legion posts, municipal officials and others to discuss possible projects and activities.

Werley pointed to the county’s rich history, with 15 properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places, while two others are designated as National Historical Landmarks.

In addition, the county, she said, has 118 historical markers and at least 38 community organizations in its 23 municipalities she hopes to get involved.

She encouraged nonprofit groups and government entities to apply for matching grants of $5,000, $10,000 or $20,000 to help pay for the celebration. The grants, which can be sought between April 1 and May 15, will be announced June 15.

Carbon organizers hope to form a leadership team, collaborate with existing organizations and work with boroughs and townships on how they can celebrate between now and July 4, 2026.

One of those municipalities, Weissport, hosts a Liberty Tree in a borough park. The tree, which has its roots in the remnants of the last original Liberty Tree in Maryland, reminds visitors of Fort Allen, where Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers, served.

The tree is one of 67 to be planted across the state. Originally, they were places in a community where people gathered to air grievances, discuss issues or host major events.

Tamaqua is razing properties on North Railroad Street to create a park that will eventually host a Liberty Tree.

Another municipality, Lansford, is getting ready for a party of its own.

The borough, working to reinvent itself from its anthracite heyday, is hoping to pull together an observance to remember.

In 1926, it celebrated its Golden Jubilee with a muted observance, fresh off an anthracite strike. Boy Scouts placed a wreath at the gravesite of its founder, Asa Lansford Foster, in Mauch Chunk.

The allure of the nation’s bicentennial sparked a two-week celebration in the borough featuring fireworks, plays, contests, queens and a huge parade in 1976.

A two-hour parade marked the borough’s 75th in 2001, drawing on its rich tradition and ethnic diversity.

Last week, the borough joined the America250PA effort and Michele Bartek, a member of council, sees a three-day weekend event working in conjunction with the No. 9 Coal Mine and Museum as well as the Lansford Historical Society to highlight the borough’s history and heritage.

Another group, Lansford Alive, will hold a planning session Jan. 28 for all interested in helping with the celebration.

They’re hoping to plan events, fundraisers, memorabilia, a time capsule and getting more people involved.

Moving forward, no matter the community, county or organization, mobilizing and organizing resources to adequately observe the upcoming milestones is certainly a herculean task.

Its an opportunity to take a break from the social division we’ve seen in recent years and a way to make some memories our children can share.

It’s also good to see there’s an early start to getting things going. After all, the time to celebrate will be here faster than you can say sesquicentennial.

Or semiquincentennial.

ED SOCHA | tneditor@tnonline.com

Ed Socha is a retired newspaper editor with more than 40 years’ experience in community journalism. Reach him at tneditor@tnonline.com.