DAR Plans to Observe Nation’s Semi Quincentennial for East Pasco County
Excerpts from presentation to the Dade City Commissioners, Dec. 9, 2025
By KAREN GASKIN, Echebucsassa Chapter NSDAR
The Echebucsassa Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is preparing to observe the nation’s Semiquincentennial that will be held on July 4, 2026.
That date will be the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding – the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
I’m providing information as Chair of the America 250 Committee of the Echebucsassa Chapter, NSDARthat servesthe areas of Plant City, Dade City and Zephyrhills.
Our mission is to promote education, patriotism, and historic preservation. The DARwas established in 1890. We are one of the oldest women’s service organizations in the country. There have been over one million members since its inception, each one descending from a Patriotof the American Revolution.
National America 250 planning began in 2016, with the congressional “Semiquincentennial Commission”. The State of Florida America 250 Commission was established in December 2024. The National Society of the DAR began actively planning, educating, and providing resources to local chapters in November 2016. There are 111 DAR chapters in Florida who have been participating in this effort as well.
Our Chapter has been meeting with various civic and business organizations over the past 18 months to raise awareness, engage participation and coordinate events in both Dade City and Zephyrhills.
We have met with Rotary, civic, military, and merchant groups, made presentations at several schools, and hosted tables at several community events. We havealso organized and hosted three Community Group America 250 Planning meetings with the help of the East Pasco Chamber of Commerce,our third meeting was held on Dec. 12 at the Dade City Chamber building.
It is our hope that the celebrations that will be held in Dade City will be, as John Adams said in a letter to Abigail, “a great anniversary festival” to be celebrated with “pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, bells, bonfires and illuminations.” I agree with him especially the fireworks!!!
Our goal through our meetings has been to raise awareness, provide suggestions, and solicit civic, merchant, and service organizations to adopt, lead or support one or more of these events – making this a community-wide effort.
Dade City is “Hometown America” and our national pride sparkles when given the opportunity to shine.
There are several suggestions pending which we hoped to have had confirmed sponsorship at the Dec. 12 Community Group A250 meeting. Any events that are not sponsored or confirmed by a group or organization will remain pending, awaiting sponsorship orunfortunatelywill not be part of the celebration.
Pasco County also approached us to coordinate with us in planning for events for east Pasco County. Specifically, one of those planned events will be use of the Historic Pasco County Courthouse in Dade City for the July 4th celebration, and possibly fireworks.
Our Chapter would very much like to assist with this effort.
As stated previously, our committee has been contacting various organizations to lay the groundwork for participating in the program. We cannot proceed until we know the city and county have committed to also assist with this event. That assistance would include security, street closures, restroom facilities, chairs/staging, sound, publicity, guest speakers, and decorations.
As events are finalized, more information will be provided.Anyone desiring more information about how east Pasco County, Dade City, Zephyrhills, andthe Echebucsassa Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is planning and preparing to observe the nation’s Semiquincentennial should stay tuned!
