LINCOLN, NEB — Nebraska will be featured on a national stage later this month as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration.

Gov. Jim Pillen joined business and community leaders Monday to preview the state’s participation in the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C.

The event runs June 25 through July 10 on the National Mall and will showcase exhibits from states and territories as part of the America 250 celebration.

Nebraska’s pavilion will highlight the state’s industries, history and culture, with participation from organizations including Union Pacific, Werner Enterprises, Tenaska, Valley Irrigation, Boys Town, Nebraska Public Power District, the Nebraska State Fair and History Nebraska.

“We’re really, really excited to partner with the businesses and organizations that are supporting Nebraska’s pavilion,” Pillen said. “We’re going to do a ton of bragging about Nebraska’s culture and traditions, our businesses, innovations and ideas.”

Union Pacific, founded in 1862, will be a centerpiece exhibit, highlighting its role in building the transcontinental railroad, completed in 1869 with the Golden Spike in Promontory, Utah.

Today, the Omaha-based railroad operates a freight network spanning 23 states.

“At our Nebraska pavilion, we’re going to give people the opportunity to be an engineer for a day,” said Eric Gehringer, executive vice president at Union Pacific. “We’re going to have a simulator there so both children and adults can see what it takes to help build America.”

Other exhibits will feature agriculture technology from Valley Irrigation, Nebraska’s public power system, Boys Town, the Nebraska State Fair and History Nebraska.

History Nebraska will highlight the 1879 Standing Bear court decision in Omaha, which recognized Native Americans as persons under U.S. law, along with the origins of Arbor Day in Nebraska.

“I want people to come away with a very, very clear picture of what’s made Nebraska who we are,” Pillen said.

Following the announcement, Pillen also updated the wildfire in the Nebraska Panhandle, saying it has burned about 35,000 acres and is roughly 10% contained. Nebraska National Guard aircraft and firefighters are assisting with suppression efforts near Fort Robinson.

The Great American State Fair opens June 25 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

The Community Calendar publishes events, meetings and fundraisers in The Jamestown Sun at no charge. To submit an activity, email it to news@jamestownsun.

Tuesday, June 16

Storytime for preschoolers, toddlers, 10 a.m., Alfred Dickey Library, 105 3rd St. SE.

Rotary, 12:10 p.m., Club 1883, 519 1st Ave. S.

Gamblers Anonymous, 5:30 p.m., AA Clubhouse, 518 10th Ave. SE.

James River Alcoholics Anonymous, noon (closed, topic) and 8 p.m. (open, Big Book), 518 10th Ave. SE.

Community Bike Rides, 6:45-8 p.m., Buchholz Park, 1727 6th Ave. NE, led by Jamestown Bike Riders Advocacy Group. Community Bike Fleet available for those needing a bike, helmet. Sign up for free at

https://bit.ly/43FRf4v

or call 701-252-3982.

James River Alanon Family, 7 p.m., AA Clubhouse, 518 10th Ave. SE.

Jamestown Overcomers Narcotics Anonymous, 7:30 p.m., Seventh-day Adventist Church, 1201 4th St. NE.

Sons of Norway, 7 p.m., Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1403 9th Ave. SE 

American Red Cross, 2 p.m., Holiday Inn Express, 803 20th St. SW

Prairie Palooza, 3-7 p.m., hosted by North Dakota State University Extension and the Society for Range Management, at NDSU’s Central Grassland Research Extension Center near Streeter. Family-friendly event; learn about the importance of prairie ecosystems, prairie plants, soils, birds and pollinators. Optional birding tour, 1 p.m.; registration requested to free event at

ndsu.ag/PrairiePalooza26

or contact Benjamin Menapace at 810-618-1550 or benjamin.menapace@ndsu.edu.

District 24 Dem-NPL meeting, 7 p.m., Enderlin Senior Citizens Center, 221 3rd Ave., Enderlin.

Wednesday, June 17
James River Alcoholics Anonymous, noon (open, topic) and 8 p.m., (closed, topic), AA Clubhouse, 518 10th Ave. SE.

Sun Meals Mini Camp: “Sweet & Crunchy Creations,” 1-2 p.m., NDSU Extension – Stutsman County, 502 10th Ave. NE. Recipe: Popcorn Trail Mix. Free. All youth invited; parents can join. Groups should call a day in advance.

Jamestown Regional Airport Authority, 6 p.m., Jamestown Regional Airport conference room.

Primary Purpose, 7 p.m. (open, Big Book) 116 1st Ave. South.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Ohioans will be able to get a limited edition “I Voted” sticker this November that commemorates America’s 250th birthday.

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose unveiled the special design this week at the 2026 Ohio Secretary of State Annual Conference.

The new design is an effort to encourage more people to vote and highlight the importance of civic engagement. Watch the latest headlines from NBC4 in the player above.

“As our nation prepares to celebrate 250 years of freedom, self-government, and civic participation, this special edition sticker serves as a reminder that every vote helps write the next chapter of the American story,” LaRose said in a statement.

The new sticker features the familiar “I Voted” design but also includes a large blue border, a sunrise illustration in the background, and a large “250” with a gold banner that says “America” with the dates 1776 and 2026.

“You all know the most important thing to some people about Election Day is their ‘I Voted’ sticker,” LaRose said. “Well, it’s become iconic, people love their ‘I Voted’ sticker. So we decided, let’s maybe have some fun and celebrate America’s 250th birthday.”

All 88 county boards of elections will have a limited supply of the special sticker, which will be available to voters who cast early in-person ballots or vote on Election Day, while supplies last.

“We hope Ohio voters will wear this sticker proudly as we celebrate this historic milestone together,” LaRose said.

Early in-person voting for the November election starts on Tuesday, Oct. 6.