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WINDSOR – Two years from now, citizens across the United States will celebrate our nation’s 250^th birthday.

However, the time is now to start planning for an event of that historical significance.

Ronald Rascoe, president of the Blue Jay Recreation Center’s Board of Directors, was on the agenda at Monday’s meeting of the Bertie County Board of Commissioners. There, he shared plans by the Blue Jay community to stage a living history event in October of next year in advance of a national celebration in 2026.

That event, according to Rascoe, is entitled “Forgotten Black & Native Patriots of the Revolutionary War.”

“We planning to bring in a team of re-enactors that will show the history of Indian Woods and Bertie County so we can learn more about our history,” Rascoe told the commissioners. “We’re writing a grant seeking $30,000 to offset the cost of bringing in the re-enactors, live cannons, site set-up, meals, etc.”

In addition to hopefully securing the grant, Rascoe added that his board is seeking assistance and funding to help with the marketing and promotion part of this effort.

“We’re seeking $10,330 to get started,” he noted. “We’re hoping to get half of that funding from the county. This will be great for the county citizens and the schoolchildren as well as for those in surrounding counties.

“We want to make this event a big success for local tourism,” Rascoe continued. “We want to move forward on this as quick as we can.”

Rascoe explained that the funds he is seeking from the county will allow the Blue Jay Recreation Center’s Board of Directors to begin to promote the event far in advance. That marketing effort includes traditional advertising as well as a building a website dedicated to the October 2025 event.

Commissioner Ron Roberson asked Rascoe if the Blue Jay Directors have started to solicit donations, particularly from local businesses, to help support the event.

“I ask that question because I would like to make the first donation of $500,” said Roberson, a business owner.

“We haven’t as of yet,” Rascoe answered, “but we appreciate your donation and we will solicit other donations.

“If the county can help us out, it will be greatly appreciated as it will benefit the entire county and give us a lot of exposure,” he added.

The commissioners took no immediate action on Rascoe’s request for county funding.

In March of this year, America 250 NC announced its mission to engage all North Carolinians and all 100 counties to officially recognized programs, projects, and events in celebration of North Carolina’s contributions to the nation over the last 250 years.

The state has set aside $10,000 for each county to conduct such events. Each county has been encouraged to establish a committee to oversee and plan localized events in celebration of the nation’s semi quincentennial.