On July 4, 2026, the United States will celebrate its 250th birthday marking the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
Rabun County and its cities have big plans to go all out for the celebration.
Keep Rabun Beautiful is encouraging citizens, organizations and businesses to Adopt a Road.
“This is a really great time to get involved,” said Rabun County Welcome Center Manager Linda Scofield about joining the national movement honoring America’s 250 years.
Keep Rabun Beautiful is a Keep America Beautiful affiliate. Forward Rabun is the umbrella organization for Rabun County’s Welcome Center, Development Authority, Tourism, Keep Rabun Beautiful and Chamber of Commerce.
Scofield said that those interested can adopt a 2-mile minimum road in Rabun County for one year. They can obtain an application from the Rabun County Welcome Center, 10 Seed Tick Rd., Clayton. The paperwork then gets turned into the county marshal’s office.
Once the selected road is approved, a sign will be displayed at that road with the name of the individual or organization that sponsored it.
“The cost is commitment,” said Rick Story, president of Forward Rabun/Rabun
County Chamber of Commerce. He said that although there is no monetary cost, typical requirements involve a 12-month commitment with at least four cleanups to maintain the road.
Keep Rabun Beautiful supplies grabbers, vests, trash bags and gloves. A sign with the individual or group who sponsored the road is displayed.
The Rabun County Welcome Center currently has 250th birthday celebration merchandise for sale including challenge coins, which those who choose to adopt a road will receive, T-shirts and canvas tote bags.
Join the celebration of America’s 250th birthday and choose to Keep Rabun County beautiful through community service by adopting a road today.
The Rabun County Welcome Center is located at 10 Seed Tick Rd., Clayton. Contact 706-782-4812 or visit https://rabunchamber.com/ for more information.
Business hours are Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
“On July 4, 2026, our nation will commemorate and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The journey toward this historic milestone is an opportunity to pause and reflect on our nation’s past, honor the contributions of all Americans, and look ahead toward the future we want to create for the next generation and beyond,” according to information on the America250.org website.
“America250 is the national nonpartisan organization charged by Congress to engage every American in celebrating and commemorating the 250th anniversary of our country,” according to the website. “This multi-year effort, from now through July 4, 2026, is an opportunity to pause and reflect on our nation’s past, honor the contributions of all Americans, and look ahead toward the future we want to create for the next generation and beyond.”