America’s 250th anniversary is just around the corner, and Mathews County’s VA250 Committee is gearing up to make sure the county is one of Virginia’s go-to spots for the celebration during the week of July 4, 2026.

The committee’s initial roll-out of the two-year celebration will be held on May 4 at this year’s May Faire celebration.

Established last year by the Mathews Board of Supervisors, the 17-member Mathews VA250 Committee is charged with planning activities that highlight the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, as well as the ensuing fight for freedom.

Chairman Fred Lyon said the committee has been working since last June to incubate ideas and organize itself, and now it’s ready to start putting some of its ideas into action. On May 4, during “May Faire 2024: A Rural Life,” Mathews County’s spring heritage festival, VA250 members will have a booth set up to provide information to the public and raise money by selling a CD of patriotic music rec...