It was a star-spangled spectacle at the historic Pocono Raceway on Flag Day during the Great American Getaway 400. Grand marshals Ben Franklin and Betsy Ross were on hand, along with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, as thousands of fans dressed in red, white and blue gathered to celebrate patriotism and the nation's upcoming 250th birthday.

Governor Shapiro highlighted the significance of the milestone anniversary and the responsibility Americans share in carrying forward the ideals upon which the country was founded.

“We are blessed to live in this country, and we have an opportunity to not just live here, but a responsibility to perfect it and make it even better every day,” Gov. Shapiro said. “And Ben (Franklin) was an inspiration to me for that. And I hope as we spend this year, two hundred and fifty years later reflecting on those words, we all are not only proud and excited to live in this country, we recognize our responsibility to help carry it forward to the next generation.”

Throughout Pocono Raceway, pride and patriotism were on full display as Independence Day and the nation’s semiquincentennial approaches.

“It means a lot. Very patriotic,” said U.S. Marine Sgt. Travis Miller of Swiftwater. “My family's very patriotic. I've been in the area my whole life. So being out here at Pocono Raceway, I love it. Especially to celebrate two hundred and fifty years.”

Over at Vets Village, active-duty military members and veterans from all branches of service connected with race fans during the weekend festivities.

“It's honestly amazing the support that we've had out here,” Miller said. “There's so many people coming up, thank you for your service. So to see that type of support is amazing. And being in twelve years, that's why I keep going.”

Families from across Pennsylvania also made the annual trip to watch the world's best stock-car drivers compete. For the Reamer family from Berks County, the race weekend is about much more than NASCAR.

“I'm proud to be an American,” said John Reamer. “I'm a sucker for anything patriotic in America. Hence the boys dressed up that way.”

His wife, Jackie, said the family enjoys combining race weekend with time outdoors in the Pocono Mountains.

“Hanging out by the lakes and we love boating and everything,” she said. “So we bring the boat up and go out on the lake and things.”

Their son, Carson, reflected on what the country means to him.

“You can be free. It's a free country,” he said. “There's many cool things to see. We can do many cool things instead of being blocked from it.”

Also participating in Vets Village was VALOR, a local organization dedicated to helping homeless veterans. Farrah Schaefer, whose father served in the military and whose son currently serves in the Army, emphasized the importance of the 250-year milestone.

“I think it's extremely important. Two hundred and fifty years is a huge milestone,” Schaefer said. “Everybody should look at a way to volunteer for some type of organization or something that has to do with something they care about.”

America250PA has spent years preparing for the historic anniversary. The organization continues to host activities and events throughout 2026 to commemorate the nation's founding.

“So for America250, 2026 is a whole calendar year,” said Cassandra Coleman of America250PA. “We started in January and we are continuing through December when George Washington crossed the Delaware. July Fourth, of course, will be the culmination. But we will keep going. We will have activities, we'll have volunteer opportunities. We will have big signature events all throughout the fall. And then, of course, close out this year and really put that PA in party.”

From the racetrack and the infield to communities across the Poconos and Pennsylvania, the celebration of America’s 250th birthday continues.

After all, this is the land of majesty, the land of high speed, the land of slow paddling, the land of historic charm and the land of relaxation. Most importantly, it is the land of the free.

Happy Birthday, America. Proud to be the Pocono Mountains.