Join Indiana Humanities, the Pekin Community Betterment Organization, and the John Hay Center for a premiere screening of The Fourth of July in Pekin, IN, a new short documentary about Pekin's annual celebration. The documentary, directed by local filmmaker Erik Thein, captures the spirit of Pekin's Fourth of July festivities, a yearly tradition where generations of Pekin residents have come together to make the celebration the oldest consecutively-celebrated Fourth of July festival in the nation.

After the screening, there will be a brief Q&A with the filmmakers and with community members who have had a hand in organizing the festival. There will also be opportunities to share your own Fourth of July memories and feedback about the film as the filmmakers work to develop what they've captured into a full-length documentary.

This event is free and open to the public, though registration is appreciated. Light refreshments will be served.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

This documentary and discussion is part of By the People: Conversations Beyond 250, a series of community-driven programs created by humanities councils across the United States, its territories, and the District of Columbia in collaboration with local partners. Together, these programs explore 250 years of the nation's cultural life and imagine its shared future. The initiative was developed by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage as a complement to the 2026 Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

ABOUT INDIANA HUMANITIES

Indiana Humanities sparks curiosity, connects people, and explores the human experience through programs, grants, and storytelling. Visit www.indianahumanities.org to learn more.

ABOUT THE PEKIN COMMUNITY BETTERMENT ORGANIZATION

The Pekin Community Betterment Organization is committed to enhancing local life through collaborative efforts and initiatives that foster growth, connection, and well-being in Pekin, Indiana. Visit https://pekinfourthofjuly.com/pcbo to learn more.

ABOUT THE JOHN HAY CENTER

The Washington County Historical Society provides stewardship of the John Hay Center, in order to connect people to our past by collecting, preserving, and sharing the artifacts and information of our repository with all visitors. Visit https://johnhaycenter.org/ to learn more.

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