As the United States prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary on July 4th, communities across the country are looking for meaningful ways to commemorate the milestone. Fireworks, parades, concerts, and patriotic ceremonies will undoubtedly play a role, but one of the most ambitious yet simple initiatives is centered around something nearly everyone can relate to—sharing a meal.

America’s Potluck, an event spearheaded by America250 Utah, is a nationwide effort to gather Americans together with neighbors, friends, family members, and community groups on July 5, 2026. The goal is ambitious: 25,000 potlucks nationwide.

Organizers envision America’s Potluck as an extension of Independence Day celebrations. Communities will gather for events, parades, and fireworks throughout the holiday weekend, but on July 5, the focus shifts to neighborhood connection—thousands of small moments of connection that collectively become part of a historic national celebration.

“Let’s make a whole weekend of it,” explained Nicole Handy, executive director of America250 Utah. “On the 5th, let’s take that day and come together, break bread, share a conversation, and get to know your neighbor a little bit better.”  

The idea grew out of a larger mission envisioned by Utah Governor Spencer Cox in 2023 when he established a state commission tasked with helping residents connect with the historic anniversary in ways that feel personal, meaningful, and community driven. Utah’s efforts are part of a national movement after Congress established America250 to coordinate commemorations of the Declaration of Independence’s signing. In Utah, the commission operates within the Department of Cultural and Community Engagement and America250 Utah has partnered with hundreds of cities and communities across the state to create opportunities for residents to participate.

“Governor Cox created this commission with the mission that all Utahns would find a way to connect with this anniversary,” continued Handy.

What makes America’s Potluck so appealing is its flexibility. There’s no official menu, no required location, and no prescribed format. Nearly everyone can participate, regardless of age, location, or background.

Some faith communities are encouraging members to gather on their own streets. Others are organizing meals at churches and community centers. Municipalities are allowing neighborhoods to close streets so residents can gather. Families can host backyard barbecues, community organizations can organize larger events, and friends can simply invite one another over for dinner.

“There’s really no wrong way to do it,” stated Handy. “We love this idea of gathering together around food because food is a connector.” 

Indeed, food has long served as a universal language across cultures and communities. A family recipe, a favorite side dish, or a dessert passed down through generations creates an opportunity for conversation and connection in ways few other experiences can.

For Utah’s First Lady Abby Cox, that idea resonates deeply with memories of her hometown Independence Day celebrations.

“My family came together to celebrate the Fourth of July with our community,” she recalled. “The people that moved away, they come back and that was the time that we connected with people we hadn’t seen in a long time. We connected with people that we saw all the time. And we were able to celebrate.”

That experience, she says, is exactly what America’s Potluck hopes to create on a national scale.

“To me, this is a beautiful opportunity for us to share that kind of culture, that kind of moment with the rest of the country,” she continued.

At its heart, America’s Potluck is an invitation. The goal is not perfection. It’s participation.

“Every story that’s told at gatherings and at America’s Potlucks is all part of this American story,” Cox said. “We’re all part of that and this is something that we can do to come together and commemorate together. Share a beautiful meal. Talk to somebody that may have a different story than you do. Talk to a neighbor you haven’t met. Connect with them.”

At this moment in our country, Cox sees America’s Potluck as a chance to focus on what unites us.

“It really is this powerful moment for all of us to take a breath, remember that we’re all Americans and that, no matter what you believe politically or otherwise, it really is about sharing our humanity together and celebrating our incredible country.”

America250 Utah is encouraging participants to register their gatherings online and pin them to a national map, helping visualize the scale of the effort, whether they’re public events or private neighborhood dinners. 

As America prepares to celebrate 250 years of independence, America’s Potluck is a reminder that some of the most meaningful commemorations will happen around a table this summer.

All it takes is a chair, a shared meal, and an invitation to pull up a seat.

Photos by Heather L. King