Idaho Falls festival to honor nation, veterans and 9/11 heroes

Published at 3:33 pm, September 9, 2026 | Updated at 3:38 pm, September 9, 2026

Rett Nelson, EastIdahoNews.com

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Idaho’s replica of the Liberty Bell, moved from its typical home, sits on the back of a Ford F-450 flatbed truck. After an appearance at the Eastern Idaho State Fair, it will be at the Bonneville County Fairgrounds in Idaho Falls on Friday for a celebration. The video above is a look back at 9/11 made in conjunction with the 20th anniversary in 2021. | Photo courtesy Idaho State Treasurer’s Office

IDAHO FALLS – The celebration of America’s 250th anniversary will culminate with an event in Idaho Falls this weekend to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

The America250 in Idaho Freedom Festival is happening on Friday at the Bonneville County Fairgrounds. In a Tuesday morning news release sent to EastIdahoNews.com, America250 in Idaho service ambassador and Idaho Falls JustServe specialist Susan Stucki says the event “offers our community a meaningful opportunity to honor our country, pay tribute to our local veterans, remember those who lost their lives, and recognize those who saved lives on Sept. 11, 2001.”

“This family-friendly celebration will be a historic and engaging way for everyone to experience the spirit of America,” Stucki says.

The free event, sponsored by The Bank of Commerce, will begin at 6 p.m. A pre-event at 5 p.m. will include a visit from the Idaho Liberty Bell, which is touring the state on the back of a flatbed Ford F-450 pickup owned by Boise-area auto dealer Kendall Ford. Since Nov. 1951, Idaho Capital Sun reports the bell has sat prominently in front of the grand steps leading up to the Idaho State Capitol building. It began a tour across the state on Sept. 2 to help celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday, and will make a stop in each of Idaho’s 44 counties.

The tour began in Pocatello. The bell made an appearance in the Eastern Idaho State Fair parade in Blackfoot on Saturday.

The replica of the cracked original in Philadelphia has become a national symbol, and was one of many that were cast and given to states in an effort to sell U.S. savings bonds, according to a history of the bell prepared by the Idaho State Historical Society. The state spent $28,500 to have it cleaned and restored ahead of the tour.

Locals at the Idaho Falls celebration are encouraged to look at it, touch it and ring it, just like people in Boise do every day.

“We want to have people experience the birth of a nation,” Idaho Treasurer Julie Ellsworth told Idaho Capital Sun. “We want a memorable thing that touches every place in Idaho.”

Idaho Patriot Spuddy Buddies, a series of characters depicting the founding fathers with Idaho potatoes, will also be at the Idaho Falls event. The Daughters of the Revolution will offer Revolutionary-Era activities for kids leading up to the event. FamilySearch will assist people wanting to find their own patriot ancestors.

Idaho State Treasurer Julie Ellsworth poses for a photo at the Idaho State Capitol with four Revolutionary Spuddy Buddy dolls that she dressed in custom costumes made by hand for the America250 celebrations. (File photo by Clark Corbin/Idaho Capital Sun) — Idaho State Treasurer Julie Ellsworth poses for a photo at the Idaho State Capitol with four Revolutionary Spuddy Buddy dolls that she dressed in custom costumes made by hand for the America250 celebrations. | Clark Corbin, Idaho Capital Sun

Once the festival gets underway, singer Jay Osmond, who recently moved to Idaho Falls, will provide some entertainment, along with the Eagle Rock Pipe and Drums. EastIdahoNews.com interviewed Osmond on a recent episode of “It’s Worth Mentioning,” which you can watch here.

The celebration will also include a history trivia competition and a time capsule to be opened in 2076. Attendees are encouraged to bring Thank a Vet cards to add to a collection that will be presented to local veterans.

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