Blackfoot kicks off birthday celebrations as the city turns 125 and America turns 250
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BLACKFOOT — Blackfoot has double the reason to celebrate big in 2026 as the city marks its 125th birthday in the same year the United States of America turns 250.
The milestone year will officially kick off with a free Community Celebration on Saturday, Jan. 17, at 6:30 p.m. at Mountain View Middle School, where residents are invited to gather for a patriotic program, historical reflections, and a community bonfire.
The event marks the first of many celebrations planned throughout the year, highlighting both Blackfoot’s legacy and the nation’s history.
Two giant birthdays
Nationally, 2026 marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The document declared the American colonies’ separation from British rule and established principles of liberty, equality, and self-governance.
Locally, Blackfoot is celebrating 125 years since its founding in 1901. What began as a small settlement shaped by agriculture and the railroad and influenced by the presence and history of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, has remained a close-knit small town known for its resilience and community pride.
Blackfoot is also home to the long-running Eastern Idaho State Fair, which reflects the region’s agricultural roots and community traditions, and today is increasingly known for its farming heritage and agricultural and technology headquarters.
“This really is a once-in-a-lifetime alignment,” said Heather McPhie, organizer and executive director of the Bingham County Historical Society.
McPhie also serves as a local ambassador for America250 in Idaho, part of the nationwide initiative marking the nation’s signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026.
“We were tossing around ideas for America250 when we realized it’s Blackfoot’s 125th birthday too,” McPhie said. “What a reason to celebrate! One hundred twenty-five is half of 250. That only happens once ever. America is exactly twice as old as Blackfoot.”
The first of many celebrations
This Friday’s patriotic program will begin indoors with music by the Blackfoot High School Band, including “America the Beautiful,” followed by a flag ceremony.
A reading of the Declaration of Independence will be delivered by longtime Blackfoot businessman David Cannon, while Blackfoot’s founding document will be read by newly elected Mayor Scott Stufflebeam. A PowerPoint presentation featuring historic photos of Blackfoot will serve as a visual backdrop throughout the ceremony.
Following the indoor program, the celebration will move outdoors to a large community bonfire across the street at the east end of the Blackfoot Soccer Complex. Attendees are invited to gather, enjoy hot chocolate, and visit with neighbors and friends.
Three “Spuddy Buddy” mascots from the Idaho Potato Commission, based in Boise, are also expected to attend for fun and photo opportunities.
McPhie said the event’s planning committee includes community members from all walks of life and that the birthday celebrations are a grassroots effort, with events planned so far through September.
“This first event is really a kickoff,” she said. “We want to share information, build excitement, and let people know what’s coming throughout the year.”
Come one, come all
McPhie emphasized that the celebrations are not just for Blackfoot, and surrounding communities are encouraged to join in the fun.
“It’s Blackfoot’s birthday, and everyone is invited,” she said. “This is our year to celebrate why we live in America, our freedom, our history, and our community.”
“We hope people will come, reflect, and celebrate. Fifty years from now, when the community gathers again to celebrate these birthdays, we want them to look back and say, ‘They knew how to do it right,’” McPhie concluded.
Additional events are already being planned, with the next celebration scheduled for Feb. 21, and more details to be announced.
Anyone with questions or ideas related to America250 or Blackfoot125 celebrations is encouraged to contact the Bingham County Historical Society at 208-785-9906 or via email at bchs@binghamcountyhistoricalsociety.org.