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Each year on the 4th of July, families across Nebraska come together to celebrate more than just fireworks and festivals.
We celebrate our founding ideals — the belief that all are created equal, endowed with the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Seward, Nebraska is officially known as “Nebraska’s Fourth of July City,” and it’s earned that title.
For more than 150 years — since just after Nebraska’s founding as a state — Seward has brought people together to celebrate our country. It’s a festival that’s grown from neighbors raising a flag on the town square into a nationally recognized event drawing over 40,000 visitors annually.
But the real story of Seward’s 4th of July begins long before the crowds.
It begins with pioneers like Lewis and Mary Ann Moffitt, who came to Nebraska in search of the American Dream. They settled near what would become the town of Seward in 1865 — just two years before it was officially recognized. Like many others who came west, they were looking for freedom, opportunity, and a place to build a better life for future generations.
By 1868, those early residents were already holding their first Independence Day celebration. Legend has it the women sewed a large American flag, and the town gathered to honor the birth of a country built not on shared ancestry, but on shared ideals. That first celebration planted a seed that still flourishes today.
Last year, I wrote about the concerning decline in American patriotism. This year, I want to reflect on how Nebraska towns like Seward remind us of what binds us together. Patriotism isn’t about ignoring flaws or avoiding tough conversations — it’s about loving our country enough to make it better. It’s about teaching the next generation why our freedoms matter and how they came to be.
Seward’s celebration reflects that spirit. Thanks to volunteers of all ages, this event has grown into one of the largest and most beloved in the Midwest. From street pole vaults to pie-eating contests, concerts, book talks, and a grand parade, the festival offers something for everyone. The Nebraska National Guard Museum opens its doors to visitors, honoring our military heritage.
Seward’s story also reminds us that patriotism isn’t reserved for stump speeches or political offices — it’s lived out in town squares and community parades and by volunteers handing out flags. Outside of Seward, patriotism is alive in Norfolk’s Big Bang Boom, Grand Island’s festivities, and Elwood’s boat parade – among many other community events and neighborhood gatherings.
Our patriotism — our love for America — must be renewed and shared if it is to survive. Because without patriotism’s unity and inspiration, we wouldn’t have made it through wars, recessions, or national tragedies. And we won’t make it through the challenges ahead unless we restore our shared belief in this country’s promise.
Seward shows us that it can be done. Their annual celebration is a living lesson in civic pride, service, and gratitude. It’s a reminder that America’s greatness comes not from Washington, D.C., but from towns and cities like Seward, and the citizens who pour their hearts into making July 4th meaningful.
This year, I hope you were able to visit a local celebration and see firsthand the spirit that built our state and sustains our nation. It’s worth protecting. It’s worth passing on.
Thank you for participating in the democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you again very soon.
