A county celebrating
250 years.

On July 4, 2026, America turns 250. In Mariposa County — the original gateway to Yosemite, home to California’s oldest continuously-published weekly newspaper, and a community that has weathered gold rushes, fires, and floods for over a century and a half — we’re marking the occasion the way we know best: together, outdoors, with music, neighbors, history, and one spectacular evening sky.

Mariposa 250 is a free, day-long community celebration produced by the Mariposa Butterfly Festival, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, in partnership with Mariposa County. Our goal is simple: a July 4th that honors where our country has been, where our community stands today, and brings everyone in Mariposa County together for one memorable day.

What the day looks like

Gates open at 9:00 AM. Five stages of music play throughout the day. The Kids Zone runs from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The Mariposa Museum and History Center hosts historical programming including a History-Themed Costume Contest and a Historical Firearms Auction. Vendor booths line Stroming Road and fill the Frost Shop Marketplace. Golf carts shuttle visitors who need a ride.

At 8:00 PM, the Mariposa Chamber of Commerce and the Mariposa Lions Club produce a community parade through downtown. At 9:00 PM, a 200-drone light show rises over 8th Street — choreographed to tell the story of America’s 250 years, the history of Mariposa County, and our sponsors who made the day possible.

Why drones instead of fireworks

Mariposa County sits in the Sierra foothills. July is our driest, highest-risk month for wildfire. A 200-drone light show delivers a spectacular visual celebration without ignition risk, without the noise stress that loud fireworks cause to pets, wildlife, children, and veterans — and frankly, with a more memorable show.

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