From the St. Charles riverfront to Wentzville, county residents are getting ready to celebrate America’s 250^th birthday on July 4. 

Fireworks and parades, concerts and carnival rides, front porch flags and red, white and blue flowers—a breeze of patriotism will be stirring.

County leaders were asked ahead of the festivities what they love about America.  

“We have the rule of law. Not everybody has it. They certainly don’t have it in communist countries. They don’t have it in authoritarian countries. In America, people in power can’t just do something because they want to. They have to have legal precedent, legal statutory authority or constitutional authority to do things.”—County Executive Steve Ehlmann

“I love our beginnings. We were scrappy. We decided we wanted to be our own country. We didn’t want to rely on the British—or anybody else. And that scrappiness has served us well. I’ve been all over this world, and there’s no place like America.”—Councilwoman Patti York

“I just think the awesome freedoms that people have here, that they don't have in other places in the world, you know, the ability to have a chance for to take your life and improve it and you don't have to fear for what you say. It's a great place to try to pull yourself up by the bootstraps.”—Councilman Terry Hollander

“Freedom is really hard to come by in a lot of countries. I think of all our soldiers who have fought for our freedom. My father fought in three wars—World War II, Korea and Vietnam. And he was the one I admired. He was my hero. We have a great country, and we just need to get along a little better these days.”—Councilman Dave Hammond

“My mom came here from Germany in the 1960s, and she used to say Germany is so much better than America. So, I would say, if that's the case, why are people coming over here? Instead of going to Germany? We really have a great country, so much opportunity. As a second generation American, I have got no complaints about this country.”—Councilman Tim Baker

“It goes back to freedom. We're able to do things here that you just can't do in other countries. I was listening to some stories today about America. They were talking about all the different people who started with nothing and became billionaires. You have opportunity here that you just don't find anywhere else in the world. And I think that's probably the number one thing that's special about this country.”—Council Chair Mike Elam

“Well, I come from a town called Defiance, which is a very American thing, if you think about it. We're the defiant ones, because of the railroad—we fought them off. It goes back to the patriots fighting the British back in the Revolutionary War. The patriots said we have had enough! And they fought a bloody, bloody war. And with our small numbers we wore them down and won because of our defiance.”—Councilman Joe Brazil

There’s an official group promoting all things related to America’s 250^th birthday in St. Charles County. 

Andy McKean, 81, is the St. Charles County coordinator for America 250.

A retired businessman who has travelled the world with the Peace Corps, McKean says there is no place like America. 

“Everywhere I went in Africa, people wanted me to sponsor them so they could come here,” McKean says. “People want to come here because in America you have the freedom to pursue your dreams, to pursue your happiness. And that to me is why I love America.”

As part of the America 250 project, McKean suggests adults talk with younger people about what makes America special to them. 

“To educate them about the greatness of America,” McKean says. “About what it means to be an American, to educate them about what our Founding Fathers sacrificed for the Declaration of Independence, and fighting the Revolutionary War.”

Find out about festivals, concerts, fireworks and more. 

Among the patriotic themed events in the county this summer:

• Free patriotic concert with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra 7-9 p.m., Sunday, June 7 at 370 Lakeside Park in St. Peters
• Salute to Our Flag, a special ceremony hosted by the Daughters of the American Revolution, 9-10:10 a.m., Wednesday, June 10 at the Wentzville Rec Center (500 Great Oaks Boulevard in Wentzville)
• Free concert 6:30-8:30 p.m., Saturday June 13 at Rotary Park (2577 West Meyer Road in Foristell)
• Sundaes on Sunday: free ice cream, candidate forum, mock election for children, and pet adoptions 2-5 p.m., Sunday, June 14 at St. Charles County Election Authority headquarters (397 Turner Boulevard in St. Peters)
• Historical Scavenger Hunt 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday, June 27, starting at Ellbee’s General Store (6 West Main Street in Wentzville)
• St. Charles Riverfest in Frontier Park: two days of live music, carnival rides, food and fireworks. Noon-10 p.m., July 3 and 4, with a parade at 10 a.m., July 4
• O’Fallon Heritage and Freedom Fest Parade with festival to follow, July 4 on Main Street in O’Fallon