In the depths of an unforgiving winter, Southold Town Historian Amy Folk and volunteer Katie Girandola are focused on a spectacular summer.
A sweeping, community-wide celebration is taking shape across the North Fork as local organizers plan events marking the 250th anniversary of America’s Declaration of Independence. Programming will span schools, libraries, historical societies, cultural organizations and waterfront venues throughout 2026, Folk and Girandola told the Town Board at its Tuesday morning work session.
One of the first initiatives to launch is a K–12 student logo contest, proposed by Southold resident Katie Girandola, who approached town officials last fall looking for a way to contribute.
The contest will be open to all students in Southold Town schools and invites young artists to design an original logo reflecting local history and the spirit of American independence, Girandola said. Submissions can incorporate Revolutionary War themes, agriculture, maritime heritage or modern interpretations.
“It can be A.I. It can be whatever they want to do,” she said. “Everything about America, along with the spirit of American independence and the 250th milestone — the birthday of America.”
The winning logo may be used on promotional materials throughout the anniversary year, including parade announcements and event signage. Organizers are aiming for an early April submission deadline, with plans to present the winning student with a certificate following the annual parade and to display all submitted artwork at the local library in June.
Folk, who is helping coordinate the town’s broader anniversary efforts, said the logo contest is one of many projects now underway — most of them driven by local historical and cultural groups.
“The bulk of the work of doing this is really on all of our historical societies and other cultural groups,” Folk said.
Among the larger-scale events being discussed is a potential visit from the U.S. Coast Guard boat Eagle to Greenport, along with the possibility of additional historic ships. Folk also said the Southold American Legion has taken over organizing the Fourth of July parade, including, for the first time, a reading of the Declaration of Independence.
Countywide initiatives are also feeding into the North Fork’s plans. Suffolk County has produced 250th anniversary “passport” books highlighting local events and is preparing to offer grants to participating organizations. Folk said the county is also working with restaurants on Revolutionary War–inspired menus and with local brewers on commemorative products.
“Greenport Brewery is already like, ‘Oh, we’re doing this,’” she said, noting plans for a beer based on Revolutionary-era research.
Historical societies across the North Fork are planning reenactments, colonial craft demonstrations, period music, games and symbolic events, possibly including a “tea party” in Greenport Harbor. The 1773 Boston Tea Party was a pivotal colonial protest in which patriots dumped hundreds of chests of British tea into Boston Harbor to oppose the Tea Act and the principle of taxation without representation.
“Don’t know what the [state Dept. of Environmental Conservation] will say about that, but okay!” Folk said, eliciting laughter from the town board members.
Schools are also getting involved, with Mattituck High School developing plans and student-led activities.
Additional programming includes film screenings, debates between Loyalists and Patriots, student speech contests, library book clubs, guided tours of Revolutionary War sites and discussions centered on local history.
As planning continues, Folk said event calendars are being coordinated through the county’s website, allowing residents and visitors to see North Fork events in one place.
“All of these organizations realize that they’re part of this incredible constellation,” she said.