ROSWELL — The United States of America will be celebrating its 250th birthday in a few months, and community members have been planning local festivities.

Funding from the city was discussed for this unique Fourth of July event as well as for the UFO Festival during the Feb. 3 meeting of the Roswell Finance Committee. MainStreet Roswell organizes the UFO Festival and is “helping coordinate activities associated with the America 250 Roswell celebration recognizing the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States,” according to the report written by city staff for the committee.

MainStreet Roswell requested a sponsorship agreement with the city for $280,000. America 250 would receive $150,000, and the remaining $130,000 would be used for the UFO Festival.

“The proposed sponsorship agreement in the amount of $280,000 reflects the expanded scope, scale, and combined efforts of hosting both the UFO Festival and the America 250 Roswell celebration,” the report to the committee also states. “The agreement is intended to support event production, infrastructure, marketing, and related costs to ensure successful execution of both events.”

—Roswell Daily Record