Columbia is a town full of history," said John Reitzel, chair of the committee tasked with commemorating the town's 300th anniversary. "I'm a lifetime resident, and I didn't know all the history myself."

He's hoping people will explore Columbia's past and discover its present during multiple events and activities set to mark the milestone anniversary.

In a year where attention is focused on America's semiquincentennial, Columbians know their place in the country's past.

"We were a community before there was such a place as 'America,'" Reitzel said. "We've been an important part of Pennsylvania and the region for 300 years."

The opening ceremony for the 300th anniversary celebration will be held on Friday, June 19, beginning at 5:30 p.m. in Locust Street Park, 550 Locust St.

"We'll have a few guest speakers, including state Rep. Brett Miller and state Sen. James Malone and Mayor Leo Lutz," Reitzel said. "Old Columbia Public Grounds Company turns 200 this year, and they manage the park. They're going to get a citation."

Following the ceremony, Central City Orchestra will kick off the annual Music in the Park, an event sponsored by the Columbia Lions Club.

"They are a great band, and they always draw a big crowd," Reitzel said. "It's going to be a really fun evening."

On Saturday, June 20, people are invited to explore Thunder on the River in downtown Columbia and the Last Ride and Macabre Creations in Mount Bethel Cemetery.

The 300th anniversary committee will also host a Light the Night Watch Party on Sunday, June 28, coinciding with Riverfest 2026's finale.

Historian Scott Mingus will speak at 5 p.m. on "Bringing the Heat," telling the story of the bridge burning that proved to be a pivotal point in the Civil War. From 6 to 8 p.m., live music will be presented by The Maxwell Project, followed by a viewing party to see all 26 piers on the river - the remains of the original bridge - lit on fire to commemorate the 1863 event.

"We're really happy to be part of this re-enactment," Reitzel said. "One of the many things we're proud of as a town was the role Columbia played both in the Civil War and with the Underground Railroad. When enslaved people crossed the river into Columbia, they experienced their first sense of freedom here."

Columbia 300 festivities will continue on Saturday, July 4, with a community celebration at Glatfelter Memorial Field, 1249 Lancaster Ave., Columbia, beginning at 6 p.m.

"The band PopScotch will play from 6 to 9 p.m., followed by fireworks," Reitzel said. "We're going to have free hot dogs, free chips, water, children's activities, a dunk tank and more. It's a totally free event for the community. We have a very generous community here, and we've raised enough money to be able to put on this event at no cost to the public."

Planning for Columbia's 300th anniversary celebration began more than a year ago, and fundraising efforts included the creation of a commemorative calendar that soon sold out. Reitzel, who enjoys photography, also supplied photos for a book highlighting Columbia's history, with content written by Sara Mimnall. The book will be for sale at all of the 300th anniversary events, along with memorabilia including mugs, T-shirts and yard signs.

"Columbia has been important in America's history," Reitzel said. "We were once considered as a location for the nation's capital. We were a hub for transportation during the Industrial Revolution. We have a lot of pride in our town. We come together when something good happens, but we also come together when bad things happen, and we support each other."

He said he's looking forward to seeing what the future holds for Columbia.

"We're a very proud, very close-knit town," he said. "We're excited to say, 'Here we are. We're still here, and we're thriving.'"

For more information on events to mark Columbia's 300th anniversary, follow "Columbia PA 300" on Facebook.