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Celina Launches Yearlong Sesquicentennial Celebration for 2026

The City of Celina has officially launched Celina150, a yearlong celebration of its 150th anniversary, featuring community events, marketing campaigns, and legacy projects throughout 2026.

Xenia Yoder

July 2, 20262 min read

Town anniversary - illustration, Jake Team LLC
Town anniversary - illustration, Jake Team LLC

The City of Celina has officially launched Celina150, a yearlong Sesquicentennial celebration commemorating the city’s 150th anniversary in 2026. The initiative was formally introduced during the January City Council Meeting, where Mayor Ryan Tubbs read a proclamation recognizing the historic milestone and inviting residents to participate in honoring the city’s past while helping to shape its future.

Founded in 1876, Celina has evolved from a small agricultural settlement into one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation. Celina is about 6 miles north of Prosper. Despite this rapid expansion, city officials state that the community remains rooted in values of family, tradition, service, and civic pride.

The Celina150 program is designed to reflect this journey and celebrate the people, places, and stories that have defined the city over the last century and a half.

Mayor Tubbs described the sesquicentennial as a reflection of the community’s identity and direction. He noted that generations of families, farmers, business owners, volunteers, and civic leaders have built a community grounded in hard work and strong values. The celebration aims to honor that legacy, bring residents together, and establish a foundation for the next 150 years.

Unlike a single commemorative event, Celina150 will unfold throughout 2026 with a wide range of activities, programs, and experiences designed to engage residents of all ages. The purpose of the sesquicentennial is to celebrate the city’s heritage in authentic ways, unite the community, highlight its growth and long-term vision, and build lasting civic pride.

Community engagement is central to the celebration, with initiatives highlighting agricultural roots, cultural traditions, and a forward-looking spirit.

To support the yearlong celebration, the city is implementing a comprehensive marketing and storytelling effort. This includes a dedicated visual identity, coordinated media outreach, digital campaigns, video storytelling, and a centralized online presence. These initiatives aim to share the city’s story, amplify community voices, and ensure consistent recognition of the sesquicentennial throughout the year.

The celebration will also be visible across the community through downtown enhancements, commemorative elements, and legacy projects that honor history while enhancing shared public spaces. Select merchandise and collectibles will be available to provide residents with meaningful ways to commemorate the milestone and support long-term community investments.

A robust calendar of events and engagement opportunities will be integrated into existing city programming and special sesquicentennial initiatives to encourage hands-on participation, service, and reflection. Artistic and historical legacy projects will further preserve the city’s story for future generations.

Mayor Tubbs emphasized that the celebration belongs to the entire community, aiming to bring together neighborhoods, generations, and backgrounds to honor shared history and future. Additional details, announcements, and opportunities to participate will be released throughout 2026. Residents are encouraged to follow city communications and visit official platforms for updates on events, programs, and ways to get involved.

Specific details regarding the full calendar of events, budget allocations, and specific legacy projects are not yet clear.

Source: celina-tx.gov.

Sources

https://www.celina-tx.gov/m/newsflash

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Xenia Yoder

Xenia Yoder writes about community life, schools, public safety, and local events in Prosper.

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