Brownsville Independence Day Art & Writing Contest

Celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary: Our Hopes for the Future

In honor of America’s landmark 250th anniversary, we are looking toward the future! We invite young artists, thinkers, and writers from the Brownsville community to share their visions, dreams, and wishes for the next chapter of our nation's history.

What do you hope the future of America looks like in the years to come? Show us through your creativity!

Contest Details

• Eligibility: Open to all children and youth ages 5 to 18.

• Submission Deadline: July 1st at 4pm 

• Categories: Participants may submit one entry in any of the following categories:

  • Story: A short story or essay (max: 1000 words).

  • Poetry: A poem of any style reflecting your hopes for the nation.

  • Artwork: A drawing, painting, mixed-media piece that visually captures your vision.

• Rules: 

  • No AI creations, or use of AI to write a story or poem. 

  • Must be age appropriate to the individual submitting work.

  • Hateful, discriminating language or content is not allowed and will cause an automatic disqualification from the contest. 

• Prizes will be awarded to children in the age categories of 5-8, 9-12, 13-18 and will be given out to children who have the best pieces of work in the areas of: 

  • Writing

    • Essay

    • Poetry

  • Drawing/painting

• Submissions will be put on display for people to see during the Brownsville Independence Day Celebration on July 4th on the stage at the Town Hall. 

• Submissions can be dropped off at the Mary Blood Library or the Town Hall by July 1st.

• Don’t forget to include your name and age to be considered for a prize

• Winners and prizes will be given out on July 4th during the Brownsville Independence Day Celebration

• All submissions will be on display on this day as well.

Join the July 4th Parade! 🇺🇸

Help Support "Reading-West Windsor Aging in Place" &  participate in the July 4th Parade!

The Reading-West Windsor Aging in Place nonprofit organization is looking for local youth and parents to help us represent our amazing senior community in the upcoming Brownsville Independence Day Parade!

Since the organization's founder, Sara, will be out of town for the holiday weekend, we need a community effort to help bring this parade vision to life.

🌟 What We Need

• 2 Banner Carriers: Kids to proudly carry our lightweight vinyl nonprofit banner (3 feet wide by 2 feet high).

• A Bicycle or Walking Fleet: Any and all kids who want to ride their bikes or walk behind while passing out candy would also be greatly appreciated!

• Adult Volunteers: 1 or 2 parents to volunteer to be in charge of the kids and coordinate the "float" on parade day.

🥸 A Fun Parade Theme!

Kids are welcome to dress up however they like, but we think it would be hilarious if they try to dress up like elderly people! Think straw hats, suspenders, fake mustaches, glasses—you name it. Let's make the crowd smile!

If you or your child is interested in participating in this please contact Sara Norcross at kbsnorcross@gmail.com, or Linda Ley at brownsvilleidc@gmail.com

*As a small community it is great when we can support the different agencies that make up the West Windsor/Windsor/Reading communities. Many of our ABS volunteers are connected to the activities that are supported by Aging in Place.