The 43rd Freedom Festival is gearing up for an unforgettable celebration in 2026 as we honor 250 years of the USA, and we want YOU to be part of the excitement! Local artists are invited to participate in the 2026 Button Design Contest to decide the look and feel of the 2026 Freedom Festival. Community members may submit their designs for consideration to be featured on the official Freedom Festival attendee button in 2026 as well as the overall festival artwork.

We’re thrilled to announce our Button Design Contest! Each year, our commemorative button becomes a must-have piece of Freedom Festival tradition, and for this milestone year, it’s extra special. With our 2026 theme, “Party Like It’s 1776,” we’re looking for designs that capture the spirit of America’s birthday, freedom, and celebration through bold, creative artwork.

The winning design will be announced in late November, with the designer receiving artwork recognition, VIP access at select events, honored as a Grand Marshall in the 2026 Parade, and a Festival prize pack of buttons and t-shirts featured on thousands of Festival buttons, shared across the community, and become a lasting part of Freedom Festival history.

Deadline to enter: November 17th, 2025

How to enter & design guidelines:

IMPORTANT: All designs must include

“2026”

“Freedom Festival”

• If submitting from Illustrator or other vector-based program: Please submit full project file (.ai or .eps) as well as 2000 x 2000 PNG with transparent background

• ​If submitting from Photoshop or similar program: Please submit full project file (,psd) as well as 2000 x 2000 PNG with transparent background

• ​For both: Please outline any text, provide the name of all fonts (if commonly available), expand all strokes, and don’t merge layers​. 300 dpi or ppi preferred for printing.

• ​If submitting from Canva or similar program: Please submit SVG file and 2000 x 2000 PNG with transparent background

• ​If submitting using a traditional medium (drawing, painting, etc.): Please submit a high-quality scan so it can be accurately digitally traced/recreated.

• All entries become property of the Freedom Festival and artwork may be manipulated for printing.

Artists should take into consideration that only three colors will be used for t-shirt printing and selected artwork may be modified for printing.

Whether you’re a professional designer, a student, or just someone who loves to create, we can’t wait to see your vision for this historic celebration. Let’s make this year’s button one for the ages because after all, it’s time to Party Like It’s 1776!