Visit Hermann Welcomes American Discovery 250 Relay

In 2026, we celebrate the outdoors and 250 years of American history with the American Discovery 250 Relay.

Relayers will be arriving in Hermann from Jefferson City on Tuesday, September 29th and departing from Hermann to Marthasville on Wednesday, September 30th.

This 6,800-mile relay from California to Delaware will carry a copy of the Declaration of Independence from coast to coast, crossing the Golden Gate Bridge on the 4th of July and ending on Thanksgiving at the Atlantic Ocean. Join the celebration by participating for a day or more in a relay, attending some of the locally-hosted events, or sharing your story of personal growth and adventure. Together, we commemorate America’s past and shape our future.

There are many ways to learn about America. We welcome you as a participant, sponsor, or simply an enthusiast who follows the relay from your couch at home! On any given day, there may be between 5 and 50 participants carrying the baton, and you are welcome to recruit your friends and neighbors.

The relay is a celebration of America and a celebration of the American Discovery Trail — educating people about American history, culture, and nature. This is not a sports or athletic contest, exhibition, festival, parade, or fundraiser. The American Discovery Trail goes past numerous historic sites, through dozens of ecosystems, and it is hosted by hundreds of communities.