Santee is adding a full slate of local activities for America’s 250th anniversary, including a Patriotic Porch Contest for residents and businesses, according to East County Magazine and the City of Santee.

The contest invites homes, mobile homes and businesses to decorate porches, yards, balconies, storefronts or other outdoor spaces in red, white and blue. Entries are due June 26 and will be reviewed for creativity, patriotic theme and overall presentation, according to the city information cited by East County Magazine.

The city’s Santee Salutes celebration is scheduled for July 4 from 2 to 10 p.m. at Town Center Community Park East. East County Magazine reported that this year’s event will include expanded America 250 activities, a photo-ready light-up marquee, red, white and blue light-up foam sticks, a free themed dessert and additional fireworks.

Other anniversary pieces include “50 Flags of Freedom” and America 250 flags displayed at Santee Lakes, community mosaic painting sessions for a permanent Mast Park installation, America 250 flags available for purchase through a vendor and 250 limited-edition challenge coins produced by the Santee Community Foundation.

For Santee families, the practical takeaway is that the city’s America 250 calendar now stretches beyond one Fourth of July event. Residents can enter the porch contest this month, join mural-painting dates this summer or plan around the July 4 Santee Salutes event as the city builds toward the national milestone.