Local students have a unique opportunity to leave their mark on the upcoming July 4th celebrations in Indian River County. In honor of America’s 250th independence anniversary, a new art competition has been announced for the annual Freedom Festival in Sebastian, Florida, offering a generous cash reward to the winning young artist.
The Sebastian Lions Club and the Sebastian Masonic Lodge #232 have partnered to host a student art contest, where the winning design will be prominently featured as the visual centerpiece of the 2026 Freedom Festival.
The talented student whose artwork is selected will receive a $500 cash prize. Furthermore, the winning illustration will be printed on the back of the official 2026 Freedom Festival T-shirts and will serve as the front cover graphic for the event’s official community program.
To be considered for the top prize, participating artists must adhere to the following design guidelines:
- The artwork must distinctly celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday.
- The design is required to incorporate the official insignias of both Lions International and the Masons.
- Submissions must be created in full color.
- The chosen color palette and layout should complement a sky-blue background, which is the designated color for the festival’s T-shirts.
This competition is open to any student who currently resides in Sebastian, regardless of which local, regional, or online school they attend.
All entries must be submitted no later than March 31. Students and parents can email their digital submissions directly to LionSharonOrtiz@hotmail.com. Alternatively, physical artwork entries can be mailed via the postal service to the Sebastian Lions at P.O. Box 180411, Sebastian, FL 32958.
The annual Freedom Festival will take place on July 4, bringing the Treasure Coast community together for a historic milestone celebration filled with local pride.
