Families in Loveland, Symmes Township, and Milford have at least five free ways to mark the nation's 250th birthday at Clermont County Public Library branches in August.

The library system is hosting the events as part of its yearlong America250 series, according to a post on the Clermont County Public Library website. All events are free. Some require preregistration.

Three events have confirmed dates:

Blue Ribbons and Butter Cows: An Ohio State Fair Story — Wednesday, August 5, at 4 p.m. Attendees can craft puffy paint fair food, play games, win prizes, and enjoy snacks.

World War II: Operation Homefront — Thursday, August 6, at 3:30 p.m. The TriState Warbird Museum, a nonprofit aviation museum based in Batavia near the Clermont County Airport, will bring artifacts and present on how life changed for U.S. civilians on the Home Front during the war.

History of Cincinnati Chili — Saturday, August 29, at 11 a.m. Dann Woellert, a Greater Cincinnati food historian and author of "The Authentic History of Cincinnati Chili," will discuss how the dish became a regional icon. Attendees can sample two popular Cincinnati chilis. Woellert, a chemical engineer by trade, has spent roughly a decade researching Cincinnati food origins and has published multiple books through the History Press American Palate series.

Two additional events are listed without confirmed dates: the "Read, White, and Blue Book Bash!" for children up to age 13, featuring books, crafts, and literacy activities, and the "AM250 Ohio Goes to the Fair" Family Fun Carnival with indoor and outdoor games, face painting, a carnival photo booth, lemonade, and snacks.

The library has not specified which of its 10 branches will host each event. The Miami Township Branch at 5920 Buckwheat Road in Milford is the closest CCPL location to Loveland and Symmes Township residents. The branch phone number is 513-248-0700, and event details including registration links are available at clermontlibrary.org.

"I'm excited to become the Director of the Clermont County Public Library and to continue working to connect all ten of our Library branches to our Clermont County community," new Director Andrea Brofft said in her first Director's Note, published July 6. Brofft highlighted the America250 series as among the library's most engaging offerings.

The August programming is part of a broader county push around the national anniversary. The Clermont County Convention and Visitors Bureau received a $5,000 grant from the America 250-Ohio Commission, according to the bureau, to create an interactive historical passport in partnership with 15 museums across the county.