A major airline is taking flight with a new look and a big role in Americas 250th celebration.

Southwest Airlines unveiled a new patriotic aircraft at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport.

It's a part of their partnership with the America 250 initiative.

The plane features a bold red, white, and blue design with a symbolic "17-76" tail number, which all took 11 days and 2,000 hours to paint.

It's more than the look. Southwest announced a push for volunteerism, including a $250,000 investment in nonprofits.

The goal is to make this year the largest year of service in U.S. history.

"That is the noble purpose of Southwest Airlines," says Bob Jordan, Southwest Airlines CEO and president.

"Not just to fly people from point A to point, but to connect people to what matters in their lives."

The plane is part of a series of patriotic aircraft as Southwest marks 55 years in the air.

Veterans in the Baltimore area have a few opportunities this weekend and into early next week to connect with the community, enjoy live music, and be recognized for their service.

While the final weekend of April is relatively light on large-scale veteran-specific programming, several events offer meaningful ways for veterans and their families to get involved.

Veterans looking for a local outing can attend a free performance by the U.S. Navys country and bluegrass band, Country Current.

The performance is part of the Navys outreach efforts, featuring active-duty musicians playing a mix of country, bluegrass, and patriotic music. More info here.

In addition to the Brooklyn Park show, the U.S. Navy Band is performing at multiple locations across the region as part of a national tour tied to Americas 250th anniversary.

Veterans interested in attending additional concerts can check the full schedule for nearby stops.

A larger recognition event is scheduled for early next week at Camden Yards, where the Baltimore Orioles will host their annual Military Appreciation Night.

The Baltimore Orioles typically offer special ticket packages that include commemorative items and in-game tributes to service members. Click here for more info.

Looking ahead to early May, veterans can take part in a large networking and resource event hosted by the University of Maryland Global Campus.

The free event includes access to Veteran Service Organizations, nonprofit groups, and employers, along with workshops and a professional headshot opportunity from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Attendees must register for the event, click here.

As Baltimore moves closer to May and Memorial Day, more veteran-focused events, including ceremonies, resource fairs, and community gatherings, are expected to be announced across the region.

The Smithsonian has reopened the historic National Carousel on the National Mall, a ride with deep ties to Maryland's desegregation history.

The carousel originally operated at Gwynn Oak Park, a segregated amusement park in Baltimore County. After years of protests, ownership agreed to desegregate the park in 1963.

On Aug. 28 of that yearthe same day as Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speechBlack and white children rode the carousel together for the first time.

"This was 10 minutes away from my house," Charlene Harven a neighbor says.

"So when I could, I enjoyed that. I love today that it's going to be and that it's been restored after all these decades. I'm 72 now and unfortunately I do remember segregation, but I also now you know I am a part of the integration and I drive by that area even now sometimes and just remember the good times we had there," Harven says.

The Smithsonian unveiled the restored carousel in celebration of America's 250th anniversary. It had been closed for preservation work since 2023.

The carousel is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day. Tickets to ride are $6.

Fourth-grade students from across Baltimore stepped out of the classroom and into history today at Fort McHenry.

It's all part of "Explore Day", and a great ramp-up to celebrating America 250.

The event brought kids to the national monument to learn about Maryland's history and culture.

Students met with local organizations, explored interactive displays, and learned about everything from the Chesapeake Bay to the story behind the national anthem.

Students received an Every Kid Outdoors pass.

"So this may be their first introduction to a national park, but once they have that pass for the next year, they and their family can go to Shenandoah. They can go to Acadia. They can go to a lot of different places. So it opens up a new world for them, which is really rewarding," said Shannon McLucas, a Park Ranger at Fort McHenry.

This is a one-day event made possible with grant funding from the National Park Foundation.

The goal is to connect the next generation to parks while bringing classroom learning to life.

To celebrate the nation's 250th birthday, Maryland State Parks has a photographic scavenger hunt to get you around the state that's been referred to as "America in Miniature."

The challenge kicks off today, Wednesday, April 23, and goes through November 15.

You can register online for the challenge, and there is a requested donation of $10 per person.

There are 17 categories of challenges, places to visit around the state, and symbols to find at state parks and take pictures with.

Each photo you take is worth a certain number of points, and the goal is to get to 250.

After submitting your photos, you can be entered into a prize drawing with different rewards available, including gift certificates for camping stays and a 2027 Maryland State Parks Annual Pass.

Find more details here.

Another adventure being offered by Maryland State Parks for the 250th Anniversary is the Miles for Maryland Trail Challenge.

It challenges visitors to the Maryland State Parks to walk, hike, or run 250 miles in the Parks before the end of 2026.

You can register at the DNR online shop for $25.

The Maryland Park Service is inviting you to take on a truly historic adventure in 2026: walking or hiking 250 miles, one mile for each year since the founding of the United States.

The Miles for Maryland Trail Challenge is part of the nationwide America 250 celebration, marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

The challenge is on now and runs through December 31, 2026 and is open to individuals, families, and teams. All 250 miles must be completed inside Maryland State Parks during the calendar year.

You have to register to make it official. Participants can sign up through the DNR Outdoor Store with a $25 registration fee, which includes a keepsake item.

Those who complete the 250-mile goal in 2026 will be eligible for a grand prize drawing. Extra incentive: submit photos with your mileage reports to enter monthly prize drawings.

Take "Myles" with you. He's your hiking buddy.

It's important to note, registration does not include park entry; park fees or passes may apply.

Known as America in Miniature, Maryland offers nearly every type of landscape, making it a perfect backdrop for a 250-mile journey celebrating our nations history.

Whether you explore rugged mountain trails, coastal marshes, or historic battlefields, each mile can be a step toward honoring our past and embracing the outdoors.

Plan ahead: Some parks fill to capacity on summer weekends and holidays. Day-use reservations may be required at certain sites between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

This story was assisted by artificial intelligence. All reporting and editorial decisions were made by a Scripps News journalist.