By Anthony Stoeckert
Independence Day is one of the highlights of the summer, a day for barbecues, friends, family and fun. And of course fireworks, and our area has plenty of firework displays that are sure to get you “ooh-ing” and “ah-ing” as the skies burst alive with color.
And with the Princeton area being such an important part of the Revolutionary War, there are also events this weekend where you can learn about a little history.
So sit back, bring your cooler (and bug spray), and enjoy the festivities to enjoy this weekend.
The Greater Lambertville-New Hope Chamber of Commerce will present fireworks July 3. The fireworks light up the sky in Lambertville and its Bucks County neighbor New Hope. Many of the shops and restaurants extend their hours on the firework evenings.
A Colonial Ice Cream Demonstration will take place at the Johnson Ferry House at Washington Crossing State Park, 355 Washington Crossing-Pennington Road, Titusville, July 4, 1-5 p.m. Food historian Susan McLellan Plaisted of Heart to Hearth Cookery will make ice cream using recipes and techniques of the late 18th century. For more information, call 609-737-2515.
Princeton Battlefield’s Independence Day celebration will take place July 4, 11 a.m. The event will feature Revolutionary War-period soldiers demonstrating drills, artillery and flintlock muskets. Volunteers at the Clarke House will demonstrate domestic skills of the Revolutionary era. Children can try period games. The Clarke House and Arms of Revolution exhibit will be open for tour. The Battlefield is located at 500 Mercer Road, Princeton. For more information, call 609-921-0074.
Morven Museum & Garden will host its July 4 Jubilee, July 4, noon to 3 p.m. Children can sign the “Declaration of Independence,” live bluegrass music on the front porch, creative project for kids, a dramatic presentation on “Revolutionary Tea,” and meet and greet with “Benjamin Franklin,” food for sale by Oink and Moo barbecue, demonstrations of early American domestic life. Admission is free. For more, go to www.morven.org; 609-924-8144.
The Pennington Parks and Recreation Commission will host its Fourth of July races at the Pennington School, July 4. Participants 3 to 12 years old should register at 9:15 a.m. prior to the commencement of races. Relays, races, and the long jump competition will begin at 9:30 a.m. For further information, contact Michelle Needham at 609-818-1450.
Somerset County’s Fireworks will be held at North Branch Park in Bridgewater, July 4, 6 p.m., with fireworks beginning at 9:30 p.m.
Washington Crossing Historic Park’s Independence Day celebration will include historians demonstrating their crafts, and tours of historic buildings. Highlights of the day will include a reading of the Declaration of Independence at noon and the christening of a recently refurbished Durham boat. The park is located at routes 32 and 532, Solebury Township, Pennsylvania. Admission costs $8, $4 children 5-11, free for children under 5. For more information, go to washingtoncrossingpark.org or call 215-493-4076.
Howell Living History Farm will mark Independence Day, July 4. The farm’s lanes will be traveled by horse-drawn surreys. Visitors can climb aboard the surreys at the farm’s Visitor Center and ride to the barnyard where farmhouse tours, music and a picket fence art show await them. For more information, go to www.mercercountyparks.org or call 609-737-3299.
The Bucks County Playhouse will host a free concert in the courtyard, July 4, noon-5 p.m. The lineup of musicians will feature five local artists, including Brad Staudle, Matt Setzer, Sugar Burns, The Meddlers and Moonbreaker. The concert also will feature a performance by the cast of Bucks County Playhouse’s Youth Theatre Company, performing excerpts from Disney’s “Aladdin Jr.,” running at the Playhouse from July 22 to Aug. 2. The Playhouse Riverview Café will be open throughout the day. The playhouse is located at 70 S. Main St., New Hope, Pennsylvania.
Cranbury Township will host fireworks, July 5, in Village Park. The Mercer County Symphonic Band will play at about 6 p.m. Fireworks begin at dusk. Please bring blankets, chairs and picnic dinners. No alcoholic beverages are permitted in the park. Rain date is July 6.
