Updated: Jun 5
By Barbara A. Preston for The Montgomery News | June 4, 2026
Throughout 2026, local towns, state and county parks, schools, and historic sites will celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary with a variety of public programs. Join in on the fun and take advantage of this opportunity to explore local history. From hikes to music to Revolutionary War reenactments and fireworks, The Montgomery News lists a few of the best events below.
June 1-15
Flags for Heroes 250 - Full-size flags will be on display in front of Montgomery High School from June 1-15. Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Montgomery & Rocky Hill.
June 6
Rochambeau Trails Day Van Horn Park in Rocky Hill - The Montgomery Rev 250 Committee will stage an event at the Van Horn Park pavilion on June 6 at 11 am to commemorate the 1780 march through our area by George Washington and his troops with allied French forces led by the Compte de Rochambeau to their decisive victory over the British in Yorktown, Virginia. Montgomery resident Paul Blodgett, chairman of Montgomery’s Revolution 250 Committee, said “George Washington and the Continental Army marched through Rocky Hill and Montgomery Township (both known then as the Western Precinct) four times.”
The event will include a short talk by Montgomery residents Anna Mancilla and Paul Blodgett. [Read Blodgett's article about the four crossings.] Rocky Hill and Montgomery will receive and install Rochambeau Trail commemorative signs later in the summer.
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June 12
Stars, Stripes & Brass The Atlantic Brass Band in concert - Friday, June 12, 7 pm. Montgomery High School. Performing Arts Center Tickets: MontgomeryRotary.org
June 12
The Montgomery Crossroads Living History Program
Montgomery Lower Middle School (LMS) and the Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum will present a living history event titled “The Crossroads of America” at LMS on June 12.
Actors will recreate the lives of everyday heroes during the Revolution in Montgomery and Rocky Hill. LMS is inviting senior (55plus) volunteers to be partnered with a fifth or sixth grade homeroom. Seniors will journey alongside students as they explore local history, engage with interactive presentations, and reflect on how our community continues to grow and evolve. Participants will also work together to paint tiles, kicking off the Rev250 Committee’s Community Art Project.
Throughout the summer, there will be several opportunities for community members to design and paint a tile. When the individual pieces are assembled, one murals will represent a Liberty Tree and the other a Unity Tree. One mural will be hung at the Montgomery Town Hall, and the other will adorn the wall of a barn in Montgomery Veterans Park. Interested seniors can contact Camille Faulknor at cfaulknor@ montgomerynj.gov or call 908.533.9190.
June 19, 20, and 21
Great Ladies of Jazz, The Bacon Brothers, and American Fanfare
Three amazing musical events celebrate America’s 250th anniversary. Don't miss Jazz stars Capathia Jenkins & Aisha de Haas tribute to Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday, Judy Garland, Ginger Rogers, and others on June 19 at 7 pm at Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton St., Princeton.
The Bacon Brothers take the stage on June 20 at 7 pm at Morven. Kevin Bacon (of "Footloose" fame) and his brother Michael Bacon.
Broadway star Julie Benko joins the Princeton Symphony Orchestra on Sunday, June 21 at 3 pm at Morven for a celebration of America's semiquincentennial, presented in partnership with the municipality of Princeton. The program showcases music by some of the country's top composers with themes of Americana, the past, present, and future of America.
June 25
Montgomery Fireworks with Gen. George Washington, Gen. Rochambeau, and Fifer Willam Stives.
The annual fireworks display on the lawn at Montgomery High School will include a special program featuring speeches and photo opportunities with three pivotal characters -- Stives, Washington, and Rochambeau. Some of the actors will be parading around on horseback.
The Rev 250 Committee will host a row of booths where folks can learn more about local organizations, first responders, and history. “While the community knows about Gen. Washington, we need to tell broader stories about the Revolution,” Paul Blodgett told The Montgomery News. “We want to highlight William Stives as a local person who led the Continental army into battle as a fifer, which is one of the most dangerous positions in the war.
"Stives was close to Gen. Local Revolutionary War Hero William Stives (1760-1839) the fife player portrayed by actor Steven Thomas. Washington. In fact, Washington signed Stives’ freedom papers.”
During the Revolution, fifers relayed critical orders across noisy battlefields because the fife was so loud and piercing, it could be heard over the din of combat. Stives was born free, uncommon for the period. He answered the call to revolution as a fifer in the 3rd NJ Regiment and was present at the Battles of Monmouth and Yorktown. Stives became one of the first African American settlers in the Sourland Mountain region, where he and his wife, Catherine, raised 10 children. What is now known as Montgomery Township is partially included in the Sourland Mountain region. The region also includes parts of Hopewell, Hillsborough, Amwell.
June 27
Americana on the Farm
Hidden Spring Lavender & Alpaca Farm will celebrate America's Semiquincentennial on June 27 from 11 am to 4 pm. The event will include alpaca parades throughout the day, an apple pie baking contest, live music, a curated outdoor market of handmades goods and fine crafts, kids' crafts and activities, and aromatic lavender fields. Bring lawn chairs and spend the day.
Listen to a Podcast Titled "Montgomery Crossroads"
Created by Lower Middle School Principal Lisa Romano.
