New Hope and Lambertville are preparing for one of the region’s largest Independence Day celebrations as the neighboring river towns come together for a three-day festival commemorating the nation’s 250th anniversary.
America Celebrates Inc., a newly formed nonprofit headquartered in New Hope, in collaboration with the New Hope Chamber of Commerce, will present 'America Celebrates 250,' a free public event running July 3-5. The celebration will feature historical reenactments, educational programs, live entertainment, fireworks, drone shows, a parade and a dragon boat race spanning both sides of the Delaware River.
Organizers expect between 8,000 and 10,000 visitors throughout the weekend as hotels, restaurants and businesses in both communities prepare for a busy holiday.
"It's truly a twin towns celebration when we are talking about the 250th," said Dick Creter, president of America Celebrates Inc. "We have such a sister relationship with Lambertville that it makes sense to celebrate this special anniversary together."
The celebration will highlight the deep Revolutionary War connections shared by both communities.
"Both Lambertville and New Hope are so steeped in Revolutionary history," Creter said. "Coryell's Ferry was back and forth between both towns during that time period, as were George Washington and his troops on several occasions."
Michael Sklar, president of the New Hope Chamber of Commerce, said the Delaware River served as a military highway during the Revolutionary War, transporting information, supplies and soldiers.
"Also, Benedict Arnold and George Washington had many strategic meetings in this area," Sklar said. "During that time, Benedict Arnold was vital to helping Washington win the battle at Washington Crossing that turned the war in our favor."
The festivities begin Friday, July 3, with educational programming and performances taking place simultaneously in both towns.
In New Hope, a stage will be set up along the Promenade between Stella and the Bucks County Playhouse beginning at 1 p.m.
"The programming at the Promenade Stage will be mainly educational, including discussions from historians and reenactors about the Revolutionary War history shared by New Hope and Lambertville," Creter said.
Across the river in Lambertville, a larger stage will be constructed in the Lambertville Station parking lot overlooking the Delaware River. Musical and theatrical performances will take place throughout the day, including two performances by Roxey Ballet presenting "The New Jersey Ballad," a dance interpretation of Washington's Crossing from New Jersey's perspective.
"There are 20 performers in this dance ensemble," Creter said. "It's really worthwhile seeing."
Music Mountain Theatre performers and a live band will perform between the Roxey Ballet presentations. Creter said the performances are intentionally staggered so visitors enjoying New Hope's attractions during the first show can walk across the bridge and still catch the second performance.
Friday's events will culminate in a synchronized fireworks and drone show beginning at 9 p.m.
Using 200 drones choreographed to patriotic music and synchronized fireworks launched from two barges on the Delaware River, the production will create animated images depicting key moments and symbols from American history. Creter said the immersive presentation, enhanced by stadium-quality speakers positioned on both sides of the river and portable speakers along the bridge, is designed to make spectators feel surrounded by the experience whether they watch from Pennsylvania or New Jersey.
"This isn't just fireworks people are watching in the distance," Creter said. "The music, the drones and the fireworks are all coordinated together through one system, so the audience will feel fully part of the experience."
Creter said organizers believe the combination of synchronized drones, riverfront fireworks, historical storytelling and audio projection will create an experience unlike anything previously presented in the New Hope-Lambertville area.
According to Creter, the best viewing locations will be along the bridge, near the New Hope promenade and outside Lambertville Station.
To accommodate the expected crowds, shuttle buses will operate throughout the day from parking areas at New Hope-Solebury High School.
Celebrations continue Saturday, July 4, with a Revolutionary War-themed pub crawl beginning at 2 p.m. at Lambertville Station, which will offer a cash bar.
Historical reenactors portraying George Washington, Anna Strong, Samuel Adams and Admiral de Grasse will speak throughout the afternoon as participants travel from Lambertville to New Hope.
"Everybody who attends the pub crawl will receive an engraved commemorative mug," Creter said.
Participants and reenactors will make their way across the bridge into New Hope, where the celebration continues at the Promenade Stage with first-person accounts of wartime leadership, the Culper Spy Ring and Revolutionary-era tavern culture.
The pub crawl will arrive at the New Hope American Legion lower parking lot at 41 New St. around 4 p.m., in time for the evening concert.
The Sam Ryan Band opens the night, fronted by New Hope native Sam Ryan, who tours nationally as lead singer of the three-time Grammy-winning band Blood, Sweat & Tears. Forever Donna: The Ultimate Donna Summer Tribute starring Rainere Martin follows, and Dancing Dream, a New York City-based ABBA tribute band, closes the show around 10 p.m. Admission to the concert area is $10 (free for pub crawl attendees). Food vendors and a full bar will be available on site.
Sunday's festivities begin at 10 a.m. with the Freedom Parade starting near the American Legion in New Hope.
Leading the parade will be more than a dozen Revolutionary War reenactors portraying historic figures and Continental soldiers, including George Washington and Benjamin Franklin, accompanied by fife and drum performers. Other highlights include antique fire vehicles and the Ferry Market ferry carrying current and former mayors from both towns. The parade will also feature local scout troops, firefighters and veterans organizations.
"The parade will go down Main Street to Bridge Street, then cross the bridge to Lambertville Station," Creter said.
One of the weekend's most unusual attractions will be a Revolutionary War-themed dragon boat race on the Delaware River following the parade.
The race will feature two dragon boats staffed by teams of 20 rowers, along with a drummer and steerer aboard each vessel. Organizers plan to transform the competition into a symbolic Revolutionary-era showdown, with one boat representing American patriots and the other portraying British forces.
"The steerer and drummer on one American boat will wear Revolutionary costumes and carry the American flag," Creter said. "The other boat will have a British flag and redcoats on it."
Spectators gathered along the Lambertville riverfront and bridge will be able to watch the boats race toward the bridge in front of the main stage area, with the first vessel to pass underneath declared the winner.
Following the race, current and former mayors from New Hope and Lambertville will participate in closing ceremonies that include readings from the Declaration of Independence and a simultaneous bell-ringing ceremony on both sides of the river.
The weekend will conclude with performers from Bucks County Playhouse and Music Mountain Theatre leading the crowd in a rendition of "God Bless America."
Creter said the celebration is designed not only to commemorate the nation's founding but also to showcase the character and hospitality of the neighboring river towns.
"I want visitors who come here to see how special the rivertowns of New Hope and Lambertville are," he said, "and to see the history that goes back more than 250 years. They will also experience a culture that is welcoming to all."
Sklar added, "I'd like visitors who come to use this opportunity to explore New Hope, our artists, our quaint shops, our restaurants, all our uniqueness, and to see all that New Hope has to offer."
For more information, visit americacelebrates.org/our-events.
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