Revolution 250 Celebration in Scotch Plains, NJ

Washington Rides Through Scotch Plains for America's 250th

Downtown Scotch Plains has waited 250 years for this moment — and tonight, General George Washington is riding back into town.

On Friday, June 26, Scotch Plains marks the nation's 250th anniversary with an evening that moves from a cemetery ceremony to a parade down Park Avenue to a party on the Village Green. Union County Life is covering the celebration as part of its ongoing Revolution 250 series across Union County.

The evening opens at 4:30 p.m. at the Scotch Plains Baptist Church, 333 Park Ave., where members of the Sons of the American Revolution and the Daughters of the American Revolution will lay a wreath honoring the patriots and soldiers buried on the grounds.

From there, the parade steps off at approximately 5 p.m., heading down Park Avenue toward Town Hall. Leading the procession is John Koopman — a professional reenactor, author, and film veteran — in the role of General George Washington on horseback. He is joined by reenactors portraying French General Rochambeau and a Dragoon Officer.

The date is not an accident. June 26 marks the anniversary of the 1777 Battle of Short Hills, a Revolutionary War engagement fought right here in Scotch Plains.

At 5:30 p.m., Mayor Josh Losardo and township officials will open a time capsule buried at Town Hall on October 14, 1984 — during Scotch Plains' 300th anniversary celebration — and sealed with instructions not to open it until 2026. What's inside remains unknown until that moment.

The evening closes on the Alan M. Augustine Village Green from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The Nettingham Middle School Jazz Ensemble performs. Stage House Tavern provides the food. The Frazee House, Preserve Shady Rest, and local historical organizations will have exhibits on the grounds.

One block away, the Osborn Cannonball House Museum runs extended hours from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Inside, reenactor John Zielenski demonstrates 18th-century gravestone carving — a craft directly tied to Jonathan Hand Osborn, who grew up in the house and became a prominent colonial-era stonecutter.

The celebration carries into Saturday, June 27, at Shady Rest Country Club, with live music, food trucks, and fireworks running from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The program is supported by a 2026 HEART (History, Education, Arts Reaching Thousands) Grant from the Union County Board of County Commissioners and RevolutionNJ — the statewide partnership between the New Jersey Historical Commission and the nonprofit Crossroads of the American Revolution. The Township Council voted in 2023 to become an official RevolutionNJ community.

Find more Scotch Plains events, arts coverage, and community news on Union County Life.

FAQ

What time does the Scotch Plains Revolution 250 celebration start?
The evening begins at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, June 26, with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Scotch Plains Baptist Church, 333 Park Ave. The parade steps off at approximately 5 p.m. Village Green festivities run from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Is the Scotch Plains America 250 celebration free?
Yes. All June 26 events — the parade, time capsule opening, and Village Green activities — are free. The Osborn Cannonball House Museum is also free during its extended hours that evening.

What is in the Scotch Plains time capsule from 1984?
The capsule was buried at Town Hall on October 14, 1984, during the township's 300th anniversary, and sealed with instructions to open it in 2026. The contents have not been publicly revealed ahead of the opening.

Why is June 26 significant to Scotch Plains?
June 26 marks the anniversary of the 1777 Battle of Short Hills, a Revolutionary War engagement fought in Scotch Plains. The date was chosen deliberately for the township's America 250 celebration.

Are there fireworks at the Scotch Plains celebration?
Yes — on Saturday, June 27, at Shady Rest Country Club. Events run from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and include live music, food trucks, and fireworks.