Scotch Plains Marks Flag Day and America 250 in June 2026

On June 14, Scotch Plains residents are invited to pause and fly their flags — and later this month, to gather for two days of community celebration marking 250 years of American independence.

Councilman Roc White shared a message with the Scotch Plains community ahead of Flag Day, and Union County Life is publishing it in full so residents can learn what is planned for June 26 and 27.

"The flag belongs to all of them. It belongs to all of us," White wrote, reflecting on the soldiers, first responders, teachers, and volunteers who make Scotch Plains the community it is. A Gulf War veteran and U.S. Marine, White tied the meaning of Flag Day directly to the township's own history and to the people who have served under the flag in every generation.

He also called on residents to see civic participation as part of that same tradition. "Democracy is not a spectator sport," he wrote. "It requires participation — in our local elections, in our town hall meetings, in the conversations we have with our neighbors."

The bigger celebration comes later in June, with two full days of events tied to America's 250th anniversary.

Friday, June 26 begins at 4:30 p.m. with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Scotch Plains Baptist Church, located at 333 Park Ave. The ceremony honors Revolutionary War patriots buried there, and members of the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution will be in attendance.

A parade led by a professional George Washington reenactor on horseback will then move down Park Avenue to Town Hall. There, the township will open a time capsule sealed on October 14, 1984 — during Scotch Plains' 300th anniversary — with instructions to open it in 2026.

From 6 to 7:30 p.m., the celebration continues on the Alan M. Augustine Village Green. The Stage House Tavern, built in 1737, will donate food for the event. The Nettingham Middle School Jazz Ensemble will perform live, and exhibits from local historical organizations will be on display, including the Frazee House, Preserve Shady Rest, and the Scotch Plains and Fanwood Historical Society.

Saturday, June 27 brings the celebration to Shady Rest Country Club at 820 Jerusalem Rd., a building that predates the American Revolution. Live music and the township's annual fireworks are planned.

Councilman White encouraged every family to display the flag on June 14 and to share its history with their children. "In this remarkable year of America 250," he wrote, "let us fly our flags high and carry our values even higher."

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