Union County's America 250 Celebration Runs Through Fall

Union County is marking the nation's 250th birthday with a series of cultural events and historical programs running through November.

The celebration kicked off with Colonial Family Fun Day on July 18 at the Deserted Village of Feltville in Berkeley Heights. Despite power outages from the severe July 3 thunderstorm that affected the site, Union County officials confirmed the event proceeded as planned, drawing visitors for Revolutionary War reenactments, colonial games, Lenape cultural exhibits, and photos with historical figures like George Washington and Alexander Hamilton.

"This event was put together by the Union County Board of Commissioners and the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs," said Union County Spokesperson Kelly Martins. The event received partial funding through a grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission.

But Colonial Family Fun Day is just the beginning. Union County Life is tracking four more events through the fall that dig deeper into local Revolutionary War history and colonial traditions:

Music in the Garden takes place August 7 in Union, celebrating the musical heritage of the era. Colonial Beer Making Class is scheduled for October 10 in Union, offering hands-on learning about 18th-century brewing techniques. The New Jersey Militia in the Revolutionary War program comes to New Providence on October 22, examining the role of local forces in the conflict. Finally, The American Revolution in Elizabeth and Vicinity wraps up the series on November 10 in New Providence, highlighting how the war shaped one of Union County's oldest cities.

Residents interested in the full schedule and details about each event can visit the Union County website at ucnj.org/250-Anniversary. The site also hosts information about submitting events related to the 250th celebration and educational resources about local Revolutionary War history.

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