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West Windsor-Plainsboro High school south celebrates its second straight Group 3 boys tennis title after defeating Millburn 3-2.

Buddhidinesh delivers again for Pirates tennis

By Justin Feil

Karthik Buddhidinesh isn’t the top player for the High School South boys tennis team, but the senior certainly has come up aces in state championships.

A year after stepping in at third singles in the final week

to help the Pirates close out an unbeaten season with a Group 3 state title, Buddhidinesh was at it again.

After moving into the lineup midseason with freshman Saheb Manku at second doubles, they pulled out the final point for the Pirates as they repeated as Group 3 champi-

ons with another 3-2 win over Millburn. Buddhidinesh and Manku won, 7-6, 6-3.

“It means a lot,” Buddhidinesh said. “That’s our whole goal for the whole season. We’ve been working really hard day in, day out, and during practice. So when we

See TENNIS, Page 18

History takes center stage for America’s 250th

Discover the people,

places and events commemorating the anniversary

By Bill Sanservino

Before there was a country, there was a Deleware River crossing in the dark, a capital city waiting in fear, a battlefield outside Princeton and a network of farms, taverns, churches and meetinghouses where ordinary people were pulled into extraordinary events.

Some 250 years later, those places are not just names in a history book.

They are parks, libraries, museums, downtown streets, ballfields, old houses and river towns that still shape daily life in central New Jersey.

America’s semiquincentennial — the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence — will be marked nationally this July 4. But in this region, the anniversary is especially local.

Trenton, Princeton and the surrounding communities throught the region were not bystanders to the Revolution. They were part of the ground on which the future of the country was marched over, fought for and, eventually, claimed.

The events listed below run from July 1 through the end of the year, and range from fireworks, concerts and public readings of the Declaration of Independence to museum exhibitions, walking tours, library programs, historic-house visits, living history events and family activities.

Some are celebrations. Some are invitations to look more closely at complicated history. Many are both. Together, they offer a chance to revisit the Revolution not as something distant, but as something that happened here.

The following events have been compiled from area libraries, museums, historical organizations and regional America 250 programs. They are organized below with listings arranged in

See 250TH, Page 4

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chronological order within each section.

Plainsboro

Summer at the Museum: America Turns 250, Sunday, July 5, 1 to 4 p.m.: The Historic Wicoff House Museum, 641 Plainsboro Road, will celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with an afternoon of crafts, games and other family activities at the museum.

The program is part of the museum’s summer programming tied to the semiquincentennial and gives families a way to mark the anniversary through hands-on activities and local history. wicoffhouseplainsboro.com.

Museum Summer Camp, Monday, Aug. 24, 1 to 5 p.m. (also Aug. 25-28, 1 to 5 p.m.): The Historic Wicoff House Museum, 641 Plainsboro Road, will offer a summer camp for children ages 5 to 11 in honor of America’s 250th anniversary. Campers will step back to 1776 and explore how everyday people lived, worked and created during the nation’s founding era. The camp includes hands-on crafts, art projects, games and experiments inspired by the late 18th century. The fee is $50 for residents and nonresidents. plainsboronj.com.

Summer History Faire, Saturday, Aug. 29, 1 to 4 p.m.: The Historic Wicoff

House Museum, 641 Plainsboro Road, will host a Summer History Faire following its America 250 summer camp week.

Details are limited in the museum bulletin, but the event is part of the museum’s summer history programming and should serve as a family-friendly way to continue the semiquincentennial focus at the Wicoff House. wicoffhouseplainsboro.com.

West Windsor

West Windsor Time Capsule Burial, Saturday, July 4, 1:30 p.m.: The Historical Society of West Windsor, 50 Southfield Road, will dedicate a 50-year time capsule to be opened in 2076.

From April through June, the society asked the community to contribute items reflecting modern West Windsor as part of Revolution West Windsor, the township’s semiquincentennial effort. The burial ceremony gives residents a chance to mark America’s 250th anniversary by preserving a snapshot of local life for the next generation. westwindsorhistory.com.

Pie Contest: Red, White, Blue, Saturday, July 4: West Windsor’s red, white and blue pie contest at the West Windsor Community Farmers’ Market is part of Revolution West Windsor programming. The contest marks the nation’s 250th anniversary through a community food tradition, inviting residents to celebrate

with a patriotic theme at one of the township’s regular gathering places. westwindsorfarmersmarket.org.

“11 for Semiquin” Exhibition Opening Reception, Friday, July 10, 7 to 8:30 p.m.: West Windsor Arts, 952 Alexander Road, will host the opening reception for “11 for Semiquin,” an exhibition connected to Revolution West Windsor.

The exhibition features 11 artists selected by juror Tricia Fagan to create new work in response to local museums and historic sites. Partner organizations and historical reenactors are expected at the reception.

The project uses contemporary art to respond to local history and the nation’s 250th anniversary, bringing the semiquincentennial into a cultural and community arts setting. westwindsorarts.org.

Trenton

Freedoms Reframed, ongoing through Sunday, July 26: The 1719 William Trent House Museum, 15 Market St., is presenting “Freedoms Reframed,” an art and poetry exhibition commemorating 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

A collaboration between the Trent House and Art Against Racism, the exhibition is curated by Judith K. Brodsky and Rhinold L. Ponder and features artists

and poets of different racial backgrounds, nationalities, genders and gender expressions. Their work reflects on the Declaration’s promise of the right to pursue happiness while examining freedom, love, education, safety, economic dignity, health care, self-definition and identity.

Presented at the site of an early 18thcentury slaveholding plantation, the exhibition asks visitors to consider how America has expanded, withheld and redefined rights and freedoms over the past 250 years, and to imagine a more equitable future. The exhibition is open during regular museum hours, Wednesday through Sunday from 1 to 4:30 p.m., and by appointment. williamtrenthouse.org.

The Crossing: A Seat at the Table, Thursday, July 2, 7 p.m. (also Friday, July 3, 3 p.m.): A 60-minute concert preview of “The Crossing,” a new American musical inspired by Washington’s crossing of the Delaware and the Ten Crucial Days campaign, will be presented at Mill Hill Playhouse, 205 E. Front St.

The musical reimagines the crossing through the diverse and often overlooked voices of the Continental Army. The show centers in part on Thomas Paine, whose “American Crisis” helped inspire the victories at Trenton and Princeton, and features William “Billy” Lee, George Washington’s See 250th, Page 7

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We are a newsroom of your neighbors. The West Windsor & Plainsboro News is for local people, by local people. As part of the community, the News does more than just report the news—it connects businesses with their customers, organizations with their members and neighbors with one another. Our staﬀ sets out to make our town a closer place by giving readers a reliable source to turn to when they want to know what’s going on in their neighborhood.

EDITOR

Bill Sanservino (Ext. 104)

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Justin Feil

Community News Service

24 S. Main St., Suite 2 Allentown NJ 08501 Phone: (609) 396-1511

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News: cns-news@centraljersey.media

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The West Windsor & Plainsboro News is an award-winning publication. © Copyright 2026 LTD Media. All rights reserved. Nothing herein may be reproduced in whole or part without written permission of the publisher.

17,000 copies of the West Windsor & Plainsboro News are mailed or bulk-distributed to the residences and businesses of Plainsboro and West Windsor 12 times a year.

TO ADVERTISE call (609) 396-1511, Ext. 110 or e-mail: cns-advertise@centraljersey.media

RWJUH Hamilton July Healthy Living / Community Education Programs

ASK THE DIETITIAN

Wednesday, Jul. 1; 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Wednesday, Jul. 22; 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Monday, Jul. 27; 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Meet with our Registered Dietitian for a 30 minute appointment to discuss your unique nutritional needs. Lori Hager, MS,RDN.

ALZHEIMER’S SUPPORT GROUP

Tuesday, Jul. 7; 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Wednesday, Jul. 15; 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Support and information for family and friends of people with Alzheimer’s disease. A caregiver specialist will conduct these interactive groups on crucial topics and facilitate a supportive group experience.

BREAST CANCER SUPPORT GROUP

Tuesday, Jul. 7; 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Presented by our oncology nurse navigator and certiﬁed oncology social worker at The Cancer Center at RWJUH Hamilton, this support group welcomes those who have received a breast cancer diagnosis in all phases of their journey, and offers participants an opportunity to share personal experiences, helpful resources, and methods of coping with feelings of anxiety and distress. Please call 609.584.6680 to conﬁrm attendance.

NUTRITION STRATEGIES FOR DIABETES

Monday, Jul. 13; 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Tuesday, Jul. 28; 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Join our monthly series to learn how to manage and control your diabetes through dietary choices. Learn the basics of diabetes and how nutrition affects blood sugar levels. Gain practical tips for meal planning and preparation to control your diabetes.

WII GAMES

Monday, Jul. 13; 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Friday, Jul. 24; 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Join members of the RWJ Rehabilitation Hamilton team for this fun hour of Wii games and learn about safe mechanics. Mastering body movement is the key to safe living.

BARIATRIC

WEIGHT LOSS SUPPORT GROUP

Tuesday, Jul. 14; 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

If you are considering surgery, are in the process of preparing or have undergone surgery, you are welcome to attend our group. Family, friends and support persons are also welcome. This is a great opportunity to meet others going through the same weight loss journey. We focus on achieving optimal wellness through weight loss surgery. We will discuss different topics on nutrition, exercise and healthy living behaviors.

YOGA NIDRA

Tuesday, Jul. 14; 6:00 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.

Yoga Nidra, also known as “yogic sleep,” guides you into a state of deep relaxation that hovers between wakefulness and sleep. This practice, rooted in ancient yogic traditions, promotes profound rest and healing and resets your nervous system while lying down without requiring complex poses. Please bring a yoga mat, pillows, blankets or anything else to make yourself comfortable. Fee: $15, must pay online with registration.

MINDFULNESS MEDITATION FOR BEGINNERS

Wednesday, Jul. 15; 1:00 p.m. - 1:45 p.m.

Learn how to help heal your body and relax your busy mind.

CREATIVE ARTS: JUNK JOURNALING

Thursday, Jul. 16; 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Junk journaling is a stress reducing activity that allows individuals to express themselves through creativity. This unique way of journaling involves repurposing old items and transforming them into beautiful and personal works of art.

EVERYDAY NUTRITION

Friday Jul. 17, 24, 31, Aug. 7, 21, 28; 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Building Healthy Habits is an evidencebased education program for adults seeking a healthy lifestyle. This sixsession workshop is designed to teach about mindful eating, key nutrients, food labels, foods swaps, and more. Participants will be offered food samples, recipes, and take-home materials from a Registered Dietitian. Participants are encouraged to attend all six classes.

FEED YOUR HEART: COOKING FOR HEART HEALTH

Monday, Jul. 20; 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Join our bimonthly heart healthy cooking class. Have some fun learning how to cook nutritious and delicious hearthealthy meals. Explore heart-friendly ingredients and cooking techniques.

DINNER WITH A NURSE PRACTIONER: CLEAR YOUR MIND BY MINDING YOUR GUT

Monday, Jul. 20; 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Join Ekta Makani, FNP-C, MSN, APN, a member of RWJBarnabas Health Medical Group at RWJBarnabas Health Medical Associates Robbinsville, for an engaging lecture exploring the powerful connection between gut health and mental health.

Discover how the gut and brain interact, and how everyday lifestyle choices can affect overall wellness.

PREDIABETES CONNECT GROUP

Tuesday, Jul. 21; 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

This group is for you to connect with others affected. Share and explore ways to improve lifestyle changes.

GYNECOLOGICAL CANCER SUPPORT GROUP

Tuesday, Jul. 21; 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

This group brings individuals with gynecologic cancer the support, education, and empowerment they need to move along the path to recovery. Topics discussed include coping with the emotional impact of cancer, adjusting to changes during and after treatment, and managing concerns about recurrence. For more information or to register, call 609-584-6680. This program takes place at The Cancer Center at RWJUH Hamilton, 2575 Klockner Rd., Hamilton, NJ.

AM I AT RISK? TYPE 2 DIABETES SCREENING

Tuesday, Jul. 21; 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Nearly 98 million American adults have prediabetes, and almost 90% are unaware of their condition. Understanding your risk is vital. Come in for a Type 2 Diabetes Risk Assessment. Those who score moderate risk or higher will receive a complimentary A1C screening. Must call or email to schedule an appointment.

WOMEN’S BOOK CLUB: “THEO OF GOLDEN” BY ALLEN LEVI

Wednesday, Jul. 22; 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Please come prepared to discuss the book: “a beautifully crafted novel about the invisible threads of kindness that bind us all.”

WISE WOMEN DISCUSSION GROUP

Thursday, Jul. 23; 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Join our group of lively woman as we discuss a given subject. This month’s theme:“Let Freedom Ring; What does freedom look like to you?”

STROKE SUPPORT GROUP

Tuesday, Jul. 28; 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

This group is a place for survivors and caregivers to build a community. The group will share personal experiences, feelings, recovery strategies, and ﬁrsthand information on managing life after stroke. Meetings will be facilitated by two outpatient rehabilitation therapists: Ashley Sarrol SpeechLanguage Pathologist, and Allyson Panikowski-Berry Occupational Therapist. Survivors and care partners at any stage of recovery are encouraged to attend.

SACRED BREATHWORK

Wednesday, Jul. 29; 6:00 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.

Sacred breathwork can help release negative patterns and fears that keep us stuck. Join us for this powerful work. Please bring a yoga mat, low beach chair, blankets or anything else that will make you comfortable. Chairs will also be available. Fee: $15, must pay online with registration.

*All programs require registration and are held at the RWJ Fitness & Wellness Center, 3100 Quakerbridge Rd., Hamilton, NJ, unless otherwise noted.

A SOCIAL HOUR ESPECIALLY FOR SENIORS

Wednesday, July 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29; 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Whether we enjoy casual conversation or share deep discussions about current challenges or obstacles, this group is a great place to get to know members and to be part of a weekly program. Join us on all the dates, two, or even one. It’s your choice. New members are always welcome.

TAI CHI CLASSES

Thursday, July 2 & 23; 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.

AGELESS GRACE: SEATED EXERCISE FOR THE BRAIN & BODY

Monday, July 6 & 20; 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Ageless Grace is a practice designed to intentionally nourish the brain-body connection and support overall health and wellbeing. It helps reduce stress, keep the brain agile, and the body responsive. When body, mind, spirit, and emotions are in balance, health and well-being become more attainable.

CHAIR YOGA DANCE

Wednesday, July 8; 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Please join us for Chair Yoga Dance, a low-impact aerobic exercise class for all fitness levels. This class will be led by a Better Health Program member who is a Certified group fitness instructor. Limited availability.

GENEALOGY WORKGROUP

Thursday, July 9; 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Everything is better with friends! Whether you are just beginning to research your family history or are already well on your journey, bring your materials and laptop, and join us. This is a space to share your successes and challenges, or simply work on your project alongside a supportive, friendly community of fellow researchers.

SOCRATES CAFÉ

Friday, July 10; 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

This class encourages open discussion and the sharing of thoughts, beliefs, ideas and personal

experiences. An unofﬁcial mantra is that we learn best when we ask questions and explore them together. This is a safe and welcoming space where all viewpoints are respected. Come with an open mind, respect for one another and curiosity about where the conversation may lead. This program will be led by a Better Health Program member.

GAME TIME!

Friday, July 10 and 24; 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Join us for good wholesome fun – let’s play a game! Sharpen your skills or jump back into something you always enjoyed. Board games will be available, or you are welcome to bring your own. A great way to meet new friends or bring friends with you.

Tuesday, July 14 and 21; 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. OR 2:45 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

MEDITATION CLASSES

Tuesday, July 14 and 21; 11:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. OR 2:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

CHAIR YOGA

Tuesday, July 14 and 21; 12:00 p.m. - 12:45 p.m. OR 1:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.

A BETTER HEALTH PROGRAM: GROUNDS FOR SCULPTURE MANDALA WORKSHOP, RWJUH HAMILTON

Wednesday, July 15; 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, July 16; 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Join us for a Mandala Workshop, where art meets meditation! This hands-on session will guide you through the process of creating beautiful, intricate mandalas—a powerful tool for relaxation, selfexpression, and mindfulness.

Scan QR code to view, learn more & register on-line for the programs listed above. Or visit rwjbh.org/HamiltonPrograms Email CommunityEdHam@rwjbh.org or call 609-584-5900 to learn more

YOGA

FRIDAY, JUNE 26 THROUGH SUNDAY, JULY 5, 2026

MONDAY – FRIDAY 5 PM – 11 PM

SATURDAY/SUNDAY/JULY 4 TH 3 PM – 11 PM

MERCER COUNTY PARK WEST WINDSOR TOWNSHIP, NJ

FREE LIVE MUSIC NIGHTLY

7/1 SHORTY LONG AND THE JERSEY HORNS @ 7pm

7/2 FRONTIERS @ 7:30pm

7/3 FEARLESS – THE TAYLOR SWIFT EXPERIENCE @7pm

7/4 FLOWER POWER @ 3PM | PURE PETTY @ 7pm

7/5 SIDEWAYS WILLY @ 3pm

7/5 SENSATIONAL SOUL CRUISERS @ 7pm

valet and constant companion, and Jacob Francis, a New Jersey-born soldier who later served in the Hunterdon County militia.

The preview is part of a summer series leading to the musical’s world premiere at Patriots Theater at the War Memorial on Dec. 26, the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Trenton. Tickets are $35. thecrossingmusical.com.

NJ250: Living Documents, Evolving Rights, Thursday, July 2, 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. (also Monday, July 6, through Wednesday, July 8, 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.): The New Jersey State Library, 185 W. State St., will offer guided tours of “NJ250: Living Documents, Evolving Rights,” an exhibition presented in partnership with the New Jersey State Archives.

The exhibition examines New Jersey’s constitutional history from 1776 to 2026, focusing on the state’s three constitutions, adopted in 1776, 1844 and 1947. It explores how ideas about freedom, rights, representation, voting and government changed as New Jersey moved through the Revolutionary era, the reform era and the modern era. njstatelib.org.

Trenton Heritage Week, Friday, July 3, through Wednesday, July 8: Trenton’s signature America 250 celebration will highlight both the city’s Revolutionary

view three new exhibits highlighting the role of the Old Barracks and New Jersey in American history. The museum will also display George Washington’s Inaugural Flower Arch for the first time in decades, along with a recreated arch made of handdyed wood flowers representing donors.

The vocal duo Liberty Tree, featuring Stacy Roth and Bob Dupre, will perform “Welcome Mighty Chief” at 10:30 a.m. The day will include living-history demonstrations, community activities and opportunities to explore the restored site as the museum welcomes guests back for the semiquincentennial. barracks.org.

Cultural Heritage Parade and Democracy Reborn Festival, Saturday, July 4, 11:30 a.m.: Trenton’s Fourth of July celebration begins with an 11:30 a.m. kickoff ceremony behind City Hall, followed by the parade at noon.

War legacy and its modern multicultural character.

The week is built around Trenton’s central role in the American Revolution, including the Battle of Trenton and the city’s later importance as a place where the Declaration of Independence was publicly proclaimed. The celebration culminates July 8 with the 250th annual proclamation of the Declaration at the same location where it was first publicly read in Trenton

in 1776. trentonnj.org.

Old Barracks Grand Reopening Celebration, Saturday, July 4, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: The Old Barracks Museum, 101 Barrack St., will celebrate Independence Day and America’s 250th anniversary with a grand reopening following a yearlong restoration project.

The official opening is scheduled for 10 a.m., when local officials will help reopen the gates. Visitors will be invited to pre-

The parade will include more than 40 marching units, including bands, floats, reenactors, circus performers, antique cars and representatives of cultural and civic organizations. Luddie H. Austin, state commander of the New Jersey Veterans of Foreign Wars, former Trenton police sergeant and decorated New Jersey Army National Guard veteran, will serve as grand marshal.

The Democracy Reborn Festival begins

See 250th, Page 9

The Old Barracks Museum in Trenton will hold its official Grand Reopening Celebration on saturday, july 4.

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at 1:30 p.m. in Mill Hill Park with food, music, an escape room, soccer and hockey clinics, crafters and civic organization displays. The festival is intended to connect Trenton’s Revolutionary history with the many cultures and communities that shape the city today. Free parking will be available in the city’s five municipal parking garages. trentonnj.org.

The Power to Change: Revolutionary Stories from the New Jersey State Archives, Sunday, July 5, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (also Tuesday, July 7, and Wednesday, July 8, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.): The New Jersey State Museum, 205 W. State St., will present an exhibition developed in partnership with the New Jersey State Archives to mark New Jersey’s role in the American Revolution and the nation’s 250th anniversary.

The exhibition features rarely seen federal and state charters, documents and artifacts connected to the Revolutionary era. It explores how Revolutionary ideals shaped government and how those ideas have continued to be interpreted, challenged and reimagined across generations.

Heritage Churches of Trenton Walking Tour, Sunday, July 5, 3 p.m.: A Heritage Week walking tour beginning at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, 140 N. Warren St., will explore historic churches and religious sites in downtown Trenton.

The tour follows the ecumenical service and gives visitors a closer look at the city’s religious and architectural history, including sites connected to Trenton’s colonial, Revolutionary and early American past.

The program is part of the city’s effort to encourage visitors to experience Trenton as a connected historic landscape rather than a single battlefield or monument. trentonnj.org.

America’s Potluck, Sunday, July 5, 3 p.m.: The Old Barracks Museum, 101 Barrack St., will host America’s Potluck as part of Trenton Heritage Week.

The program invites visitors to experience Trenton’s colonial history while taking part in a community-focused gathering at one of the city’s most important Revolutionary War landmarks. The event reflects the broader Heritage Week theme of bringing people together through history, food and shared civic life.

The Old Barracks, originally built during the French and Indian War and later tied to the Battle of Trenton, provides one of the region’s most direct links to the Revolutionary era. barracks.org.

“What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?”, Sunday, July 5, 4 p.m.: The William Trent House Museum, 15 Market St., will present a reading of Frederick Douglass’ 1852 speech “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” with songs of the era. The program connects the nation’s

The Trent House Museum, built in 1719 for William Trent, is the oldest building in Trenton and is among the local historic sites hosting events tied to america’s 250th anniversary.

250th anniversary with a broader reflection on freedom, citizenship and the contradictions of American history. The Trent House, once the center of an early 18thcentury plantation, provides a significant setting for a program that asks audiences to think critically about the meaning of independence.

The reading also complements the museum’s “Freedoms Reframed” exhibition, which examines how the promise of liberty has been contested and expanded over time. Free tickets are available through the museum. williamtrenthouse. org.

Friends Meeting House Open House and Programs, Monday, July 6, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (also Tuesday, July 7, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.): The Friends Meeting House, 142 E. Hanover St., will be open during Trenton Heritage Week.

The historic house of worship was built in 1739 and used as British dragoons headquarters in December 1776. Programs include a walking tour of the surrounding historic neighborhood led by Marc McKithen from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and a presentation by Fred Millner on the role of Quakers in New Jersey history and during the Revolution, with a focus on Trenton. trentonnj.org.

Official Reading of the Declaration of Independence, Wednesday, July 8, noon: Trenton will reenact the proclamation of the Declaration of Independence at 23 S. Warren St., the same place and time as the city’s first public reading of the Declaration in 1776.

The ceremony is one of the signature events of Heritage Week and connects modern Trenton directly to one of its earliest public commemorations of American independence. Participants will gather at the historic site where residents first heard the Declaration proclaimed 250 years ago.

The noon reading anchors a full day of July 8 programming tied to the Declaration, local history and the city’s role in the Revolutionary era. trentonnj.org.

History Fest250, Wednesday, July 8, 1 p.m.: Following the noon Declaration reading, History Fest250 will bring exhibits, demonstrations and family-friendly activities to downtown Trenton.

Participating organizations include the William Trent House Museum, Morven Museum & Garden, New Jersey State Archives, New Jersey State Library, St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, Washington Crossing Park Association, Trenton Free Public Library, Pennsbury Manor, Kiwanis Club of Trenton, Trenton Zonta Club and other historical and civic groups.

Visitors can meet historians, explore exhibits and learn about the region’s Revolutionary War history and broader American story. The program is designed as a public history gathering, giving families and visitors a chance to encounter multiple organizations in one downtown setting. trentonnj.org.

Historic Downtown Trenton Walking Tour, Wednesday, July 8, 3 p.m.: Explore Trenton’s Revolutionary-era landmarks, historic streets and civic buildings during a guided walking tour of downtown.

The tour will highlight locations connected to the American Revolution, early state government and Trenton’s development as New Jersey’s capital city. It provides an opportunity to experience many of the sites that played a role in the nation’s founding and growth.

Offered between the afternoon History Fest250 activities and the evening proclamation program, the tour gives visitors a way to connect the city’s surviving historic landscape with the events being commemorated during Heritage Week. trentonnj. org.

International Proclamation of the

Declaration of Independence and Blawenburg Band Concert, Wednesday, July 8, 6 p.m.: Trenton will join communities across the nation in an International Proclamation of the Declaration of Independence, with a second public reading scheduled for 6 p.m.

The reading will be followed by a free concert by the 55-member Blawenburg Band. The program will include “The Battle of Trenton,” composed in 1792 by James Hewitt and dedicated to George Washington, along with other patriotic selections.

The performance serves as the musical finale to Heritage Week and Trenton’s July 8 semiquincentennial observances, linking the city’s Revolutionary history with a national commemoration taking place across the states and U.S. territories. trentonnj.org.

Summer Saturdays 2026: Free Family Workshops Celebrate America 250, Saturday, July 11, 10 a.m. to noon (also July 18, July 25 and Aug. 1, 10 a.m. to noon): Trenton City Museum at Ellarslie Mansion, 299 Parkside Ave., will host a series of free hands-on workshops inspired by America’s 250th anniversary.

Designed primarily for children ages 5 to 12, the workshops will explore art, history and the nation’s founding through

See 250th, Page 10

interactive activities and creative projects. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

The series gives families a way to continue the semiquincentennial celebration beyond the July 4 holiday and Heritage Week, using art and museum programming to introduce younger visitors to history. Advance registration is requested. ellarslie.org.

Old Barracks Museum Colonial Summer Day Camp, Monday, July 13, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (also July 14-17, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.): Children ages 9 to 12 can experience life in Revolutionary America during a weeklong summer camp at the Old Barracks Museum, 101 Barrack St. Campers will learn about colonial history through hands-on activities, including cooking in the camp kitchen, playing 18thcentury games, marching to local historic sites and exploring daily life in Revolutionary-era New Jersey. The program uses the Old Barracks and nearby historic sites as a classroom for learning about the 18th century.

The week concludes with a special closing ceremony. Lunch is included. The cost is $275 for qualifying Old Barracks Association members and $300 for nonmembers. barracks.org.

The Crossing: A Revolutionary New

Musical, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2 p.m.: The William Trent House Museum, 15 Market St., will host a free tavern-style preview of “The Crossing,” a new American musical inspired by Washington’s crossing of the Delaware and the Ten Crucial Days campaign.

Presented in the historic setting of the Trent House, the preview offers audiences an opportunity to experience selections from the musical before its world premiere later in the year. The production tells the story of the Revolution through the voices of soldiers, civilians and others whose experiences are often overlooked in traditional accounts.

The preview also connects the musical’s story of the Ten Crucial Days to one of Trenton’s major historic sites, reinforcing the city’s role as a central stage for the semiquincentennial. thecrossingmusical. com.

The Crossing, Saturday, Dec. 26: The world premiere of “The Crossing” will take place at Patriots Theater at the War Memorial on the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Trenton.

The new musical explores Washington’s crossing of the Delaware, the Battles of Trenton and Princeton, and the Ten Crucial Days campaign through a diverse cast of historical figures, including Thomas Paine, William “Billy” Lee and Jacob

Francis. The production seeks to present a broader view of the Revolution by highlighting the experiences of people whose stories are often absent from traditional retellings.

The premiere is one of the signature cultural events planned for the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Trenton and the nation’s semiquincentennial celebration. thecrossingmusical.com.

Patriots Week: Battles of Trenton Reenactments, Sunday, Dec. 27, 11 a.m. (also 3 p.m.): Trenton will mark the 250th anniversary of the Battles of Trenton with reenactments on and near the original battlefields.

The first reenactment begins at the Battle Monument at 11 a.m. and follows soldiers as they march out to fight. A second reenactment takes place at 3 p.m. in Mill Hill Park. Together, the programs recreate the dramatic events that helped revive the American cause during the Revolution and changed the course of the war.

Presented as part of Patriots Week, the reenactments are expected to be among the most historically significant local commemorations of the semiquincentennial year. The events are free and held rain or shine. barracks.org.

Princeton

“Nursery

of Rebellion”: Princeton

and the American Revolution, ongoing through Monday, July 13: Princeton University Library’s exhibition “Nursery of Rebellion” examines Princeton’s role in the American Revolution through rare books, manuscripts, prints and other historical materials.

The exhibition explores the community’s place in the founding era, including the people, ideas and conflicts that shaped Princeton before, during and after the Revolution. Presented in connection with Princeton University’s semiquincentennial programming, it gives visitors a scholarly look at the town’s Revolutionary history and the broader world of 1776. library. princeton.edu.

Princeton’s Taverns: On the Road to Revolution, ongoing: The Historical Society of Princeton’s free outdoor exhibition in Dohm Alley, off Nassau Street, explores the role taverns played in 18th-century Princeton and the ways they shaped everyday life in the community.

Installed steps from where several historic taverns once stood, the exhibition uses maps, newspapers, tavern licenses, personal accounts and other historical sources to show how taverns served as centers of commerce, communication, politics and community life. The project invites visitors to consider how ordinary public spaces helped shape Revolution-

ary-era Princeton. princetonhistory.org.

Real and Remembered: Princetonians Caught Between Study and Revolution, ongoing through Friday, April 30, 2027: The Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library at Princeton University is presenting an exhibition on Princeton students and the Revolutionary era.

The exhibition examines how young scholars were caught between education, politics and war during the nation’s founding. Through archival materials, visitors can explore the ways Princeton students experienced and remembered the Revolution, and how the university community was shaped by the conflict. library.princeton.edu.

Five Independent Souls: The Signers from New Jersey, ongoing through Sunday, Jan. 17, 2027: Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton St., is presenting an exhibition on New Jersey’s five signers of the Declaration of Independence: Abraham Clark, John Hart, Francis Hopkinson, Richard Stockton and John Witherspoon.

The exhibition examines the lives, ideals and contradictions of the men who represented New Jersey in the struggle for independence. More than 100 historic objects and Revolutionary-era works are on view, offering visitors a deeper look at the people behind the signatures and the world they inhabited. morven.org.

Community on Tap, Friday, July 3, noon (also 1 p.m.): The Historical Society of Princeton will offer informal guided tours of “Princeton’s Taverns: On the Road to Revolution” in Dohm Alley, off Nassau Street.

The tours invite visitors to explore the exhibition in greater depth and learn more about the stories, sources and research behind the project. The program focuses on the taverns where Patriots and Loyalists gathered, debated, exchanged news and conducted business in Revolutionary-era Princeton. princetonhistory.org.

Fourth of July Festival, Saturday, July 4, noon to 3 p.m.: Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton St., will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence with its annual free Fourth of July Festival.

The festival takes place at the former home of Richard Stockton, one of New Jersey’s signers of the Declaration. Highlights include live music from The Vintage Vibe Tribe and John Burkhalter of the Practitioners of Musick, lawn games, face painting, food trucks, arts and crafts, community partners and open archives with the Historical Society of Princeton.

Award-winning poet David Mills will read Frederick Douglass’ 1852 speech “What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?” The museum will be open free of charge during the festival, including access to special exhibitions connected to the nation’s

250th anniversary. Pre-registration is requested. morven.org.

250th Anniversary Independence Day Celebration at Princeton Battlefield, Saturday, July 4, noon to 3 p.m.: Princeton Battlefield State Park, 500 Mercer Road, will host a companion celebration tied to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Activities include readings of the Declaration of Independence at 1 and 3:30 p.m., opportunities to learn Continental Army drill, musket-firing demonstrations, 18thcentury crafts, cooking demonstrations and tours of the Clarke House.

The program connects Independence Day with the site of the Battle of Princeton, one of the pivotal engagements of the Ten Crucial Days campaign. Activities are free and open to the public. pbs1777.org.

America250 Walking Tour, Sunday, July 5, 2 p.m.: The Historical Society of Princeton will lead a walking tour exploring what happened in Princeton during the American Revolution.

The tour visits locations occupied or ransacked by the British in 1776, homes of signers of the Declaration of Independence and members of the Continental Congress, taverns where Patriots and Loyalists gathered and debated, and a site connected to the Battle of Princeton. Tickets are required. princetonhistory.org.

Summer Reading Soirée: A Founding Mother, Wednesday, July 8, 6:30 p.m.: Princeton Public Library, Morven Museum & Garden and Labyrinth Books will present the annual Summer Reading Soirée at Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton St.

This year’s program features bestselling authors Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie discussing and signing copies of “A Founding Mother: A Novel of Abigail Adams.” The novel offers an intimate portrait of Abigail Adams and her role in the early republic.

The evening includes sparkling beverages, sorbet, sweet treats, door prizes, giveaways and access to Morven’s grounds. Tickets include a copy of the book, and seating is limited. morven.org.

Revolution Sundays: The Battle of Princeton, Sunday, July 12, 1 p.m. (also July 26, Aug. 2, Aug. 16, Sept. 6, Sept. 13, Sept. 27, Oct. 11 and Oct. 18, 1 p.m.): Princeton Battlefield Society will present its Revolution Sundays series at Princeton Battlefield State Park, 500 Mercer Road.

The programs explore the Battle of Princeton and the Ten Crucial Days campaign, beginning with Washington’s crossing of the Delaware on Dec. 25, 1776, and continuing through the battles of Trenton and Princeton. The Battle of Princeton on Jan. 3, 1777, helped transform American morale and the military course of the Rev-

See 250th, Page 12

When the Declaration of Independence Was News, Sunday, July 19, 2 p.m.: Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton St., will host historian Emily Sneff for a Generation Declaration program focused on the Declaration of Independence at the moment of its creation.

Sneff, a leading expert on the Declaration, will discuss how the document was communicated to people in the new nation and around the Atlantic world before anyone knew what its legacy would be or whether the United States would win the war. The program explores the roles of printers, soldiers, diplomats, translators and others involved in declaring independence.

Copies of Sneff’s book “When the Declaration of Independence Was News” will be available for purchase and signing. Registration includes museum admission on July 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. morven.org.

Stories in the Garden: “Try It” with People & Stories/Gente y Cuentos, Thursday, July 23, 6:30 p.m.: Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton St., will host an evening literature program in the gardens with People & Stories/Gente y Cuentos.

Participants will hear a contemporary short story read aloud by an experienced

The event connects fitness with New Jersey’s Revolutionary War history at one of the most important battlefield sites of the Ten Crucial Days campaign. Participants will run or walk at the site where Washington’s army fought one of the campaign’s pivotal engagements. revnj.org.

Princeton and the American Revolution: A Four-Part Series, Thursday, Sept. 10, 6:30 p.m. (also Sept. 17, Sept. 24 and Oct. 1, 6:30 p.m.): The Historical Society of Princeton will mark the 250th anniversary with a four-part program at Updike Farmstead, 354 Quaker Road.

The series examines Revolutionary War events connected to Princeton and the surrounding region, including the Battle of Brooklyn, the Ten Crucial Days and Princeton’s role as the nation’s capital in 1783. The program gives participants a more sustained look at the local, regional and national events that shaped Princeton’s Revolutionary-era history. princetonhistory.org.

coordinator, followed by a guided conversation designed to bring people together through shared reading and discussion. The program is free, but capacity is limited and pre-registration is required. morven. org.

Listening to the Revolution: 250 Years of American Music, Thursday, July 30, 6 p.m.: Morven Museum & Gar-

den, 55 Stockton St., will host a free community concert by the Blawenburg Band on Morven’s historic front lawn.

The program, “Listening to the Revolution: 250 Years of American Music,” invites visitors to bring blankets, lawn chairs, family and friends to the former home of a signer of the Declaration of Independence and New Jersey’s first governor’s mansion. The Blawenburg Band, established in 1890, is one of the oldest community bands in New Jersey and is conducted by Dr. Jerry E. Rife.morven.org.

Book Talk with Brooke Barbier: A Revolutionary Take on Cocktails & History, Friday, July 31, 5 p.m.: Public historian Brooke Barbier will discuss “Cocked and Boozy: An Intoxicated History of the American Revolution” at Nassau Inn in Princeton.

The book explores the role alcohol played in colonial politics, relationships and the economy before and during the Revolution. The program offers a lighter but historically grounded look at the founding era, connecting taverns, drinking culture and political life in Revolutionary America. princetonhistory.org.

Community on Tap, Friday, Aug. 7, 5 p.m. (also 6 p.m.): The Historical Society of Princeton will continue its informal guided tour series tied to “Princeton’s Taverns: On the Road to Revolution” in Dohm Alley, off Nassau Street. The tours explore the stories, sources and research behind the outdoor exhibition, which examines how taverns functioned as centers of conversation, exchange, politics and community life during the Revolutionary era. princetonhistory.org.

Princeton Battlefield 5K, Sunday, Sept. 6: Princeton Battlefield State Park will host a history-themed 5K and 1K walk as part of the RevolutionNJ Race Series.

Community on Tap, Friday, Sept. 11, noon (also 1 p.m.): The Historical Society of Princeton will offer additional guided tours of “Princeton’s Taverns: On the Road to Revolution” in Dohm Alley.

The tours examine the role taverns played in 18th-century Princeton as places where residents and travelers heard news, debated politics, conducted business and gathered in community. The program gives visitors a deeper understanding of the exhibition and the research behind it. princetonhistory.org.

Princeton 1776 Fest, Saturday, Oct. 3: Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton St., will host Princeton 1776 Fest, a free community celebration co-sponsored by the Historical Society of Princeton, Morven Museum & Garden, Princeton Battlefield Society and the Daughters of the American Revolution.

The event will include live music, living-history interpreters, craftspeople, special exhibitions, food and drink. The celebration brings several of Princeton’s major historical organizations together for a broad public commemoration of the semiquincentennial. Rain date is Sunday, Oct. 4. morven.org.

Experience the Battle of Princeton, Sunday, Dec. 27, noon to 2 p.m.: Princeton Battlefield Society will mark the 250th anniversary of the Ten Crucial Days campaign with a Battle of Princeton program at Princeton Battlefield State Park, Mercer Road.

The program will be coordinated with Washington Crossing Historic Park in New Jersey and Pennsylvania and the Old Barracks Museum in Trenton. It will commemorate the campaign that began with Washington’s crossing of the Delaware and continued through the battles of Trenton and Princeton. required. pbs1777.org.

morven museum & Garden in Princeton is hosting several events tied to america’s 250th anniversary.

Wednesday, July 1

Five Independent Souls: The Signers from New Jersey , Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton Street, Princeton. Exhibition on New Jersey signers of the Declaration of Independence with historic objects and Revolutionary-era works. 10 a.m.

L.E.A.D. Fest State Fair , Mercer County Park, 1638 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor, LEADrugs.org. Food, rides, music, shows and carnival games benefiting L.E.A.D. 5 p.m.

Digital Health in the age of AI , Mercer County Library: West Windsor Branch, 333 North Post Road, Princeton Junction, events.mcl.org. Presentation by Digital Health Consultants Blue Scholars on healthy computer use in the age of AI and machine learning. 6:30 p.m.

HAPPENING

Thursday, July 2

L.E.A.D. Fest Camp Day 2026 , Mercer County Park, 1638 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor. Food, rides, music, shows and carnival games benefiting L.E.A.D. 10 a.m.

L.E.A.D. Fest State Fair , Mercer County Park, 1638 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor, LEADrugs.org. Food, rides, music, shows and carnival games benefiting L.E.A.D. 5 p.m.

Friday, July 3

Sunset Sips and Sounds , Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton. Wine, music, light bites and sunset in the orchard.

Music 5 to 8 p.m.; winery open noon to 8 p.m. noon

L.E.A.D. Fest State Fair , Mercer County Park, 1638 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor, LEADrugs.org. Food, rides, music, shows and carnival games benefiting L.E.A.D. 5 p.m.

Music in the Park Concert Series , Lawrenceville Main Street, Weeden Park, 17 Phillips Avenue, Lawrenceville. Free outdoor concert series with live music and kids activities. Bring a blanket or lawn chair. 6 p.m.

Saturday, July 4

tion of Independence with historic objects and Revolutionary-era works. 10 a.m.

Summer Weekend Winery Series , Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton, terhuneorchards.com. Wine, live music from 2 to 5 p.m., produce, baked goods and local gourmet items. noon

L.E.A.D. Fest State Fair , Mercer County Park, 1638 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor, LEADrugs.org. Food, rides, music, shows and carnival games benefiting L.E.A.D. 5 p.m.

Monday, July 6

Princeton Photo Workshop Photo Camp for Teens , Princeton Photo Workshop, Princeton. Weeklong photo camp for teens, beginner to advanced, with outdoor exploration and instruction. 10 a.m.

Tuesday, July 7

West Windsor Community Farmers Market , 877 Alexander Road, West Windsor, westwindsorfarmersmarket.org. Fresh produce, meats, dairy, prepared foods, crafts and more. 9 a.m.

Princeton Photo Workshop Photo Camp for Teens , Princeton Photo Workshop, Princeton. Weeklong photo camp for teens, beginner to advanced, with outdoor exploration and instruction. 10 a.m.

Read and Pick: Monarchs , Swallowtails and Honeybees - Oh My, Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton. Hands-on farm program for young children with stories and activity. $12; tickets required. 9:30 a.m.

West Windsor Time Capsule Burial , Historical Society of West Windsor, 50 Southfield Road, West Windsor, westwindsorhistory.com/timecapsule. Historical Society of West Windsor dedicates a 50-year time capsule to be opened in 2076. 1:30 p.m.

L.E.A.D. Fest State Fair , Mercer County Park, 1638 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor, LEADrugs.org. Food, rides, music, shows and carnival games benefiting L.E.A.D. 5 p.m.

Wednesday, July 8

Summer Weekend Winery Series , Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton, terhuneorchards.com. Wine, live music from 2 to 5 p.m., produce, baked goods and local gourmet items. noon

Sunday, July 5

Five Independent Souls: The Signers from New Jersey , Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton Street, Princeton. Exhibition on New Jersey signers of the Declara -

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) Information Session , Mercer County Library: West Windsor Branch, 333 North Post Road, Princeton Junction, events.mcl. org. Information session on becoming a CASA volunteer for children in foster care. 6:30 p.m.

Evening Yoga in the Gardens with Gratitude Yoga , Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton Street, Princeton. Alllevel outdoor Vinyasa class in Morven gardens. Bring mat, towel and water. Donation-based. 6:30 p.m.

Princeton Photo Workshop Photo Camp for Teens , Princeton Photo Work-

Weeklong

camp for teens, beginner to advanced, with outdoor exploration and instruction. 10 a.m.

MCCC Farmers Market , Mercer County Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, Windsor. Farmers market at Mercer County Community College. 2 p.m.

Thursday, July 9

Trivia in the Winery , Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton. Trivia with DJ Iron Mike in the Terhune winery. No cover. 5 p.m.

Princeton Photo Workshop Photo Camp for Teens , Princeton Photo Workshop, Princeton. Weeklong photo camp for teens, beginner to advanced, with outdoor exploration and instruction. 10 a.m.

Friday, July 10

11 for Semiquin Exhibition Opening Reception , West Windsor Arts, 952 Alexander Road, West Windsor. Opening reception for exhibit featuring 11 artists paired with local museums or historic sites. 7 p.m.

Princeton Photo Workshop Photo Camp for Teens , Princeton Photo Workshop, Princeton. Weeklong photo camp for teens, beginner to advanced, with outdoor exploration and instruction. 10 a.m.

Sunset Sips and Sounds , Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton. Wine, music, light bites and sunset in the orchard. Music 5 to 8 p.m.; winery open noon to 8 p.m. noon

Disney’s The Little Mermaid, presented by The Yardley Players , Kelsey Theatre, 24 G 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor. Yardley Players present the musical based on the Disney film. $22 to $24. 8 p.m.

Saturday, July 11

West Windsor Community Farmers Market , 877 Alexander Road, West Wind -

sor, westwindsorfarmersmarket.org. Fresh produce, meats, dairy, prepared foods, crafts and more. 9 a.m.

FOPOS Foraging as Stewardship: Wineberries , Friends of Princeton Open Space, 57 Mountain Avenue, Princeton. Forage wineberries and learn about removing and cooking the invasive plant. 9 a.m.

Disney’s The Little Mermaid, presented by The Yardley Players , Kelsey Theatre, 24 G 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor. Yardley Players present the musical based on the Disney film. $22 to $24.

Summer Weekend Winery Series , Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton, terhuneorchards.com. Wine, live music from 2 to 5 p.m., produce, baked goods and local gourmet items. noon

Summer Music Series , On the Green at Palmer Square, 40 Nassau Street, Princeton, palmersquare.com. Live music on the green. 1 p.m.

Sunday, July 12

lululemon: (Mindful) Summer Yoga on the Green , On the Green at Palmer Square, 40 Nassau Street, Princeton. Free outdoor yoga series on the green; rain location at lululemon. 9:30 a.m.

Family Sundays: Bug Catching , Tulpehaking Nature Center, 157 Westcott Avenue, Hamilton. 1:30 p.m.

Summer Weekend Winery Series , Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton, terhuneorchards.com. Wine, live music from 2 to 5 p.m., produce, baked goods and local gourmet items. noon

Tuesday, July 14

STEAM Explorers Workshop - Experimenting with Simple Machines , Mercer County Library: Robbinsville Branch, 42 Robbinsville Allentown Road, Robbinsville, events.mcl.org. 3 p.m.

Women in Business Alliance Summer

Sip and Stroll , Princeton Lavender Farm, 3741 Lawrenceville Road, Princeton. 5 p.m.

Twilight Garden Tour , Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton Street, Princeton. Evening tour of Morven gardens with a horticulturalist, followed by refreshments.

5:30 p.m.

Wednesday, July 15

Sip & Stretch , The Peacock Inn, 20 Bayard Lane, Princeton. Yoga session paired with bites and sips. 5 p.m.

Thursday, July 16

Tiny Tot Explorers , Tulpehaking Nature Center, 157 Westcott Avenue, Hamilton. 10:30 a.m.

Five Independent Souls: The Signers

from New Jersey , Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton Street, Princeton. Exhibition on New Jersey signers of the Declaration of Independence with historic objects and Revolutionary-era works. 10 a.m.

Friday, July 17

Tully’s Tales , Tulpehaking Nature Center, 157 Westcott Avenue, Hamilton. 10:30 a.m. Music in the Park Concert Series , Lawrenceville Main Street, Weeden Park, 17 Phillips Avenue, Lawrenceville. Free outdoor concert series with live music and kids activities. Bring a blanket or lawn chair. 6 p.m.

Sunset Sips and Sounds , Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton. Wine, music, light bites and sunset in the orchard. See EVENTS, Page 16

Movie Nights on the Green , On the Green at Palmer Square, 40 Nassau Street, Princeton. Family-friendly outdoor movie night. Bring blanket or lawn chair. 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, July 18

West Windsor Community Farmers Market , 877 Alexander Road, West Windsor, westwindsorfarmersmarket.org. Fresh produce, meats, dairy, prepared foods, crafts and more. 9 a.m.

Flower Festival , Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton. Family-friendly festival celebrating summer blooms at Terhune Orchards. 10 a.m.

Summer Weekend Winery Series , Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton, terhuneorchards.com. Wine, live music from 2 to 5 p.m., produce, baked goods and local gourmet items. noon

Summer Music Series , On the Green at Palmer Square, 40 Nassau Street, Princeton, palmersquare.com. Live music on the green. 1 p.m.

Summer Music and More: Briz and the Revival , West Windsor Arts, 952 Alexander Road, Princeton Junction. 5 p.m.

Disney’s The Little Mermaid, presented by The Yardley Players , Kelsey Theatre, 24 G 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor. Yardley Players present the musical based on the Disney film. $22 to $24.

Sunday, July 19

Flower Festival , Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton. Family-friendly festival celebrating summer blooms at Terhune Orchards. 10 a.m.

STORIES IN THE GARDEN: “TRY IT” WITH PEOPLE & STORIES/GENTE Y CUENTOS , Morven Museum & Garden, 55 Stockton Street, Princeton. 2 p.m.

Summer Weekend Winery Series , Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton, terhuneorchards.com. Wine, live music from 2 to 5 p.m., produce, baked goods and local gourmet items. noon

FAMILY SUNDAYS - KIDS IN THE GARDEN , Tulpehaking Nature Center, 157 Westcott Avenue, Hamilton. 1:30 p.m.

Monday, July 20

Watercolor Painting with Children’s Art Classes , Mercer County Library: Hightstown Memorial Branch, 114 Franklin Street, Hightstown, events.mcl.org. 6 p.m.

Tuesday, July 21

Read and Pick: Flowers , Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton. Hands-on farm program for young children with stories and activity. $12; tickets re -

quired. 9:30 a.m.

Wednesday, July 22

MCCC Farmers Market , Mercer County Community College, 1200 Old Trenton Road, Windsor. Farmers market at Mercer County Community College. 2 p.m.

Thursday, July 23

Friday, July 24

ACP BYOB: Wheel Ceramics , Arts Council of Princeton, 102 Witherspoon Street, Princeton. Beginner-friendly wheel ceramics workshop. 6 p.m.

Sunset Sips and Sounds , Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton. Wine, music, light bites and sunset in the orchard. Music 5 to 8 p.m.; winery open noon to 8 p.m. noon

Saturday, July 25

West Windsor Community Farmers Market , 877 Alexander Road, West Windsor, westwindsorfarmersmarket.org. Fresh produce, meats, dairy, prepared foods, crafts and more. 9 a.m.

Summer Weekend Winery Series , Ter-

hune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton, terhuneorchards.com. Wine, live music from 2 to 5 p.m., produce, baked goods and local gourmet items. noon

Summer Music Series , On the Green at Palmer Square, 40 Nassau Street, Princeton, palmersquare.com. Live music on the green. 1 p.m.

Owen Lake and the Tragic Loves Record Release show , Hinds Plaza, Princeton Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, Princeton, owenlake.com/. Electro-country band Owen Lake and the Tragic Loves perform a record release show. 3 p.m.

Sunday, July 26

lululemon: (Mindful) Summer Yoga on the Green , On the Green at Palmer Square, 40 Nassau Street, Princeton. Free outdoor yoga series on the green; rain location at lululemon. 9:30 a.m.

Summer Weekend Winery Series , Terhune Orchards, 330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton, terhuneorchards.com. Wine, live music from 2 to 5 p.m., produce, baked goods and local gourmet items. noon

Monday, July 27

Tuesday, July 28

Young Professionals Give Back: Boys & Girls Club , Boys & Girls Clubs of Mercer County, 1040 Spruce Street, Lawrenceville. Young professionals volunteer event at Boys & Girls Clubs of Mercer County. 1 p.m.

Wednesday, July 29

Thursday, July 30

See EVENTS, Page 23

Travel Talk with Caryn and Aron

Wave of New Ships and Resorts for 2027

As global travel demand continues to climb, 2027 is shaping up to be a landmark year for new cruise ships and luxury resort openings. Both industries are pushing boundaries in design, sustainability, and immersive guest experiences. Below is an early look at the most anticipated arrivals that travelers should have on their radar.

The Newest 2027 Cruise Ships

Hero of the Seas (Royal Caribbean): Debuting in August 2027 and home ported in Miami. As the newest Icon-Class megaresort at sea, it features the largest onboard waterpark, nine distinct pools (including the largest swim-up bar at sea), and a three-story Ultimate Family Treehouse. It will oﬀer 7-night Eastern/Western Caribbean itineraries, all stopping at Perfect Day at CocoCay.

Norwegian Aura (Norwegian Cruise Line): Debuting in May 2027 and home porting in Miami. This Prima-Plus class ship will be 10% larger than her ﬂeet mates, featuring more slides than any NCL ship, the new multi-deck Ocean Heights activity complex, and a massively expanded Haven luxury suite area.

MSC World Atlantic (MSC Cruises): Setting sail in November 2027, this megaship will accommodate over 6,700 guests and feature dedicated Eastern and Western Caribbean routes with cutting-edge ecofriendly LNG technology.

Disney Believe (Disney Cruise Line): Arriving in late 2027, this is the fourth ship in the Wish Class and will bring immersive themes from “Encanto,” “Snow White,” and “The Little Mermaid.”

The Newest 2027 Resorts

Park Hyatt Riviera Maya (Mexico): Opening February 15, 2027, this is the ﬁrstever all-inclusive resort from Hyatt’s ultraluxury ﬂagship brand. It’s highly anticipated as a premium disruptor in the Mexican Caribbean.

Finest Riviera Cancun (Mexico): Opening February 11, 2027, this family-friendly (but heavily all-suite) property from The Excellence Collection is packed with rooftop plunge pools, swim-up suites, and a dedicated Excellence Club section for adults.

Disney Lakeshore Lodge (Orlando, FL): Located just a 21-minute drive from Port St. Lucie at the Walt Disney World Resort, this Deluxe DVC property will open in Summer 2027. It will feature 900 rustic-elegance lodge rooms, A-frame cabins, and treehouse suites.

Marriott Luxury Collection Island Resort, Maldives Marriott’s forthcoming private-island retreat will emphasize eco-sensitive design, reef restoration programs, and overwater villas

built with sustainable materials. Its spa and marine-based wellness treatments are slated to be key draws.

Atlantis Amanora, Dubai A sister property to the iconic Atlantis resorts, Atlantis Amanora will combine dramatic architecture with immersive water-themed entertainment. The property is designed as a high-end destination for families, business travelers, and event planners.

• The 2027 lineup of ships and resorts reﬂects broader trends across global tourism:

• A shift toward sustainable propulsion and green architecture

• Greater emphasis on multi-sensory experiences and themed entertainment

• Luxury oﬀerings that balance privacy with personalization

• Increased demand for family-friendly and multigenerational travel options

With so many high-proﬁle openings set for 2027, travelers will have more options than ever to explore the world in style, comfort, and sustainability. While this list is not complete and opening dates can change, this gives an idea of the trends in travel for the future. There is still time to book your last minute fall travel and to start planning your winter getaway. And don’t forget to purchase travel insurance. Contact us at 609-750-0807 or cberla@ cruiseplanners.com to discuss your travel plans. At Cruise Planners we are Luxury Travel Specialists. We do not charge any additional fees for our vacation planning, and whether you are looking for a Cruise, am AllInclusive Resort Vacation, or European Land Tour, we will provide you with the exceptional service you should expect from a travel agent. Visit us at www.makingvacationmemories. net to register for either our regular or for our luxury newsletter to be delivered directly to your inbox and follow us at www.facebook. com/familycruising. Unlike big online travel sites, Cruise Planners-ABC Family Cruising and Travel delivers the personal touch.

SPRINGSIDE LOFTS & SPRINGSIDE LOFTS 55+

The community o ers two distinct living options – Springside Lofts and Springside Lofts 55+ – both thoughtfully designed for lowmaintenance living in Robbinsville, NJ. Enjoy a prime location near top-rated schools, dining, shopping, recreation, and cultural attractions with an easy commute. Just 8 miles for Princeton Junction and Hamilton train stations and 11 miles from downtown Princeton.

• 1-2 bedrooms, 1-2 baths, some with dens

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finally accomplished our final goal, it was like a sigh of relief. And we got our revenge on Millburn.”

Without their best player, Prahalad Dharma, who did not play enough matches to qualify for the team’s state matches, Millburn took a 2-0 lead by winning first and second singles. Then Richard Hao and Buddhidinesh’s younger brother, Pavan Buddhidinesh, won the Pirates’ first point at first doubles. Shriyan Kumar tied the teams, 2-2, with his win at third singles for the Pirates to set the stage for another clutch performance from Buddhidinesh, the ultimate utility player.

“Going into it, we were a little nervous but we know our school and we know our talent,” Buddhidinesh said. “We definitely knew we were the underdogs against Millburn, but we eventually proved them wrong.”

It certainly wasn’t a smooth path for the Pirates and especially for Buddhidinesh, who wasn’t in the lineup at the start of either of the last two title seasons. But maybe that’s what made the ending so sweet. Buddhidinesh was doubted. So were the Pirates.

“Even though we had a lot of injuries, people went away for tournaments, we

somehow recouped our team and then we just won while we were the underdogs,” Buddhidinesh said. “So it was just a perfect ending to my story. Even though I didn’t get a proper position even at the start of this year or the whole season last year, I was able to find my way on the lineup and do one last win for the team.”

He and his classmates suffered heartbreaking losses to Millburn in their first two years of high school. But thanks in part to him, South won the final two state championships over them, and that made for a perfect ending to his career. This year’s title was far less expected.

“We overachieved this year and it far exceeded my expectations knowing that the No. 1 player was not going to be able to play in the state tournament,” said Pirates coach Richard Arnold after the team’s seventh state crown. “And I just told the guys we had to move on. We didn’t have

him for most of the matches anyway the whole year and we survived and we played a lot of good teams, so that’s what our attitude was — we have to just move forward.”

Good thing Buddhidinesh seems always to be that way. He had stepped in seamlessly in a huge spot to win a point last year. This year, he teamed with a new freshman to win the decisive point at doubles after Arnold had told him at the beginning of the year that he was a far better singles player. It made Buddhidinesh mad, and he set out to prove himself.

‘It was just a perfect ending to my story, Buddhidinesh said. ‘I was able to find my way on the lineup and do one last win for the team.’

“Unfortunately I didn’t play that good during tryouts and I didn’t get a singles position,” Buddhidinesh said. “I knew I could step up and be a doubles player. So when I was practicing, I really wanted to show Coach that I could be a doubles player as well.”

Midway through the season, he and Manku won the Pirates’ second doubles spot with a challenge match win. That put them on the court and gave Arnold a chance to see another side of Buddhidinesh. He hadn’t seen him serve and volley as a singles player, but all of a sudden Buddhidinesh was shifting to incorporate it into his doubles play.

“He showed me things I never even knew he had in his bag of tricks,” Arnold said. “It’s kind of cool. Guts, I knew he had. That’s just something you can’t teach.”

Buddhidinesh drew on his previous doubles experience. He had doubles experience from three years ago that gave him a starting point for this year’s pairing.

“I actually played doubles my freshman year,” he said. “I played second doubles with Rishabh Shekdarr. So I had to take some of what I learned freshman year and apply it senior year.”

Buddhidinesh grew a lot from that time. He admitted being nervous and maybe even a little intimidated by bigger, older, stronger players as a freshman. Now as a senior, he has more of the answers, something he credits the team for helping him develop this year. He and Manku didn’t get as many matches as would be ideal, but their practice time ended up being valuable for development together.

“When we practiced, most of the

time, the matches in practice were actually more competitive than our team matches,” Buddhidinesh said. “So against our first doubles we used to have a lot of matches and play a lot of practice sets. So that helped me become better at doubles.”

And with the state championship on the line, there wasn’t a more reliable player. South held serve at 3-3 in the second set under intense pressure, and then the Pirates broke Millburn for a 5-3 lead before closing out the match with Manku serving.

“They hardly ever played, so it was a miraculous performance,” Arnold said. “Karthik played very courageous and not afraid. He just played like a bulldog. He was not going to go down. So I think kind of his energy helped the young freshman control his emotions.”

The win capped another incredible season for the Pirates. They finished 25-2. One loss came at the hands of a talented Delbarton team, the other with most of their regular lineup away against Ridge. Otherwise, they patched together win after win with their depth, a “patchwork” team, as Arnold referred to them, that won it all. Buddhidinesh relied on his experience in the state matches that he expected would come down to the bottom three flights for the Pirates to win another title.

“We have a lot of talent on our third singles, first dubs, and second dubs,” he said. “So we knew coming in that our bottom positions have to perform. So we were confident. Our coach kept giving us really good advice on the sidelines. So we just try to shift our focus to our own match and try not to focus on others.”

The win helped them overcome doubters from opponents to reporters. They had beaten Tenafly earlier that day to set up the matchup of the top Group 3 schools from the last several years, but few anticipated a repeat champion from South.

“I knew what to do,” Buddhidinesh said. “I knew how I had to play against Millburn. But my partner, who was a freshman, he was a little tight. So I tried to help him, tried to guide him through the match. And we got the job done.”

It was a blissful ending to a long year that began with college applications and rigorous classes that seem to always press on South’s senior players. The season also didn’t start out ideally for Buddhidinesh, who will attend the University of Illinois and consider playing club tennis. But it certainly ended well after he battled through it all to help secure another championship for the Pirates.

“It’s just perfect,” Buddhidinesh said. “That’s it.”

Migrant farm workers in West Windsor

PAUL LIGETI WEST WINDSOR CHRONICLES

Back when West Windsor was an agricultural township, migrant farmworkers were a big, but seasonal, part of the community. Here, we explore their broad history in New Jersey. Thank you to Christine Kent for much of this research.

19th-century roots

Seasonal migration for work has long been part of agricultural life in North America, although the legal status and experiences of workers varied dramatically across time. Back when West Windsor was a farming community, seasonal workers were typically farmworkers who lived here only during growing and harvest seasons. Censuses from the mid-1800s onward frequently recorded “workers” and “boarders,” including African American and Irish residents, some of whom may have been transient agricultural laborers.

the South, the Caribbean and, later, Mexico. This coincided with the Great Migration, in which many African Americans left the South seeking greater economic opportunity and broader civil rights. Between 1910 and 1930, New Jersey’s Black population grew by 132%. Although many settled permanently in urban occupations rather than seasonal agricultural work, some did enter seasonal farm labor circuits.

Midcentury growth

Following the Civil War, farmers increasingly relied on wage labor and other hired workers to meet seasonal harvest demands. World War I sharply

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reduced European immigration. Thereafter, more farmers hired workers who moved up the East Coast during the warmer months, often from

The Great Depression disrupted permanent northward migration in the 1930s. However, the decade’s financial stresses, plus competition from increased mechanization in the South, also boosted seasonal migration to New Jersey. Each spring, workers began as far south as Florida and worked their way northward. Many reached New Jersey in the summer, returning south only after the autumn harvest. Farmers themselves often faced narrow profit margins and recurring labor shortages, helping sustain reliance on seasonal

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Migrant family driving from North Carolina to Cranbury NJ, July 1940. Photo by Jack Delano. Sourced from the Library of Congress”

In 1940, Black migrant workers alone numbered around 10,000, with 4,000 of them employed on fruit and vegetable farms in Mercer, Monmouth and Middlesex counties. By the mid-1960s, Latinos, especially Puerto Ricans, had become another significant part of the seasonal workforce.

While many of these workers were single, entire families often traveled together as well. In West Windsor, they became a common annual presence, as many local farms employed migrant workers for decades. The children went to the local school system.

West Windsor’s schools were not legally segregated, although experiences of inclusion undoubtedly varied, and the arrival of migrant children swelled class sizes in the early fall. Even today, many residents who grew up in the midcentury recall some of them as friends they saw every year.

Living conditions

Yet conditions were often harsh for migrant workers across the East Coast. Investigations repeatedly documented inadequate housing, clothing and food, as well as low pay for backbreaking labor. Moreover, access to health care and schooling was often limited.

In 1945, Princeton University held a conference to address many of these problems. That same year, New Jersey passed the Seasonal Farm Labor Act to oversee the welfare of migrant workers and enforce new standards. Labor camps were now required to provide structurally sound, fire-safe and vermin-free living conditions. The act also granted the government inspection powers to ensure compliance.

Investigating labor

However, while conditions improved somewhat, it was not a cure-all. One Princeton-area newspaper article from 1952 highlighted the proliferation of child labor on New Jersey farms. In 1960, CBS broadcast a groundbreaking documentary, “Harvest of Shame,” presented by acclaimed broadcaster Edward R. Murrow. The exposé highlighted the extreme poverty and exploitation of migrant farmworkers across the Atlantic Coast. Murrow opened the documentary by recounting a remark attributed to one farmer: “We used to own our slaves. Now we just rent them.” Although it is uncertain if this farmer was from New Jersey, the quotation reflected

the documentary’s general critique of exploitative labor conditions and became one of its most memorable lines. One segment later in the documentary highlighted housing, sanitation and food provisions on a farm just a few miles outside Princeton. In 1961, reporter Dale Wright’s award-winning investigative report series, “The Forgotten People,” further exposed harsh and exploitative conditions. Of course, while investigative reports focused heavily on the worst offenses, the degree of compliance varied among local farm owners.

1960s-’80s

In 1960, the Princeton YMCA held a public meeting to discuss the plight of migrant children. In 1961, the Council of Community Services held a day care program through the Unitarian Church/Cranbury Center to aid migrant workers living in West Windsor. The following year, a pilot “Summer Corps” sent college students to migrant camps to provide general assistance.

Of course, laborers themselves often organized to shape better outcomes for themselves. Through the 1960s and ’70s, various statewide and federal pieces of legislation were passed to address the conditions of seasonal agricultural workers. Perhaps most notable was the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act of 1983, which bolstered enforcement and regulations and is still in force today.

Representation and decline

Acclaimed African American artist Rex Goreleigh, who taught in West Windsor and had a studio at 8-10 Canal Road, spotlighted the lives of local migrant workers through his “Migrant Series” paintings. While studying art in New York, Goreleigh associated with famed Mexican painter Diego Rivera, himself a historic labor advocate, among other roles.

In the last quarter of the 20th century, West Windsor saw dramatic suburban growth, which replaced most of its old farmland.

This decline of West Windsor’s farming identity, plus increased mechanization, all but eliminated the seasonal agricultural migrant worker cycle from within the township’s borders.

Migrant labor today

Nevertheless, migrant farm laborers have not disappeared from the state.

The USDA Census of Agriculture reported 8,248 such workers in New Jersey in 2022. Nurseries, farms and greenhouses provide the greatest source of their income. In 2019, New Jersey passed an amendment to its Wage and Hour Law, which aimed to protect small family farms from sudden operational cost spikes while gradually scaling up worker pay. Still, under the phased implementation schedule, the wage floor for farmworkers rose 80 cents in 2026 to $14.20, a lower increase than for other laborers. This statutory disparity is scheduled to be phased out gradually, with full wage parity for farmworkers delayed until 2030.

At the time of this writing, New Jersey’s farm labor population consists largely of Mexican, Guatemalan and

Haitian communities. Modern migrant workers often work with H-2A visas that allow them to come work as long as housing is provided. Of course, questions surrounding immigration policy, race, ethnicity, collective bargaining, living conditions and civil rights continue to shape public debate to this day.

* * *

The Historical Society of West Windsor is an all-volunteer community nonprofit. Every one of us donates our free time, without pay, to document and promote our township’s shared heritage. But we need community support to keep this up. Please consider volunteering or donating at westwindsorhistory.com.

Paul Ligeti is the president of the Historical Society of West Windsor.

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Celebrate America by supporting local shops

By Thomas Fritts

As we head into July, I want to take a moment to reflect on why this year’s Independence Day is so special and meaningful for our community.

This summer, we stand at the crossroads of an incredible milestone.

As a nation, we are celebrating America’s 250th anniversary, a marker of freedom, resilience and unity. Closer to home, we are honoring our local history, our shared struggles and the community triumphs that have helped define who we are.

We have a proud legacy to uphold, and this milestone offers an opportunity to think about what makes our town an exceptional place to live, work and raise a family. It is a time to look back with gratitude and look forward with hope.

Embracing what makes our community special also requires us to recognize the people who keep it running today. While many of us enjoy well-deserved time off at backyard barbecues, family picnics, community festivals and other summer traditions, local business owners and their staffs are working hard.

They sacrifice time with their own loved ones to help ensure our celebrations are seamless, vibrant and filled with joy. They work behind the scenes to power our community spirit, making sure our needs are met even when much of the world has paused to celebrate.

Think about the effort happening on our doorsteps and along our main streets this week. From chefs and kitchen staffs preparing meals at local eateries to business owners greeting customers at specialty boutiques, flower shops and retail stores, these neighbors stay open during major holidays.

They provide curated products, festive centerpieces and personalized services when we need them most. They are the backbone of our local economy, the creators of our town’s character and the friendly faces that make our neighborhoods feel close-knit, safe and welcoming.

It is important to support these establishments and preserve our downtown business district for generations to come. When we choose to shop locally, we are not just making a transaction; we are investing in the future of our town.

We should recognize and appreciate the quality of the services we are fortunate to have right at our fingertips. Without these small businesses, our streets would lose much of their character, vitality and historic charm. They keep our dollars local and our community thriving.

When you look up to watch fireworks light the night sky or gather with loved ones for local festivities this holiday, remember that we are not just celebrating a date in history. We are celebrating the generations of hardworking neighbors who built this community block by block, and the dedicated people who sustain it today. Our small-town spirit has always been, and will always be, our greatest strength. Let’s carry that pride forward by choosing to shop local, honoring our past and helping shape a prosperous future for everyone.

Have a safe, happy and meaningful Fourth of July.

Thomas Fritts is the associate publisher of community news service.

thomas Fritts

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