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Ocean County Commemorates the 250th
Ocean County Commemorates the 250th Anniversary of the Fourth of July
Ocean County continues to commemorate the 250th anniversary (Semiquincentennial) of the American Revolution (1775-1783) in what is now Ocean County. The Fourth of July that honored the adoption of the Declaration has come and gone but the county will be celebrating other local events for the next six years and 250 days until April 3, 2033 when we will note that loyalist John Bacon was killed at Rose’s Tavern in Parkertown. Please visit the Ocean250.org website.
Commissioner Robert S. Arace explained, “Ocean County is leading the state of New Jersey in commemorating this important milestone in American history.
Please visit our regularly updated website at http:www.ocean250.org.”
And now the county has released eight documentaries that cover the American Revolution partially funded by a $148,400 grant from the National Park Service Battlefield Planning Grant.
https://co.ocean.nj.us/250thAnniversary/historic-documentary-videos/
The documentaries are from four to eighteen minutes and cover specific events that occurred in what is now Ocean County. They should be useful for students from fourth grade through college.
Commissioner Arace explained, “the parks department is proud to announce the companion publications: Ocean County 250th Revolutionary War Activity Book https://simplebooklet.com/oceancountyamericanrevolutionactivitybookand the fourth volume of the 250th Anniversary: American Revolution in War: Ocean County, New Jersey. https://www.co.ocean.nj.us//WebContentFiles//86cf3a5b-9a17-49d2-8a92-d2427523e7bc.pdf
Publications are available in paper versions or online at www.ocean250.org.”
The County has commissioned an Ocean County 250 Quilt that will contain official seals from each of our 33 municipalities.
Each town will also receive a framed square of their quilt square to mount in their town hall. Heather A. Reenstra is handcrafting both the quilt and the individual squares for each town.
https://co.ocean.nj.us/250thAnniversary/photo-galleries/ocean-county-250-commemorative-quilt/
The County has developed a traveling trailer that has participated in over 31 parades and 208 events throughout New Jersey since 2022, engaging over one million people.
We have traveled throughout the state with our County Liberty Bell and our mini-whale boat Hero’s Revenge. More events have been scheduled.
https://co.ocean.nj.us/250thAnniversary/photo-galleries/war-at-the-shore-traveling-trailer-photo-gallery/
The county invites you to participate at the 23rd commemoration of the Last Documented Land Engagement of the American Revolution at Cedar Bridge Tavern on Sunday, December 6 from 10 AM to 4 PM.
see photo gallery below.
https://co.ocean.nj.us/250thAnniversary/event/affair-at-cedar-creek-bridge-commemoration/
Commissioner Arace continued, “The Cedar Bridge County Historic Site at 200 Old Halfway Road in Barnegat, NJ 08005 is a restored c.1816 tavern that is great introduction to late 18th and early 19th century life in the NJ Pinelands. The tavern is open Thursday through Monday and by special arrangements.”
In fact, schools and civic groups can arrange for complimentary guided tours of the facility. The Ocean County Commissioner’s offer limited financial support for bus transportation to and from the tavern for schools.
https://co.ocean.nj.us/250thAnniversary/news/cedar-bridge-tavern-historic-site-group-tours/
The Parks Department will have planted Liberty Trees at:
Cedar Bridge Tavern at 200 Old Halfway Road, Barnegat, NJ 08005
The Old Manahawkin Baptist Church at 120 North Main Street, Manahawkin, NJ 08050
The Pulaski Monument at South Pulaski Blvd & Kadulubeck Road , Little Egg Harbor, NJ 08087
*The Barnegat Light Museum at 501 Central Avenue, Barnegat Light, NJ 08006
+The Cranberry Inlet Monument at Route 35, Seaside Park, NJ 08751
#Batchelor Street Park, Toms River, NJ 08753
Toms River Courthouse, 118 Washington Street, Toms River, NJ 08753
*Eno’s Pond County Park, 300 East Lacey Road, Forked River, NJ 08731
*Ocean County Parks & Recreation is in the process of installation.
+ Seaside Heights Public Works will instgall.
#Toms River Township Public Works will install.
07.02.2026 drone show flyer
On July 2nd, the county hosted the first county sponsored Spectacular Patriotic Concert and Drone Show with more than 5,000 spectators. See the photo gallery below.
https://co.ocean.nj.us/250thAnniversary/photo-galleries/2026-drone-show/
ocean county in front of Independence Hall July 3
On July 3rd, the county 250 trailer was on its way to Philadelphia for the WAWA Welcome American Parade when they discovered the parade had been abruptly cancelled due to heat and humidity.
The county continued to Philadelphia and spent the morning at the Independence Mall celebrating in costumes and banners.
see the photo gallery below.
https://co.ocean.nj.us/250thAnniversary/photo-galleries/2026-wawa-parade/
dignitaries at blockhouse ceremony
On the fourth of July, the county hosted a reading of the Declaration divided into 34 separate parts and ringing our bells 250 times on the front lawn of the 1850 Ocean County Court House.
Our bells included the Stafford Township School Bell, Kevin Pace Florida Bell, the Ocean County Liberty Bell and the Detwiler Victory Bell.
see photo gallery below.
https://co.ocean.nj.us/250thAnniversary/photo-galleries/july-fourth-2026/
Commissioner Arace added “The Semiquincentennial is an opportunity for all of us to connect with our shared history and celebrate the enduring spirit of our community. I encourage residents, families and visitors to take part in these ongoing programs and events as we honor the past and come together to shape the future of Ocean County.”
07.03.2026 Ocean County trailer crosses the Ben Franklin
