If you haven’t decided on your New Years’ Eve plans yet, Patriots Week has plenty of fun scheduled for the final day of 2022!
This year, the last day of Patriots Week is jam-packed with activities for every history enthusiast in your life. Whether you want to march in the footsteps of Continental soldiers or attend a concert to ring in the New Year, there is an event for everyone to enjoy. Read on to learn more about the excitement planned for the Patriots Week finale:
- Old Barracks Museum: The Old Barracks will be transformed into a vision of the past as American Soldiers greet guests of the museum. The soldiers will tell the tale of fighting alongside George Washington in 1776 and chat with guests regarding any questions you may have. Then, at 11 am and 1 pm, the soldiers will drill and fire their muskets on the Parade ground at the Old Barracks. During this demonstration, the soldiers will give guests a first-hand glimpse into how Washington’s troops took down the British and Hessians. If you’ve ever wondered what the Barracks looked like during the Revolutionary era, now’s your chance to find out!
- The Stars of 1776: For any astronomy enthusiasts, you’ll want to make your way to the planetarium at the New Jersey State Museum (205 W State St.). Public admission for this event is $10 for adults, $5 for children 12 and under, and $5/per person for groups of 15 or more. Presentations will be held at 12 pm and 3 pm. Guests can gather under the stars and explore the night sky as it would have been in 1776.
- Hogmonay: If you’re looking for a proper New Year’s Eve celebration, look no further than Hogmonay at the William Trent House (15 Market St.)! Ring in the New Year in the Scottish tradition with various activities to get you ready for 2023. Guests can listen to live bagpipers, learn the traditional shortbread recipe, hear Scottish folk tales, indulge in some Scottish treats, and close out the afternoon with a wish send-off for 2023! The event kicks off at 2 pm, so be ready to celebrate!
- Continental Army March to Mill Hill: At 4 pm, guests can gather at the Old Barracks to watch Soldiers of the Continental Army march from the Old Barracks Museum to Mill Hill Park. Upon their arrival, they will drill and fire their muskets, giving guests a first-hand glimpse into the action of the Revolutionary War.
- Assunpink Firewalk: At 5 pm, guests are invited to the Iron Bridge at Mill Hill Park, where they will be greeted with traditional music, cookies, and warm drinks. There will be a dramatic 13-torch lighting along the riverbank, followed by a reading of Thomas Paine’s “The American Crisis.”
- Peace Vigil: From 5-6 pm, all are welcome to gather at the 1739 Friends Meeting House (142 E Hanover St) for the annual peace vigil in the manner of Quakers. The Friends Meeting House was central to Trenton’s role in the Revolution: British Dragoons were housed at the grounds in 1776, and George Clymer, the Pennsylvania signer of the Declaration of Independence, is interred in the burial ground. Much like a traditional Quaker meeting, attendees of the vigil are encouraged to contemplate and speak if they feel moved.
- Capital Philharmonic Orchestra’s New Years’ Eve Concert: Close out the evening in style at the Patriots Theater at the Trenton War Memorial (1 Memorial Dr.) You can purchase tickets online here: CPNJ – Tickets. Attendees can enjoy the tunes of artists from the 1940s and 50s, including Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, Gershwin, and more. In addition, Paula Johns will serenade audiences with a stunning tribute to Ella Fitzgerald. Guests can also look forward to a surprise from CPNJ’s Principal Trumpet, Bob Gravener.
With an epic schedule of historic proportions, this last day of 2022 will surely be one of your best. If you want to read more about Patriots Week and the exciting day ahead, you can visit their website here: Patriots Week – Home. Also, if you have any questions, please get in touch with the Trenton Downtown Association at (609) 337-8439. We hope you’re ready for a blast into the past!
