On August 17th, my family and I attended the Sixth Annual March to Yorktown Day in Westfield, NJ. The last time I went was in 2023 with my daughter, which you can read about HERE. This year’s 2025 event drew an impressive crowd and was well planned and organized by Julie Diddel, chair of the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route Association of New Jersey (W3R-NJ). The commemoration marks August 29, 1781, when General Benjamin Lincoln’s division of the Continental Army passed through Westfield on their march to Yorktown, Virginia. At the same time, the French Army under the Comte de Rochambeau took a route slightly west of the Continentals before both forces united near Princeton, NJ. The Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route traces the path of the American and French armies from Newport, Rhode Island, to Yorktown, where their combined campaign led to the British surrender at the Siege of Yorktown in October 1781. Today, the route is preserved as part of the National Park Service. You can read more about the trail HERE.

Opening Ceremony

The program began at noon with an opening ceremony in front of Westfield Town Hall on East Broad Street. The first remarks, by Julie Diddel, chair of W3R-NJ, highlighted the significance of the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Trail and Westfield’s role in the Revolution. She was followed by other speakers, including Westfield Mayor Shelley Brindle and leaders from local historical organizations. General George Washington, portrayed by reenactor Sam Davis, offered an opening prayer, and the New Jersey Fifes and Drums led the crowd in the Star-Spangled Banner.

Symbolic March

After the 20-minute opening ceremony, the crowd followed reenactors portraying George Washington, Comte de Rochambeau, and the Marquis de Lafayette—along with several Westfield officials—on a symbolic march down East Broad Street to Mountain Avenue. At the Presbyterian Church burial grounds, wreaths were placed in honor of the more than 70 Revolutionary War veterans, along with their families and other patriots, who are laid to rest there. From there, the procession continued into Mindowaskin Park. Joining the march were the New Jersey Sons of the American Revolution Color Guard, members of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the New Jersey Fifes and Drums, the Miller-Cory House Museum’s colonial living history interpreters, women camp followers, and the New Jersey Milita- Heard’s Brigade. Check out my Instagram and Facebook accounts for videos of the march.

Mindowaskin Park

The grounds of Mindowaskin Park were transformed into a Revolutionary War encampment, complete with colonial-era games, open-fire cooking demonstrations, and regular drills, marches, and musket firing by soldiers in uniform.  

Local history groups had tents set up around the park to share information, and I enjoyed chatting with members of these organizations. Among them was RevNJ, Princeton Battlefield Society, the Westfield Historical Society, Miller-Cory House Museum, Trent House Museum, Merchants & Drovers Museum, Liberty Hall Museum, Westfield Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Westfield Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, among others. Music from fifes and drums filled the air, giving the whole park the feel of an 18th century encampment.

My family and I grabbed lunch from the food truck run by A Taco Affair, and it was delicious. The restaurant has locations in Westfield, Little Falls, and Denville, as well as Savannah, GA. After eating, we continued exploring the event—listening to the fifes and drums, watching musket demonstrations, and chatting with reenactors.

Mindowaskin Park also has a great playground that my kids enjoyed, and they capped off the afternoon with a treat from the ice cream truck on site.

Overall, we had a great time at March to Yorktown Day in Westfield. The event served as a great reminder of New Jersey’s rich Revolutionary War history and the key role the state played in America’s independence. The Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route Association once again did an excellent job organizing the day and bringing the community together. This year’s program was even larger than the one my daughter and I attended two years ago, and it was great to see such a strong turnout.  As we approach the 250th anniversary of our nation’s birth, make sure to check out events coming up in your local community.

Check out my Instagram and Facebook pages as I’ll be uploading videos of the event.

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