The Spirit of 1776 South Jersey Celebration, a weekend dedicated to American history, service and civic pride, Sept. 18-20
South Jersey will continue the celebration of America’s 250th birthday this September with a three-day gathering featuring fireworks, live music, living history, military honors and plenty of family-friendly activities.
For organizer and U.S. Army veteran Mike Bongiorno, the milestone is one that deserves more than another date on the calendar.
“None of us will ever have another opportunity to celebrate something like this, and we felt South Jersey deserved a celebration that matched the significance of the occasion,” Bongiorno said.
The Spirit of 1776 South Jersey Celebration, also billed as the Freedom 250 Experience, will take place Sept. 18-20 at Veterans Memorial Park in Egg Harbor Township, bringing together communities from across the region for a weekend dedicated to American history, military and public service, community and civic pride.
Bongiorno and fellow organizers formed the Spirit of 1776 South Jersey Celebration as an all-volunteer nonprofit specifically to commemorate the nation’s semiquincentennial.
“This isn’t about politics,” Bongiorno said. “It’s about patriotism, history, community, and remembering the sacrifices of the generations before us that allow us to enjoy the freedoms we have today.”
The celebration will include veterans, active-duty military members, first responders, historical societies, schools, civic organizations, businesses and families from throughout South Jersey.
Organizers also hope to make history tangible for children who may otherwise encounter the American Revolution primarily through textbooks and classrooms.
“We wanted our children to experience history rather than simply read about it,” Bongiorno said. “If a young person leaves this celebration asking a parent about the Revolution, talking about the veterans they met, remembering the reenactors or military displays they saw, or simply feeling proud to be part of their community, then we accomplished something important.”
The centerpiece of the weekend will be a full day of free activities Saturday, Sept. 19, beginning with a Patriot Parade at 9 a.m.
At 10:30 a.m., a Grand Inaugural Ceremony will formally open the celebration, bringing veterans, military personnel, first responders, elected officials and community leaders together for patriotic music, military honors and special presentations.
The program continues at 11 a.m. with a military band performance, followed by a special 250th Birthday of America program at noon.
At 1 p.m., visitors can enjoy a performance from a Mummers String Band, followed at 2 p.m. by a program honoring America’s founders. A civilian band will take the stage at 3 p.m., and a community Catholic Mass, which organizers say is open to all, will be held at 4 p.m.
The celebration picks up again at 6:30 p.m. with pre-fireworks entertainment before a patriotic fireworks finale around 7:30 p.m., or dusk.
But visitors should expect much more than a series of ceremonies.
“We want people to come expecting a huge, old-fashioned American community celebration, and it’s free,” Bongiorno said.
Throughout the weekend, Revolutionary and Civil War reenactors will help bring American history to life alongside historical displays, military and emergency vehicles, musical performances, bagpipes, Mummers, K-9 demonstrations, cannon fire and other attractions.
Families can also expect bounce houses, a petting zoo, face painting, caricature artists and other children’s activities.
“There really is something for every generation,” Bongiorno said. “You can bring your children to have fun, introduce them to American history, shake the hand of a veteran or first responder, listen to great music and spend the day together as a family.”
History will take center stage throughout the weekend, with historical societies and organizations from across South Jersey expected to participate in living-history programming and educational displays.
For Bongiorno, South Jersey is particularly well suited to commemorate the anniversary because of the region’s own ties to the country’s history.
“South Jersey has an incredible connection to American history, and sometimes I don’t think we fully appreciate just how much history is right here in our own backyard,” he said.
That history includes Revolutionary War soldiers buried in Egg Harbor Township as well as historic sites, cemeteries, family histories and stories throughout the region that connect local communities to the country’s founding and development.
Bongiorno said the anniversary also offers an opportunity to consider what younger generations will carry forward.
“Our country isn’t perfect, and our history isn’t perfect, but for 250 years generation after generation of Americans have worked, sacrificed, served and sometimes given their lives to keep this experiment going,” he said. “That deserves to be remembered.”
Honoring veterans and first responders is particularly personal for Bongiorno.
“One part that means a great deal to me personally is honoring our veterans and first responders,” he said. “We can celebrate 250 years of freedom because generations of Americans have been willing to serve and sacrifice to protect it. We want them to know that South Jersey remembers and appreciates them.”
The organizing group itself reflects that emphasis on service. Along with Bongiorno, a U.S. Army veteran, members include retired U.S. Army Brigadier General Doug Satterfield, U.S. Air Force veteran Gloria Bolton, U.S. Navy veteran Ray Williams and community leader Sam Summerville.
The Spirit of 1776 South Jersey Celebration grew out of a local effort to create a regional observance of the national milestone. Earlier this summer, Bongiorno told the Egg Harbor Township Committee that residents had formed a nonprofit organization to coordinate the weekend-long celebration. The Township Committee subsequently approved a resolution supporting the effort.
But Bongiorno emphasizes that organizers have envisioned the gathering as much more than an Egg Harbor Township event.
“We created this as a South Jersey celebration and have reached out across the region to veterans’ organizations, historical societies, military organizations, first responders, schools, community groups and others to participate,” he said.
The scope of the weekend has required an extensive volunteer effort, supported by sponsors, community partners and participating organizations.
“An incredible amount of work has gone into creating a free event of this size,” Bongiorno said.
The festivities will span three days, although organizers note that additional details for Friday, Sept. 18, are still to come.
On Sunday, Sept. 20, the weekend winds down with a closing ceremony at noon, followed by a kite-flying contest at 1 p.m.
Visitors are encouraged to arrive early for major events and allow additional time for traffic, parking and walking. Comfortable shoes, water and sun protection are also recommended for the outdoor festivities.
While communities across the country have marked the United States’ 250th anniversary throughout 2026, Bongiorno hopes South Jersey residents will see the September gathering as a chance to create their own memories of the historic year.
“Two hundred and fifty years only happens once,” he said.
“Come out. Bring the family. Meet your neighbors. Learn some history. Thank a veteran. Wave an American flag. Enjoy the parade and fireworks. And for three days, let’s simply celebrate America together.”
The main Saturday celebration is free to attend. Additional event details and schedule updates are available through the Spirit of 1776 South Jersey Celebration website.
Sarah Fertsch of Egg Harbor Township holds a Bachelors of Arts in Public Relations. She is a locally renowned poet, storyteller, and dog lover.
