Parade Celebrating America's 250th Birthday Will Be June 28 In Middletown

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — 2026 is a big year for the United States of America: This year celebrates 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence in the summer of 1776.

America will celebrate a nationwide semiquincentennial, and here locally, Monmouth County and Middletown will host a big parade, called "America’s Big Birthday Parade: Red, White & You."

The parade will be held Sunday, June 28 at 12:30 p.m. The parade will be in Middletown Township. The route will be 2.3 miles beginning at the train station, north on Church Street, right on Kings Highway, left on New Monmouth Road, left on Cherry Tree Farm Road and right into Mater Dei Park. The parade will end at the new Mater Dei Park in Middletown, where the county will host America’s Big Birthday Festival, taking place from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the park. The festival will feature food trucks, live entertainment, family-friendly activities and more. Here is the route map of the parade: https://monmouthnj250.org/wp-c...

Do you or your group want to walk in the parade? Parade participants are encouraged to help bring America’s 250th birthday to life by incorporating creative visual elements, music, costumes and artistic expressions that reflect the spirit of this once-in-a-lifetime semiquincentennial celebration. Parade rules, regulations and an application are available at monmouthnj250.org/monmouth-county-250-parade.

“This will be one of the largest and most exciting public events Monmouth County has ever hosted,” said Monmouth County Commissioner Director Thomas Arnone, co chair of the MonmouthNJ 250 Committee. “From marching bands to community groups, the parade will showcase the incredible people, organizations and traditions that define who we are. It’s more than a celebration — it’s an opportunity for our entire county to come together, reflect on our past and look ahead with pride and optimism.”

“We envision a spectacular parade filled with vibrant floats, live performances, and plenty of red, white and blue,” said Christine Hanlon, Monmouth County Clerk and Co-Chair of the MonmouthNJ 250 Committee. "This event will be a tribute to our communities, our county, and our great nation, centered around the three themes of our semiquincentennial celebration: Patriotism for our county, pride in our communities and participation in this historic milestone. It will be a signature moment for Monmouth County, bringing together residents, families, and visitors to celebrate our shared history and the spirit that makes our county so special.”

That June 28 date coincides with the 248th anniversary of the Battle of Monmouth, one of the most pivotal battles of the American Revolutionary War. The parade will honor the Battle of Monmouth, fought on June 28, 1778, while also highlighting Monmouth County’s rich and influential role in the American Revolution and its continued contributions to the nation over the past 250 years.

“Middletown is honored to host Monmouth County’s America 250 parade in a place where our nation’s fight for independence truly came to life,” said Mayor Tony Perry. “This is a town shaped by the Revolutionary War, and by the people who stood up for independence. We’re looking forward to honoring their legacy and celebrating our shared history with residents and visitors on the very ground where that history was made.”

For more information about the MonmouthNJ 250 Committee and upcoming events celebrating America’s 250th birthday, visit MonmouthNJ250.org or follow @MonmouthNJ250 on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.