Here's What's Happening on Heritage Day

Easton Heritage Day returns for its 36th year Sunday with its usual mix of history, music, food and culture.

What's not so usual this year?

The arrival of more than a dozen town criers from the U.S. and Canada.

Heritage Day marks Easton's status as one of only three communities where the Declaration of Independence was publicly read in July 1776.

This year, before re-enactor Chris Black does the reading, the town criers will debate the key issue of 1776: Should the Colonies seek independence, or stay part of Great Britain?

The day will also include trolley tours around the city, live music, and—as always—a fireworks display along the river after dark.

Here's a complete schedule:

9 a.m: First United Church of Christ hosts this year’s ecumenical worship service in union with First Presbyterian, St. John’s Lutheran, and Trinity Episcopal.

10 a.m: Ecumenical service at Riverside Park. 

11 a.m to 4 p.m: Free admission and tours of Bachmann Publick House. At 11 a.m., there will be an 18th century fashion show, followed by a mock trial of a colonial citizen accused of horse theft.

11 a.m. to 5 p.m: The Sigal Museum hosts “Liberty Called and Northampton County Answered,” an exhibit of WW I and WW II posters and artifacts, $5 admission. The museum will also feature “A Sampling of Easton’s Historic Buildings,” presented by historian Richard Hope at 11 a.m. and “Captured by Indians: The Gilbert Family Ordeal,” by historian John Moore at 1 p.m.

11 a.m: “For Independence or King George,” argued by American and Canadian town criers, on the Heritage Stage.

Noon: Reenactment of the reading of the Declaration of Independence by Chris Black, Heritage Stage.

12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m: Classic car show 

1 p.m: Treaty of Easton Pageant (French & Indian War), Heritage Stage

1 p.m. to 4 p.m: Children’s shows at the Pint-Size Stage, 200 block of Northampton Street, including: Puppets by The Yipee Show, Clancy the 
Clown, juggling by Alex Kowalcyk, a magic show by Tom Yurasits, and Lilli and Clown.


1 p.m. to 4 p.m: Historic Easton Trolley Tour (free) – State Theatre (tour), Easton Area Public Library (view original Easton flag), Jacob Nicholas House (tours 11 a.m.-4 p.m.), Parson Taylor House/St. John’s Lutheran Church, Trinity Episcopal Church


1 p.m. to 5 p.m: Trolley Tour of College Hill, sponsored by the College Hill Neighborhood Association, leaves from Bachmann Publick House on the hour. Nominal fee charged.

1 p.m: Uke Jackson’s Big Bottom Band, Star Spangled Stage

1 p.m: Carter Lansing, Homespun Stage

2 p.m: The Lost Ramblers, Homespun Stage

2:30 p.m. – Music of the Civil War and the Maritimes by The Jolly Tars, Heritage Stage

2:30 p.m. – Mayor Panto will meet a boat carrying a keg of Three Sisters Brew, a specialty beer made by the Shawnee Craft Brewery, at Scott Park's boat launch. The beer  is made from the three staples of the Colonial era Indians – corn, beans, and squash. Samples available at the Bachmann Publick House. 

3 p.m: Maria Woodford Band, Star Spangled Stage

3 p.m: Last Small Town, Homespun Stage

3 p.m: Whitehall Guard, Heritage Stage

4 p.m: “Be the Bugler,” with bugler, Mayor Panto, and children, Heritage Stage

4:30 p.m. – Heritage Day festivities move to riverfront, with the Patriot Parade to the Delaware River, leaves from Centre Square

5 p.m: The Great White Caps, The Dell at Scott Park

6 p.m: The School of Rock, Riverside Park

7:30 p.m: The Philadelphia Funk Authority, The Dell at Scott Park (and encore after fireworks)

8 p.m: The Large Flowerheads, Riverside Park (Encore following fireworks)

9:30 p.m: Fireworks viewing from Scott and Riverside Parks