The Haddonfield Skirmish Brings South Jersey’s Colonial History to Life in Day-Long Event on June 4

After a two-year hiatus, Haddonfield’s popular revolutionary war reenactment will return in June 2022. The Skirmish brings history books to life with a day of Revolutionary War soldiers, horses, clashes between colonists and redcoats, family-friendly programming, music, and important moments from South Jersey and Haddonfield’s history in the founding of the U.S.

On Saturday, June 4, 2022, the British will invade Haddonfield and be challenged by Continental troops, just as they did 244 years ago — in June 1778. Redcoats on horseback will charge, muskets will be fired, and the Continentals will try to stop the redcoats before they head off to New York (and are intercepted at the Battle at Monmouth). The Skirmish and a day of events surrounding it take place on and around Kings Highway, Haddonfield’s main street.

The Skirmish, an outdoor, free event, has been running for a decade.

“Back in 1778, during the British Troop evacuation of occupied Philadelphia, George Washington ordered the local militia to “annoy” the redcoats. Both sides would Skirmish throughout South Jersey until they finally battled at Monmouth, and so on June 4, 2022, we will annoy them again!,” says Joe Murphy, Chair of the Skirmish Committee. “We love being able to once again share our community’s rich Revolutionary War history in a fun, family-friendly way.”

Schedule of Events:
June 4, 2022
10 a.m.: Redcoats begin “looting and pillaging” Haddonfield
11 a.m. Brief clash between Redcoats and Continentals on Kings Highway, featuring reenactors from The Second Pennsylvania Regiment of the Continental Line and First Battalion of New Jersey Volunteers
2 p.m.: The Skirmish, featuring redcoats on horseback, muskets, and Revolutionary War reenactors on Kings Highway

Activities throughout the day (check the website for actual times):
Battle of the Brews at King’s Road Brewing Company: Revolutionary Red for the British redcoats v. Ample Vengeance for the Continental Troops (public votes for a winner)
Historic exhibits and History Faire at the Masonic Temple
Betsy Ross quilt and patchwork workshop at Markeim Arts Center
Interactive Revolutionary War themed clay workshop at Markeim’s Clay Studio
Meet character and soldier reenactors
Yelling contest (“The British Are Coming!”)
Colonial dancing at the Haddon Fortnightly
Pillory prisoners
Learn sword fighting from Sword and Swagger
Open house at the Indian King Tavern, where New Jersey officially became a state
Colonial auction at the Indian King Tavern
See a blacksmith, a tinsmith and a quilling artist at work at the Indian King Tavern
Free colonial caricatures at the Farmers Market
See a Revolutionary War military surgeon at the Masonic Temple
Visit the Queen’s Rangers and their horses at their encampment
Washington Crossing Fife and Drum performance
Colonial era tools and other amusements for children at the Friends Meeting House
Town criers spread the news
Chat with Ben Franklin as he wanders the town and stops in at the Masonic Temple
Haddonfield Plays and Players performs songs from “The Kings Road” a show about the Indian King Tavern, and plays colonial music at the Haddonfield Farmers’ Market
The Sea Dogs – pirates singing shanties
Read the Indian King Gazette, a replica of a colonial era newspaper
Walking tour of the town’s historic buildings (charge applies)
Learn about Colonial era arts and crafts
Get a Colonial era “penny portrait” done by silhouette artist Ted Steussy at the Masonic Temple
Revolutionary War fire-fighting equipment at the Haddon Fire Company No. 1’s museum
Enjoy breakfast with the Colonial Troops ($15 for adults and $10 for children); 9-11:30 a.m. First Presbyterian Church
Children’s pony rides at Haddonfield Financial Planning on Haddon Ave
The Haddonfield Friends Meeting and the Haddonfield Public Library will be designated places on the day of the Skirmish where those who may be sensitive to loud sounds, especially children with special needs, can escape the noise and enjoy a sensory bottle craft, colonial games and toys, a colonial story walk and more.
Racoon Creek Vineyard will be giving free samples of its Old Sourpuss Vinegar “shrubs” (a popular drink from Colonial times made with fruit, sugar, and vinegar) at The Haddon Fortnightly.
Evearts Jewelers of historic Haddonfield will hold an in-person demonstration of the colonial trade of Silversmithing by their Master Jeweler, George Evearts.

Additional events:
Lecture Series, free, 7 pm:
The American Revolution in Our Communities. Kelly Jackson | May 25 at the Masonic Temple, Haddonfield
Secret Codes and Spy-craft in the American Revolution. Doug Thomas | June 1 at Haddonfield Borough Hall
An Evening with George Washington. Doug Thomas will also be portraying George Washington to students in Haddonfield Schools on June 1, prior to his lecture

Window Decorating Contest
Now – May 31
Colonial-era displays in Haddonfield shop windows. Window decorating contest runs May 2-31 and the public votes for the winner. Confirmed participants include Duffy’s Fine Chocolates, Meserall Vision & Hearing, and Anatolia Art & Craft Studio. Organized by Haddonfield Lions Club.

HaddonfieldSkirmish.com is live. This will serve as the “Haddonfield Made Easy” guide for all visitors. It includes the day’s events, where to eat, facilities, and parking.

Battle of the Brews
Kings Road Brewing Company in Haddonfield will be brewing two beers for the Skirmish; “Ample Vengeance IPA” to represent the Colonial Troops and “Revolutionary Red Ale” to represent the British Red Coats. There will be a contest for this a week prior to the event. Fans will post photos on Instagram or Facebook, sharing which brew they choose (Ample Vengeance or Revolutionary Red) using #KRBattleoftheBrews in the caption of the post and tagging The Skirmish and Kings Road accounts. Stay tuned for more details, including the prize!

Haddonfield Outdoor Sculpture Trust (HOST) Display at the Masonic Temple
Stuart Harting, Chair and Founder of HOST, will have a display at the Masonic Temple History Faire, specifically promoting the sculpture of “Militiaman,” coming to Haddonfield in 2023, that is to be placed on Kings Highway near the Indian King. In the future, it would be a symbolic anchor for the Skirmish.

Haddonfield’s Revolutionary History
In 1777, the New Jersey Assembly, fleeing from the British, met in session at Haddonfield’s Indian King Tavern and declared that the “Colony” of New Jersey was now the State of New Jersey (per https://haddonfieldhistory.org/). Both British and American forces encamped at Haddonfield or marched through it during various campaigns. Lafayette was among the leaders of the Revolution who was known to have stayed in the town during the war. In 1903, the Indian King Tavern became the first historic site purchased by the State of New Jersey. More on Haddonfield’s revolutionary history here.

Sponsors
The Skirmish is made possible thanks to support from 1st Colonial Bank, 3 Dimensional Physical Therapy – Haddon Township, ABC Discount Appliances, Allison Nagle Team – RE/MAX One, British Chip Shop, Camden County, Camden County Historical Society, Dynamic Language Services, EarpCohn, Excel Roofing, Flood Vent Installations, Franklin Trailers Inc., Haddonfield Educational Trust, Haddonfield Financial Planning, Henry Bean & Sons, Jefferson Health, Kings Road Brewing Company, Lenny, Vermaat & Leonard, Lindsey Watson McCarthy – Weichert Realtors, McLaughlin Asset Management, Neabore Veterinary Clinic, New Jersey Historical Trust, Passariello’s, PJW Restaurant Group, Remington and Vernick, TD Bank, The Haddonfield Foundation.

About The Friends of the Indian King
The Skirmish is hosted by The Friends of the Indian King, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, which works to preserve and advance the Indian King Tavern Museum, the first New Jersey State historic site, and to raise public awareness of the museum and its educational programs.