Public Has Two Chances To Watch Washington's Daring Crossing In Bucks

WASHINGTON CROSSING, PA —This year there are two opportunities to watch the 71st Reenactments of General George Washington crossing the Delaware River. They will take place on Sunday, Dec. 10 and Monday, Dec. 25 at Washington Crossing Historic Park, located at the intersection of Routes 532 and 32 (River Road).

George Washington’s daring crossing of the Delaware River on Christmas night in 1776 is a historic moment that continues to live on, as each year thousands of people gather to watch the realistic reenactment. Throughout this popular annual event, children and adults of all ages can hear General Washington give his inspiring speech alongside passionate historic reenactors in traditional Continental military dress.

Washington leads his troops across the Delaware River. (Contributed)

The first opportunity is on Sunday, Dec. 10 from 11 to 3 p.m. with the actual Crossing at 1 p.m. Not only can the public see soldiers make the daring journey rowing across the Delaware River in replica Durham boats, but they can experience the Colonial Era for a day.

Families can join in colonial demonstrations with reenactors, providing a full day of learning, fun, and memories that will last a lifetime in addition to the Crossing. Guests are invited to participate in activities with a period baker and blacksmith, as well as 18th-century sutlery, presentations on artillery, camp followers and musket firing, in addition to kids drills, toys, games, and much more.

Jason Q. Bohm, a Marine with more than 30 years of service who has commanded at every level from platoon commander to commanding general in peacetime and war, will narrate the event. He has written several articles for the Marine Corps Gazette and won various writing awards from the Marine Corps Association. The park will also be hosting children's author Jenny Cote, who has a passion for making history fun for kids of all ages and speaks on creative writing to schools, universities and conferences around the world. She will be sharing two of her novels, which contain historical fiction about the Crossing and the American Revolution.

The cost to be the first to attend at the Dec. 10 Crossing is $9 for adults, $5 for children ages five to 11, and free for children under five. Save with the special family package rate, $25 for two adults and two children. Guests can purchase tickets ahead of time at

WashingtonCrossingPark.org/cross-with-us, where all proceeds will continue to support educational programs for the public about this powerful moment in American history.

Historic reenactors in traditional Continental military dress watch as the crossing unfolds. (Contributed)

The Christmas Day Crossing will take place from noon to 3 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 25 with the actual crossing at 1 p.m. While there is no cost to view the Christmas Day Crossing, in order to secure a good view, it is recommended to arrive by 11:30 a.m.

River crossings are contingent upon safe weather conditions for participants. However, even if conditions do not allow for crossing, guests can still participate in historic ceremonies, speeches, and commemorative colonial-era activities.

To stay up to date on what is happening in the park, visit WashingtonCrossingPark.org.