Bristol Borough will mark the 200th anniversary of Revolutionary War hero Marquis de Lafayette’s return with a parade followed by festivities including a grand procession from Adams Hollow Bridge down banner-lined Radcliffe Street to Mill Street on Sunday. Lafayette reenactor Ben Goldman will lead the procession in a horse-drawn carriage, followed by a formal dedication of the Lafayette Mural gifted by BMP Development Co. by muralist Jared Bader.
This celebration is part of the National Lafayette 200 Celebration, a 13-month-long bicentennial honoring Lafayette’s triumphant return to the United States, which is embedded in the collective unconscious of Bristol by the “Welcome Friend” sign he rode under, now hangs in Borough Hall on Pond Street.
Bristol Borough Municipal Building
Credit Jeff Bohen Lower Bucks Source
Beginning in New York City and spanning the original 24 states he visited during his 1824-1825 tour, each event reaffirms Lafayette’s enduring legacy of freedom, equality, and human rights.
This celebration promises to be one of the most memorable events in Historic Bristol Boroughs’ history, bringing together the charm of this historic riverfront town and the timeless legacy of Lafayette, organizers said.
Festivities will kick off at 2 p.m. at Adams Hollow Bridge (a block away from St. Mark’s Church), with a parade down Radcliffe Street, recreating Lafayette’s grand procession into Bristol.
The streets will be adorned with colorful banners as local students in festive attire shower the procession with flowers, while the Freemasons of Bristol, local firefighters in full-dress uniforms, and the Pennsbury High School Marching Band add to the patriotic display. Lafayette himself (portrayed by Mark Schneider) in a horse-drawn carriage will follow as the “piece de resistance.”
Bristol Borough Mayor, Ralph DiGuiseppe III, will reveal a new Lafayette Street sign, created by Kitsie Saldan, a member of the Bristol Cultural and Historical Foundation.
The procession will culminate in a lively stage event at the corner of Radcliffe and Mill Streets, where in addition to remarks from local dignitaries and leadership, reenactors will bring history to life, including:
- The Marquis de Lafayette, who championed freedom and liberty across the globe.
- Mrs. Charles Bessonett, who nursed a young Lafayette overnight in Bristol after his injury at the Battle of Brandywine.
- James Armistead Lafayette, an enslaved African American spy who worked under Lafayette’s command during the Revolutionary War.
Adding to the excitement will be live music performances from the Bristol Borough Cultural and Historical Foundation Community Band, the Snyder-Girotti Elementary Band, and the Bristol High School Drumline.
The grand finale of the celebration will be the unveiling and dedication of a beautiful new Lafayette Mural.
The artwork, created by renowned muralist Jared Bader, has been generously gifted by BMP Development Co. and will stand as a lasting testament to Lafayette’s visit, cementing Bristol Borough’s role in America’s historic journey toward freedom.
After the procession and ceremony, visitors are invited to stay and enjoy the day in Bristol’s vibrant and booming downtown area, where local restaurants, bars, and stores will offer special dishes and drinks inspired by Lafayette himself.
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