Looking for something patriotic to attend on the Fourth of July, as long as it has an equine element?
Celebrate the 243d anniversary of the Declaration of Independence signing at Ringwood Manor in Ringwood State Park, located in northern New Jersey.
There will be crafts, demonstrations and children’s activities from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., while the Manor is open to the public from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. for self-guided tours.
The main program begins with an explanation of the historical background of declaring independence at 2 p.m. Re-enactors will perform a militia muster and debate between loyalists and “rebels.” News that the Declaration has been signed and the document itself will be brought at 2:30 p.m. by three horseback re-enactors — Chris Arzt on Jäger, a Standardbred; Brett Bokman on Pistol, a Quarter Horse and Joe Puccetti on Vic, a 100 percent Foundation Morgan.
The dramatic reading of the Declaration will be followed by a flag ceremony and a salute to the new nation at 3 p.m.
You can do it all, pay homage to a key moment in our nation’s history and still have time for your barbeque.