Step Back in Time: Experience the Magic of Pinkster at Historic New Bridge Landing
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
River Edge NJ, Spring has officially arrived in the Garden State, and there is no better way to celebrate renewal than by attending one of New Jersey’s oldest and most culturally rich traditions. The Bergen County Historical Society (BCHS) is proud to announce the return of the Pinkster Festival on Sunday, May 17, 2026.
Located at the beautiful Historic New Bridge Landing in River Edge, this family-friendly event offers a rare glimpse into the 18th-century customs that shaped our local heritage.
What is Pinkster? A Celebration of Unity and Culture
Originally a Dutch holiday marking Pentecost, Pinkster evolved in the New York and New Jersey areas into a vibrant African American holiday. It became a significant time for community gathering, storytelling, and the celebration of spring.
Event Highlights:
-
Ancestral Pouring Ceremony: Led by BCHS Trustee Muriel Roberts at 1:15 p.m. and 2:15 p.m.
-
The Evolution of Pinkster: A captivating talk at 2:30 p.m. by Muriel Roberts on how this Jersey Dutch celebration became a cornerstone of African American history.
-
Maypole Dancing: Watch the Tricorne Dance Ensemble perform traditional 18th-century dances at 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Children can even join in at 3:00 p.m.!
-
Live Period Music: Enjoy the sounds of the fiddle and hammered dulcimer played by Ridley and Anne Enslow.
Colonial Crafts, Cooking, and History
History buffs and families alike will find plenty to explore across the historic grounds:
-
The 1752 Steuben House: Tour the house to see Revolutionary War artifacts and rare Dutch paintings.
-
Live Demonstrations: See lacemaking by Beth Harpell and broom making at the Westervelt-Thomas Barn.
-
The Jersey Dutch Out-Kitchen: Taste history with live cooking demonstrations of Ludwick’s gingerbread and a cheesecake based on a recipe from 1682!
-
Scavenger Hunt & Games: Kids can enjoy colonial-era games and a high-tech QR code-based scavenger hunt.
Plan Your Visit
-
When: Sunday, May 17, 2026 | 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
-
Where: Historic New Bridge Landing, River Edge, NJ.
-
Cost: Adults $12, Students $7, BCHS Members are FREE.
-
Getting There: Free parking is available on-site, or take NJ Transit to the “New Bridge Landing” station (Pascack Valley Line)—just one block away!
-
Pet Policy: Leashed dogs are welcome outdoors (no pets allowed inside the historic houses).
Celebrate the spirit of spring and the diverse history of Bergen County. Reservations are encouraged! For more details, visit the official Bergen County Historical Society website.
Tell your story #TheRidgewoodblog , #Indpendentnews, #information, #advertise, #guestpost, #affiliatemarketing,#NorthJersey, #NJ , #News, #localnews, #bergencounty, #sponsoredpost, #SponsoredContent, #contentplacement , #linkplacement, Email: Onlyonesmallvoice@gmail.com
Supported in part by a grant from the NJ Department of State Division of Travel and Tourism.
-
Tags: #BergenCounty #Pinkster2026 #HistoricNewBridgeLanding #NJEvents #LivingHistory #FamilyFunNJ #GardenStateHeritage
