The Warren Heritage Society and the County of Warren are proud to officially kick off their participation in America’s 250th Anniversary with From Lanterns to Liberty, a full-day public celebration honoring the spirit of our nation’s founding.
The celebration will take place on Saturday, April 18, 2026, throughout the heart of historic downtown Front Royal. Daytime activities will be centered on the Warren Heritage Society grounds, with an expanded adjacent event area made possible through the generous partnership of Valley Health.
Planned as an afternoon and evening event for all ages, From Lanterns to Liberty will feature an immersive blend of living history, hands-on colonial crafts, music, storytelling, and student performances. Daytime programming will include blacksmithing, colonial cooking, candle making, basket weaving, sewing, Revolutionary-inspired art projects, and lantern-making workshops. Students and youth groups will participate through readings, music, and performances, reinforcing the educational mission of the VA250 initiative.
Evening programming includes community reflections a fife and drum performance, a ceremonial musket demonstration, and the Paul Revere’s Midnight Glow Walk, with families carrying lanterns through downtown Front Royal along Chester Street from the Warren Heritage Society to the Front Royal Gazebo.
The evening concludes with a dramatic recreation of the famous signal, “One if by land, two if by sea,” using illuminated lanterns, followed by patriotic songs and a closing reading of Longfellow’s poem.
Local businesses are encouraged to participate by lighting windows and sidewalks with lanterns and luminaries along the Glow Walk route. Colonial attire is welcome, though not required. The event is free, family-friendly, and open to the public. Chester Street will be closed to traffic during the Glow Walk to ensure a safe, walkable experience.
From Lanterns to Liberty marks the first of several America 250 programs planned throughout 2026 as Warren County commemorates 250 years of American independence.
Follow our page for updates and additional details as the event approaches.
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