# Event Details - **Event Name**: Trudy Fest - **Event Start and End Date**: Sat, 15 Aug, 2026 at 03:00 pm – Sat, 15 Aug, 2026 at 08:00 pm - **Event Description**: Trudy Fest Saturday, August 15, 2026 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM Veterans Park 51 Bay Avenue, Highlands, NJ Join us as Highlands celebrates the 100th Anniversary of Gertrude "Trudy" Ederle's historic English Channel swim! Trudy trained in the waters of Highlands, where her family summered, before becoming the first woman to conquer the English Channel, forever changing history and inspiring generations with her courage and determination. Celebrate this once-in-a-century milestone with an afternoon of live music by DJ Johnny Jonze, delicious food trucks, a wine and beer garden, specialty vendors, guest speakers, family activities, and waterfront fun for all ages. Children's Activities (Recommended for ages 5 and up.) Trudy's Seaside Kid Zone Kids can create their own Ocean-in-a-Bottle craft, choose a fun temporary tattoo, and enjoy hands-on seaside fun throughout the afternoon. Color with Trudy at the Highlands Art Council booth Stop by throughout the day to color Trudy-themed and ocean-inspired artwork. 4:00 PM – Trudy's Treasures Scavenger Hunt 4:30 PM – Jellyfish Jiggle Toss 5:00 PM – Sea Sponge Relay For the Grown-Ups- Wine & Beer Garden Enjoy a selection of wine and beer while taking in the waterfront, browsing specialty vendors, and listening to live music by DJ Johnny Jonze. Whether you're coming to learn more about Trudy's remarkable legacy, enjoy great food and drinks, shop local vendors, or spend time with family and friends, Trudy Fest is a fun way to celebrate one of Highlands' hometown heroes during this special 100th anniversary. Admission is free, and everyone is welcome! Highlands to Celebrate 100th Anniversary of Gertrude "Trudy" Ederle's Historic English Channel Swim with Trudy Fest "People said women couldn't swim the Channel, but I proved they could."�— Gertrude Ederle One hundred years after Gertrude "Trudy" Ederle made history as the first woman to swim the English Channel, the Borough of Highlands, the Highlands Business Partnership, the Historical Society of Highlands, and local civic organizations invite the public to celebrate her remarkable legacy at Trudy Fest on Saturday, August 15, 2026, from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Veterans Park, 51 Bay Avenue, Highlands, New Jersey. Ederle's inspiring story was recently introduced to a new generation through Disney's Young Woman and the Sea, and now the community where her journey began is commemorating the 100th anniversary of her barrier-breaking achievement with an afternoon of history, entertainment, and family fun. Known around the world as the "Queen of the Waves," Gertrude Ederle forever changed the landscape of women's sports on August 6, 1926, when, at just 20 years old, she became the first woman to successfully swim the English Channel. She completed the crossing in 14 hours and 31 minutes, beating the previous men's record by nearly two hours and establishing a mark that stood until 1950. Although born in New York City, Ederle's story is deeply rooted in Highlands. Each summer, her family stayed in their bayside bungalow in Highlands, where her father taught her to swim. She later trained in the challenging waters of the Shrewsbury River beneath the Highlands Bridge, developing the determination and endurance that would carry her to Olympic glory and international fame. Between the ages of 15 and 19, Ederle set 29 national and world swimming records. At the 1924 Paris Olympic Games, she won a Gold Medal as a member of the United States 400-meter freestyle relay team, along with two Bronze Medals in the individual freestyle events. Her accomplishments made her one of the most celebrated athletes of her era and inspired thousands of women to pursue competitive sports. Featured Speakers & Special Guests: Representing the Trudy Ederle Foundation in Germany will be Founder Rainer Frase and Executive Director Hannah Hubert, who will share the Foundation's efforts to preserve and promote Gertrude Ederle's extraordinary legacy. Hannah Hubert will also serve as one of the event's featured speakers. Joining them will be Mary Ederle Ward, Gertrude Ederle's niece and author of America's Girl: The Incredible Story of How Swimmer Gertrude Ederle Changed the Nation, and Rachel Griffin, an accomplished open-water swimmer from California who successfully swam the English Channel in 2025 on the anniversary of Gertrude Ederle's historic crossing. Rachel will offer a modern-day perspective on the remarkable challenge Trudy conquered a century earlier. Also attending will be Cindy Casson, Director of Community Relations for the Lexington School for the Deaf, where Gertrude Ederle devoted many years of her life teaching swimming to deaf children after losing much of her hearing. Trudy Fest will honor Ederle's extraordinary life with live music by DJ Johnny Jonze, delicious food trucks, a wine and beer garden, specialty vendors, historical displays, Trudy-themed merchandise, guest speakers, and family-friendly activities throughout the afternoon. Children ages five and up can enjoy Trudy's Kid Zone, where they'll create an Ocean-in-a-Bottle craft and receive a temporary tattoo. The Arts Council of Highlands will present an exhibit of artwork created by local artists celebrating Trudy Ederle's legacy, while also hosting Color with Trudy and coloring contests for children of all ages. Additional activities include Trudy's Treasures Scavenger Hunt, Jellyfish Jiggle Toss, and the Sea Sponge Relay. Guests can also enjoy the festival's wine and beer garden, delicious food trucks, specialty vendors, and beautiful waterfront setting while celebrating the extraordinary legacy of Gertrude "Trudy" Ederle. "Trudy wasn't just a champion swimmer; she was a trailblazer," said Sheila Weinstock, President of the Historical Society of Highlands. "She broke barriers for women in sports and inspired generations to believe that anything is possible. Trudy Fest is our community's way of celebrating her incredible legacy 100 years later." Today, nearly a century after her historic swim, Highlands proudly continues to celebrate the hometown heroine whose courage, perseverance, and determination inspired millions around the world. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a sports fan, or simply looking for a memorable summer afternoon, Trudy Fest offers a unique opportunity to celebrate one of America's greatest athletes in the very town that helped shape her extraordinary journey. As Trudy herself once said, "When somebody tells me I cannot do something, that's when I do it." - **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/highlands/trudy-fest/200029986665141 - **Event Categories**: festivals, music, live-music, entertainment, sports, food-drinks, art, kids, contests - **Interested Audience**: - total_interested_count: 151 ## Ticket Details ## Event venue details - **city**: Highlands - **state**: NJ - **country**: United States - **location**: Veterans Memorial Park, Highlands, Nj - **lat**: 40.398743964595 - **long**: -73.982905889986 - **full address**: Veterans Memorial Park, Highlands, Nj, United States ## Event gallery - **Alt text**: Trudy Fest - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events9/banners/93be191280dac2e55ceb08cd7ee2f6063d7ff1136bc8fa32ed6f842ef58ed312-rimg-w1200-h618-dc081848-gmir?v=1786658152 ## FAQs - **Q**: When and where is Trudy Fest being held? - **A:** Trudy Fest takes place on Sat, 15 Aug, 2026 at 03:00 pm to Sat, 15 Aug, 2026 at 08:00 pm at Veterans Memorial Park, Highlands, Nj, United States. - **Q**: Who is organizing Trudy Fest ? - **A:** Trudy Fest is organized by Highlands Business Partnership, Highlands NJ. - **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me? - **A:** Trudy Fest is ideal for festival lovers, culture enthusiasts, and anyone looking for a vibrant, immersive community experience. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Highlands, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. With 150+ people already showing interest, this is clearly an event worth adding to your calendar - don't miss out. ## Structured Data (JSON-LD) ```json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Festival", "name": "Trudy Fest", "image": "https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events9/banners/93be191280dac2e55ceb08cd7ee2f6063d7ff1136bc8fa32ed6f842ef58ed312-rimg-w1200-h618-dc081848-gmir?v=1786658152", "startDate": "2026-08-15", "endDate": "2026-08-15", "url": "https://allevents.in/highlands/trudy-fest/200029986665141", "location": { "@type": "Place", "name": "Veterans Memorial Park, Highlands, Nj", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "Veterans Park Aka the New Park, Bay Ave, Highlands, NJ 07732, United States", "addressLocality": "Highlands", "addressRegion": "NJ", "addressCountry": "US" }, "geo": { "@type": "GeoCoordinates", "latitude": "40.398743964595", "longitude": "-73.982905889986" } }, "eventAttendanceMode": "https://schema.org/OfflineEventAttendanceMode", "description": "Trudy Fest\n\nSaturday, August 15, 2026\n3:00 PM – 8:00 PM\nVeterans Park\n51 Bay Avenue, Highlands, NJ\n\nJoin us as Highlands celebrates the 100th Anniversary of Gertrude \"Trudy\" Ederle's historic English Channel swim! 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