Despite snow, annual Monroe Crossing parade and commemoration in New Hope a blast

Just as they’ve done every year since 1984, Coryell’s Ferry Militia, led by history buff and ice cream purveyor Bob Gerenser, again commemorated former U.S. President James Monroe’s historic crossing of the Delaware River in 1776.

The firing of a historic old cannon is one of the event’s highlights, and for those who enjoy a good explosion now and then, this piece of artillery didn’t disappoint, with multiple loud-as-all-get-out reports along with the staccato of smaller black powder fire.

“Preeminent among the events during the winter of 1776 was the vital mission carried out by then-Lieutenant James Monroe and Captain William Washington (George’s third cousin),” according to the Coryell’s Ferry Militia. “General George Washington asked for volunteers to cross the Delaware River at dusk ahead of his party to cut off communications between the British stationed at Princeton and the Hessian mercenaries billeted in the old French and Indian War Barracks at Trenton.

Through the annual Monroe crossing commemoration, Coryell’s Ferry militia aims to keep alive Monroe’s story of triumph, along with the historically significant role played by New Hope and Lambertville during the American Revolutionary War. Here’s a couple of more more pictures from the event, which was well-attended despite dire weather forecasts.