REV FEST 250, an outdoor event that includes live entertainment, food trucks and more than 1,000 people reenacting the Revolutionary War's Battle of White Plains in the nation's 250th anniversary year, will be Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 24-25.
The free event,
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, will be at Cross River hamlet's more than4,300-acre Ward Pound Ridge Reservation. People are encouraged to bring picnic blankets. Leashed dogs are permitted.Festival goers can explore Continental and British army encampments, meet more than 500 history exhibitors portraying soldiers and civilians, see military drills, musket and artillery firing, artisan trades, and delve into life during the Revolution.
Watch the armies assemble and march toward the main event
— the Battle of White Plains reenactment. The demonstration will feature reenactors who represent 75 different historical uniformed units.
The Battle of White Plains
The Oct. 28, 1776, Battle of White Plains featured George Washington and British forces as well as Hessians — German forces hired by the British. Washington was heading north from New York City after disastrous defeats there to the British in the war's largest battle. Then the Battle of Pelham/Pell's Point — a reenactment was held Oct. 18 — had helped Washington evade the British, and the Battle of White Plainsfollowed. Eventually, Washington crossed the Hudson River into New Jersey. The British went on to try to cut off supplies to him and his soldiers, including 1777 raids on northern Westchester's Peekskilland on nearby Danbury, Connecticut, which led to the Battle of Ridgefield (which featured Benedict Arnold).
“We’re proud to welcome visitors and residents to experience the living legacy of Westchester’s pivotal role in America’s founding," Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said in the release.
Who will perform at REV FEST 250?
Weekend performances are set to include:
∎ West Point’s Benny Havens Band
∎ Sankofa Drum and Dance Ensemble
∎ A "Hamilton" sing-along
∎ Drum and fife music.
Storyteller Jonathan Krukwill perform Revolutionary Tales of Westchester. Drama from the Past will present Rendezvous with Treason: The André/Arnold Conspiracy. And History at Play will tell the story of the first woman to fight in the Continental Army and be honorably discharged, in "A Revolution of Her Own! Deborah Sampson."
Where to park, shuttle service, and trains
No parking will be at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation. Rather, attendees can park at one of three nearby offsite parking areas (the John Jay Homestead as well as the Katonah and Bedford Hills train stations). There will be free, continuous shuttle service to the event from each of those locations, the release said.
- Bedford Hills Train Station (Railroad Avenue, Bedford Hills)
- John Jay Homestead (400 Jay St., Katonah) – ADA accessible shuttle service
- Katonah Train Station, Lot 3 (50 Woods Bridge Rd., Katonah)
People can also take Metro-North Railroad to the Katonah or Bedford Hills stations. Use Metro-North's Harlem Line from Grand Central Terminal to either station.
The schedule is:
- 9 a.m. — Shuttle service starts for off-site parking lots
- 4:50 p.m. — Final shuttle bus going to the Bedford and Katonah Metro-North stations
- 5 p.m. — Final shuttle bus to off-site parking lots
"If you’re heading to REV FEST 250, leave the car at home and enjoy a comfortable, affordable ride on our Harlem Line to Katonah, where free shuttle buses will take you directly to Ward Pound Ridge Reservation," said Justin Vonashek, Metro-North Railroad president, in a press release.
Constance Kehoe, Revolutionary Westchester 250president, in the same announcement said the event is a "unique opportunity to bring the history of the American Revolution to life in Westchester — engaging people of all ages and interests through immersive experiences, dynamic storytelling, and a deeper appreciation of our nation’s roots."
REV FEST 250 has teamed with Brigade of the American Revolution, whose members portray soldiers, civilians, craftspeople and Revolutionary-era communities.
“We are tremendously excited to bring more than 1,000 volunteer reenactors together to commemorate the Battle of White Plains and share this history with the public," Dakota Griffin, Brigade of the American Revolution national secretary, said in the announcement. "These volunteers devote countless hours to researching the people they portray, preparing their clothing and equipment, and developing demonstrations that make the past accessible."
For event information, ADA accessibility, hotel accommodations, and more, go to visitwestchesterny.com/250.
For commonly asked questions and answers, check out https://www.visitwestchesterny.com/250/revfest-2026/faq/#parking.
For more Westchester history, visit https://VisitWestchesterNY.com/250.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: REV FEST 250 to bring Battle of White Plains reenactment, food, more
