250Ride.org Joins Delaware's 250th Separation Day Celebration
- Jul 14
- 8 min read
Updated: Jul 23
On June 13, 2026, the 250Ride.org Living History Reenactment rolled into Historic New Castle for a moment that seemed almost destined to become part of the journey.
Separation Day commemorates Delaware's decision in June 1776 to sever its governmental ties with Pennsylvania and the British Crown. In 2026, as Delaware marked the 250th anniversary of that defining moment, Caesar Rodney once again traveled down Delaware Street toward the historic New Castle Court House, surrounded by crowds celebrating the history he helped shape.
It would become one of the most energetic and colorful stops of the entire two-day journey from Dover to Philadelphia.
Preparing the Horses—and Caesar—for the Parade
The 250Ride.org carriage arrived in Old New Castle at approximately 10:30 a.m., an hour and a half before the annual Separation Day Parade was scheduled to begin.
Away from the crowds lining Delaware Street, the carriage team moved into a nearby field, where the horses were safely changed out and attended to by the 250Ride.org team of experienced horsemen and handlers.
It was a carefully coordinated routine the team repeated throughout the journey.
At every major stop, the horses were watered, checked and given the attention they needed before the carriage continued. While the handlers worked, Caesar Rodney, portrayed by Ciro Poppiti III, made his way into the center of Historic New Castle.
Near the historic New Castle Court House Museum, Rodney reunited with several members of 250Ride.org's Unheard Voices of the Revolution, including Dinah of Stenton, portrayed by Shekelia Hines; Thomas Rodney, portrayed by Primus Poppiti; and Jacob Broom, portrayed by Hugo A. Immediato Jr.
Together, they stepped into a town already alive with music, artisans, families and living history.
Meeting the 1st Delaware Regiment
One of Caesar Rodney's first stops was behind the historic New Castle Court House, where the 1st Delaware Regiment had established an expansive Revolutionary War encampment.
The 1st Delaware Regiment is a living history organization dedicated to interpreting the experiences of Delaware soldiers and civilians during the American Revolution. Its reenactors help bring to life the story of the Delaware Regiment, whose soldiers earned a distinguished reputation while serving in the Continental Army.
The Separation Day encampment offered far more than rows of soldiers.
Revolutionary-style tents created sleeping quarters throughout the grounds. Civilian interpreters portrayed women and children whose roles reflected life within an 18th-century military encampment. Craftsmen, wagoneers and other historical interpreters demonstrated trades, skills and daily routines connected to the military and civilian life of the Revolutionary era.
For visitors, it was an opportunity to walk through a living community rather than simply watch history from a distance.
For Caesar Rodney, the encounter also carried a meaningful historical connection.
Rodney was not only a statesman and signer of the Declaration of Independence. He also held military leadership roles in Delaware and later served as Major General of the Delaware Militia during the American Revolution.
Colonel John Haslet was the first commander of Delaware's Continental regiment and led Delaware troops through the difficult campaigns of 1776. His service included the battles of Long Island and White Plains, as well as the campaign that carried Washington's army across the Delaware River and into Trenton.
Haslet was killed at the Battle of Princeton in January 1777. His death was deeply felt by Caesar Rodney, who remembered Haslet as a friend, political ally and devoted patriot.
The connection between the two men is also preserved in their wartime correspondence. In a recently published book, John Haslet's World author and historian David Price cites a July 6, 1776 letter from Haslet to Rodney, written in the immediate aftermath of the vote for independence, offering another glimpse into the relationship between two men whose paths were deeply connected during the Revolution.
Among the modern-day 1st Delaware Regiment reenactors in New Castle was John Foskey, who holds a unique connection to the 250Ride.org story.
Foskey is both a key member of the 1st Delaware Regiment and a member of 250Ride.org's Unheard Voices of the Revolution, portraying Colonel John Haslet.
The historic Haslet helped establish the fighting reputation of Delaware's Continental soldiers during the opening campaigns of the American Revolution. His service carried him through some of the most consequential military moments of 1776 before his death at Princeton.
On June 13, as Delaware commemorated 250 years since Separation Day, Caesar Rodney and Colonel John Haslet once again stood together in Old New Castle—this time through the work of two dedicated living history interpreters. (See Full album of Caesar's vist to the 1st Delaware Regiment)
Walking Delaware Street Before the Parade
After leaving the encampment, Poppiti continued through the heart of the Separation Day festivities.
He walked the parade route, stopping for photographs and conversations with families, children and longtime Delawareans seated along Delaware Street. Artists displayed their work along the route, while others actively painted and created new pieces as the celebration unfolded around them.
For nearly the entire length of the parade route, Caesar Rodney moved through the crowd.
Children approached for photographs. Families called out to him. Visitors paused from the festival to watch as one of Delaware's most recognizable historical figures seemingly wandered back into the streets of Old New Castle.
Eventually, Poppiti worked his way back toward the beginning of the parade route.
The 250Ride.org team was scheduled to bring up the end of the Colonial-inspired parade—a position that would place the carriage at the center of a memorable conclusion to the day's procession.
Caesar Rodney Rides Down Delaware Street
At noon, the 2026 Separation Day Parade began.
Caesar Rodney climbed aboard the carriage. Members of the Unheard Voices of the Revolution gathered alongside him. The 250Ride.org team fell into place.
Then, together, they moved down Delaware Street.
Crowds lined the route, cheering as the carriage slowly traveled through Historic New Castle. After more than a day on the road from Dover, the journey had briefly merged with a celebration commemorating Delaware's own decision to separate from Pennsylvania and the British Crown.
Shortly into the parade, the carriage welcomed a special guest.
New Castle Mayor Valarie Leary joined Caesar Rodney aboard the carriage, becoming part of the journey through her city.
Leary made history in 2023 when she became the first woman to serve as mayor of the City of New Castle. Her presence alongside Rodney created a fitting image for the 250th anniversary—a city honoring its past while continuing to make history in the present.
As the carriage continued toward the Court House, Rodney and members of the Unheard Voices greeted spectators and familiar faces throughout the crowd. Among those encountered along the route was U.S. Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester, who was also taking part in the day's Separation Day celebration.
Cobblestone streets, Colonial architecture and crowds gathered along Delaware Street created a scene unlike any other stop during the 250Ride.org journey.
For a few moments, history and the present seemed to move down the same street.
A Musket Volley to End the Parade
The carriage continued toward the historic New Castle Court House and Battery Park, where crowds had gathered near the conclusion of the parade route.
Waiting near the Court House was the 1st Delaware Regiment.
As Caesar Rodney and the 250Ride.org carriage approached, cheers rose from the crowd. Members of the Regiment stood assembled in formation.
Among them was Colonel John Haslet, portrayed by John Foskey.
The carriage arrived.
Haslet greeted Rodney.
Then, members of the 1st Delaware Regiment raised their muskets and fired a ceremonial volley over Historic New Castle, marking a dramatic conclusion to the parade.
The blast echoed through the town center.
For the 250Ride.org team, it was a fitting conclusion to a remarkable stop. Caesar Rodney had arrived in a city commemorating Delaware's decision to sever its ties with Pennsylvania and the British Crown, a defining moment in the formation of the Delaware State.
Now, 250 years later, his story had been welcomed into the celebration, carried through the streets of New Castle and sent onward beneath the sound of musket fire.
The 250Ride.org team would also like to extend a special thank you to New Castle City Administrator Antonina Tantillo, Separation Day Event Manager Julie Mirowenger, New Castle Police Chief Richard McCabe, and the many organizers, public safety personnel, volunteers and community partners who helped make the experience possible. Welcoming a moving living history reenactment into an already active community celebration required tremendous coordination, communication and support, and the 250Ride.org team remains deeply grateful to everyone who helped bring the journey through Historic New Castle to life.
The Journey Wasn't Over
There was little time to remain.
As the volley faded and the Separation Day celebration continued around Battery Park, the 250Ride.org carriage turned and continued out of Historic New Castle.
The horses moved forward.
The carriage rolled on.
Caesar Rodney still had a vote to cast.
The next miles would carry the 250Ride.org Living History Reenactment toward Wilmington and eventually across the Delaware-Pennsylvania line. By the end of the day, the journey would reach Philadelphia and Independence Hall, recreating the destination of Rodney's legendary ride to break Delaware's deadlocked vote for independence.
But for one unforgettable stretch of Delaware Street on June 13, 2026, the journey became part of another living tradition.
Separation Day commemorates the moment Delaware chose a new path.
And 250 years later, Caesar Rodney rode through the heart of that celebration on his way to help secure something even greater.
Independence.
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