Patriots lean heavily into Revolutionary history

Ever wonder how the Somerset Patriots got their name?

The Double-A Yankees affiliate hopes to teach fans some history while hosting New Hampshire for Revolutionary Revelry Night on Saturday.

Continuing a tradition that has gone on for more than a decade, the Patriots are combining forces with the Heritage Trail Association to put together an interactive experience in and around TD Bank Ballpark that provides a view into what life was like during the Revolutionary War.

“We came up with the concept years ago, to bring to life the name from the basic concept of ‘Why are we named the Somerset Patriots?’” the club's senior VP of marketing Dave Marek said. “Our area here in New Jersey is a crossroads of the American Revolution where a lot of battles and highways and roads went through between New York and Philadelphia. There’s just a lot of rich history here in our area.”

Somerset's ballpark sits across the street from the Van Horne House, which was a headquarters for American soldiers and the location of the Battle of Bound Brook in 1777. The Heritage Trail Association now call it home, which makes for an easy partnership with the Patriots.

The team will have a bevy of encampments in front of the stadium, including a medical tent, campfire and yarn-spinning station. Fans will be encouraged to interact with the different characters, who are all dressed in period outfits.

During the game, Somerset will have actors playing George Washington, Ben Franklin and other historical figures, including Philip and Elizabeth Van Horne, who owned the house, walking around the stadium and talking to fans. There will also be mid-inning entertainment and tables with artifacts, maps and other interactive displays on the concourse.

Among the most popular aspects for fans will be the drum and fife band dressed to the nines and playing for the occasion. And before the fireworks at the end of the game, Somerset will set off a replica cannon to literally wrap up the proceedings with a bang.

“I always love the cannon shot at the end of the game because it’s such a powerful sound,” Marek said. “I love the outside of the ballpark too. As fans are coming into the game, the first thing that they see as they’re walking in, they’re like, 'What is going on here, what’s going on?' They just continue that immersive experience for the entire game.”