Organizations in the borough of Highlands are joining together to present an extravaganza celebration of the 100th anniversary of the success of Gertrude Ederle, the first woman to ever swim the English Channel.
Ederle has a special connection to the borough where she summered and always attributed her success to learning to swim in the Shrewsbury River, notably near the Highlands-Sea Bright, now the Captain Joseph Azzolina Bridge.
“We are very excited to celebrate this amazing milestone by such an accomplished woman,” said Highlands Mayor Carolyn Broullon. “The entire community is pitching in to make this August 15th, 2026 a day to remember. The many organizations that fuel our Borough will be there to share in the merriment.”
The Highlands Business Partnership, the Historical Society of Highlands, and local civic organizations invite the public to celebrate her remarkable legacy at Trudy Fest Saturday, August 15, from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Veterans Park, 51 Bay Avenue
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. The current under the bridge at the time was judged to be the eighth strongest current in the world.
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.
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 deaf children swimming after losing much of her own 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.”
For more information about Trudy Fest, visit www.highlandsnj.com or contact the Highlands Business Partnership at 732-291-4713.
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