Junior Town Crier and Town Crier Competition Celebrates US 250th Anniversary in Fair Lawn

Town Criers are seeing a cultural revival! 

Towns in the U.S. and U.K. appoint ceremonial criers—like Fair Lawn, New Jersey’s Tim Yuskaitis—to ring bells, shout “Oyez, oyez, oyez!”, and boost local heritage, tourism, and community engagement

Now the Fair Lawn Revolution 250 Committee is taking the Town Crier a step further by holding both a Town Crier Competition and a Junior Town Crier Program/Competition on Sunday, October 4, 2026 in front of Fair Lawn Borough Hall.

Award winning Town Crier Tim Yuskaitis is leading the call to educate youngsters on the history of the Town Crier as well as how to perfect the Town Crier call.

Town Criers date back to medieval and colonial times where they shared news, laws and more with often illiterate populations. Each had a “cry” which often started with an Old Frenchy word “oyez” (“here ye” or listen” and ending with a royal or civil solute.

Town Criers wore 18-century livery (or regalia) including tri-corne hats, waistcoats and breeches. The huge handbell is a staple of Town Criers.

The Fair Lawn Junior Town Crier Competition is the first of its kind and will include students grades K-12.