The City of Passaic kicked off its America 250 celebration, blending a New Year’s Eve tradition with the city’s Revolutionary War history.

It was also the city's seventh annual New Year's Eve piñata drop. A giant gold star-shaped piñata was seated atop 663 Main Ave., the tallest building in the city. It rained confetti instead of candy to welcome 2026. News 12 spoke with Mayor Hector Lora ahead of Wednesday night's celebration about the piñata drop and Passaic's involvement in the American Revolution.

"We wanted to offer an alternative to families who couldn’t make it to New York. Everyone loves seeing the ball drop. We should do something unique in Passaic and a piñata is just something everyone enjoys nostalgically, I think about as a kid," Lora said.

This year’s star-shaped piñata was a little different from previous years. It celebrated Passaic’s distinction as a “victory town,” meaning it saw American and French troops march 700 miles to Yorktown, Virginia, where they won the American Revolution. The city is one of 35 designated “victory towns” in the state.

"There were wars and battles fought here. That particular battle with Gen. Benjamin Lincoln. He was ordered by George Washington in order to hold off the British soldiers to not only stop their progress but to have an encampment right here in Passaic," Lora said.

Visuals highlighting the city’s role in the fight for independence were front and center. The contributions of soldiers of color were also highlighted.

"We sometimes forget that it was an effort of so many individuals together, fighting for a common vision of a nation, perhaps not then, but one day in the future, would be available for all to prosper and to call home," Lora said.

Lora added city workers prepare like they would for a storm. Some 500 to 800 people come to watch every year and this year came with a history lesson.