Meet JD- our Jersey Devil and official Shamong Day mascot! You can find JD up to his usual mischief, like stealing pies, at all Shamong Day events! See if you can spot him among the vendors, food trucks and activities… he likes to hide in some unusual places.
His story…
Long before the roads, the houses, and the celebrations of today, the Pine Barrens were a vast wilderness of towering pines, sandy winding trails, quiet rivers, and secrets hidden deep within the woods.
And somewhere in those woods… lived J.D.
The Legend of JD: Shamong’s Own Jersey Devil
Long before New Jersey became the Garden State, and even before America declared its independence, the Pine Barrens were home to stories of a mysterious creature unlike any other.
According to local folklore, Mrs. Leeds’ 13th child, the Jersey Devil, was born in the Pine Barrens in the early 1700s. For generations, people have shared tales of strange footprints, eerie cries echoing through the woods, and fleeting glimpses of a winged creature disappearing among the pines…
But the people of Shamong know the truth.
JD wasn’t something to fear…
He was a guardian.
Legend has it that JD had spent centuries watching over the Pine Barrens. He protected the wildlife, kept an eye on the woods, and made sure that anyone who visited the Pines treated them with respect.
But JD had one problem.
He was lonely.
For years, he wondered. He knew every trail, every stream, every hidden corner of the forest.
Then one day, JD heard something he had never heard before…
Music.
Laughter.
The sound of celebration.
He followed the noise through the Pines until he discovered Shamond Day! He watched the people of Shamong gather together, neighbors helping neighbors, families sharing laughter, children playing, and friends coming together to celebrate the community they all called home.
At first, JD stayed hidden behind the trees. He watched the folks enjoy the food, the games, and the music. He saw smiling faces and the community coming together.
Then someone spotted him.
“Hey! Is that the Jersey Devil?”
JD tried to hide.
But it was too late.
The children cheered. The families laughed. And instead of running away, the people of Shamong welcomed him.
That was the day JD discovered that he had finally found his home.
From that day forward, JD became the official mascot of Shamong Day.
He still watches over the Pines. He still loves a good mystery. He still makes the occasional surprising appearance.
But now, every year, when Shamong Day arrives, JD comes out of the woods to celebrate with the people of Shamong.
Because JD has learned something important:
The greatest treasure in the Pine Barrens isn’t hidden in the forest.
It’s the people who call it home.
Whether you believe the legend or simply enjoy the folklore, the Jersey Devil has become one of New Jersey’s most enduring symbols and an important part of our region’s cultural heritage.
So, if you spot JD at Shamong Day, be sure to say hello, and mark it off on you JD Scavenger Hunt list for the chance to win a prize!
Can you find all of the Jersey Devils hidden around Shamong Day? Happy Hunting!
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JD- Guardian of the Pines. Friend of Shamong.
Welcome to Shamong Day!
Scavenger hunt materials can be found at the Indian Mills Historical Society Information Tent and are free to the public.