Waterloo Canal Day Fest Set for June 23
Published on June 18, 2018
Historic Village was a Morris Canal town in the 19th Century
(JPG, 189KB)Morris County residents are invited to join the Canal Society of New Jersey for a day of family fun and entertainment on Saturday as they kick off a 12th season of interpreting historic Waterloo Village in nearby Sussex County.
This year's Waterloo Canal Day Festival will feature a wide range of activities for the whole family. On June 23rd the Canal Society of New Jersey will bring historic Waterloo Village back to life with canal boat rides, live music, tours and demonstrations. The rain date is June 24.
A special feature will be the new Canal Boat Exhibit that will include the recently discovered remains of a real Morris Canal boat. Many of the historic buildings will be open including Smith's Store, blacksmith shop, a working water-powered gristmill, and the New Jersey Canal Museum. Canal Society volunteers who will be on hand to talk about Waterloo's history and offer hands-on activities.
(JPG, 127KB)Once a bustling inland port on the Morris Canal, Waterloo retains its character as a 19th Century canal town. Since 2007, the Canal Society has gradually opened industrial and commercial buildings to interpret trades that were common throughout the 19th Century.
Waterloo Village is managed by the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry within the state Department of Environmental Protection and is located in Allamuchy Mountain State Park.
Scheduled activities at the festival, which has free admission and a $5 parking fee, include:
Entertainment: Singing historian Roy Justice will perform traditional songs about canals, coal, and Americana. Chairs under the tent allow visitors to sit and relax in the shade;
(JPG, 1MB) Waterloo Village, Stanhope, NJ.
(New) Carpenter Canal Boat Repair Shop: Includes demonstrations using historic carpenter's tools;
(New) Highlands Canal Boat Exhibit;
Smith's Canal Store: Fully stocked canal store with many fascinating products and labor-saving gadgets from bygone days;
Canal Boat Rides: The only public boat ride on the Morris Canal;
Blacksmithing: Experienced blacksmiths will demonstrate and interpret various smithing techniques, working red-hot metal. Watch them turn a 20-penny nail into a decorative hook;
Smith's Sawmill: Water-powered sawmill, typical of those built across North Jersey;
Water Powered Grist Mill: The fully operational water-powered grist mill grinding corn into meal; interactive activities include corn shelling and grinding by hand;
Canal Society Museum: Operated by Canal Society of NJ since 1975;
Waterloo United Methodist Church: Guided tours of an 1859 church;
Lunch and Snacks: Grilled-to-order hamburgers and hot dogs, homemade baked goods, and cold drinks served by the Waterloo Methodist Church.
Getting there from Morris County:
Waterloo Village, 525 Waterloo Road, Stanhope, New Jersey
3 miles from Exit 25 on Route I-80 (Route 206 North, Stanhope & Newton)
Follow brown signs for turns
Future 2018 Waterloo Canal Special Programing Days, summer and fall 2018:
July 14 & 28, Aug 11 & 25, Sep 8 & 22. In addition, Waterloo Village will celebrate Christmas in July on Saturday, July 21.
For more information on the June 23 event call 973.292.2755 or email macgraphics2@gmail.com.
Click for more information on Waterloo Village or for more information on the Morris Canal.