The Warren County Parks Foundation and the Warren County Morris Canal Committee invite you to a family-friendly day of music, art, history, literature and more at one of the unique spots along Warren County's Morris Canal Greenway.
The 2nd Annual ParkFest @ Bread Lock Park from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 9 features a lawn concert by three different jazz combos - bring lawn chairs or blankets to sit on - while artists will be displaying their work inside the barn that dates back to the days of the Morris Canal, and WRNJ radio will be on hand for a live broadcast.
Performing on the Bread Lock Park stage are the Walt Bibinger Trio, led by guitarist Walt Bibinger with Tom DiCarlo, bass, and Bill Goodwin, drums, playing 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; the quartet La Cuchina with Vinny Biachi, sax, Bill Washer, guitar, Paul Rostock, bass, and Danny Gonzalez, drums, 1-3 p.m.; and the Nancy Coletti Quartet featuring vocalist Nancy Coletti backed by Dave Leonhardt, piano, Paul Rostock, bass, and George Torrella, drums. 3-5 p.m.
Also on the grounds, look for "Authors Alley" where you'll meet a variety of fiction, non-fiction and children's book authors; a classic car show; local history displays and historical films; food vendors; and other activities.
The Warren County History Museum at Bread Lock Park will be open, with artifacts, displays, and working models on aspects of the county's rich history, highlighting our earliest Lenni Lenape inhabitants, the Colonial period and the birth of the iron industry in the colonies, the Morris Canal, Thomas A. Edison's nearby cement industry and the first "concrete mile" of roadway in New Jersey, and much more. The spot at Lock No. 7 West got its name from the canal era when the lock tender's wife baked and sold fresh bread to the passing canal boats.
At 11:45 a.m., a new trail in the Morris Canal Greenway between Bread Lock Park and Stewartsville will be dedicated.
ParkFest is free, open to all, and reasonably accessible to persons with disabilities. A $1 per car parking donation to Franklin Township Fire/EMS is requested.
Supported by the Warren County Board of Chosen Freeholders, funding for ParkFest has been made possible in part by the Warren County Cultural & Heritage Commission, as well as sponsors including:
Tiller Sharks:
FirstEnergy Foundation/JCP&L
Swift Print Solutions, Belvidere, NJ
OK Auto, 4WD & Tire, Stewartsville, NJ
WRNJ Radio
Lock Tenders:
Explore Warren County Tourism Partnership, Belvidere, NJ
Skylands Visitor Magazine / Guest Services, Inc., Columbia, NJ
Bread Lock Bakers:
Joseph J. Bell of Bell & Shivas, P.C., Rockaway, NJ;
SGF Studios, Washington, NJ
Mule Drivers:
Blairstown Museum, Blairstown, NJ
Cochran Funeral Home, Hackettstown, NJ
Boatmen:
Emulsitone Chemicals, Washington, NJ
Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Bisanti, Oxford, NJ
Muheisen's Bagel and Deli, Washington, NJ
Guy R. Wilson, Attorney at Law, Califon, NJ
Special thanks to:
The Highlands Community Service Project
New Jersey Youth Corps of Phillipsburg
Franklin Township Fire & EMS
Keep up to date on the latest with ParkFest on the event page on Facebook.
ParkFest Schedule (note the schedule may be subject to change):
Music Stage
11:00 a.m. - 11:40 a.m. - Walt Bibinger Trio
12:00 p.m. - 12:40 p.m. - Walt Bibinger Trio
1:00 p.m. - 1:40 p.m. - La Cuchina
2:00 p.m. - 2:40 p.m. - La Cuchina
3:00 p.m. - 3:40 p.m. - Nancy Coletti Quartet
4:00 p.m. - 4:40 p.m. - Nancy Coletti Quartet
Movie Pavillion
12:15 p.m. - Famous Tiller Sharks
The Morris Canal comes alive with a series of interviews of people who actually lived and worked on the canal.
1:00 p.m. - Extra 1104: The Story of the Rockport Train Wreck
Using old photos and interviews with historians, local video producer John General recreates the events of the greatest disaster in Warren County history.
1:45 p.m. - Remembering the Easton-Washington Traction Company
In this PowerPoint presentation, local author Denis Sullivan will discuss the trolley line which once carried passengers between Phillipsburg and Port Murray.
2:30 p.m. - Famous Tiller Sharks
3:15 p.m. - Extra 1104: The Story of the Rockport Train Wreck
4:00 p.m. - Famous Tiller Sharks
Canal Greenway Opening/Hike (West side of park, near the barn)
11:45 a.m. - Dedication of new hiking trail.
12:00 p.m. - Approx. 3-mile hike (out and back). Return by 2:00 pm.
Life on a Canal Boat - Living Museum
11:00 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. Boat Pavillion
Vendor-Sponsored Exhibits: (In the Vendors Area, next to the barn)
10:05 a.m. - 1:45 p.m. Hiking Stick Carving Demo - Brad Koller
11:30 a.m. & 2:30 pm Viewing of “Union Pacific” - Blairstown Museum
Want to be a part of ParkFest with your classic car, your artwork, or your book? Contact us via email at morriscanal@co.warren.nj.us or call 908-475-6539.
Located along the eastbound lane of Route 57 near New Village in Franklin Township, Bread Lock Park is found at 2627 New Jersey 57, Stewartsville, NJ 08886.
2nd Annual ParkFest at Bread Lock Park
ParkFest returns with live jazz, an art show, historical displays and films, "Authors Alley" where you'll meet published authors, a classic car show (bring your car to show!), food, kids activities and more! A new trail in the Morris Canal Greenway will be dedicated, and WRNJ Radio will be there for a live broadcast. Find the full schedule at this link!
Bread Lock Park
A picnic area, walking and exercise trails and a StoryWalk give visitors a chance to enjoy nature while walking the grounds in this park. The full-size canal boat replica takes you back in time to when mules pulled the laden boats along the canal.