Upcoming
Events
Upcoming 2026 Program Meetings
Friday, September 18th, 2026
Presented by Linda Barth
35 Waterview Boulevard, Parsippany, NJ
Friday, November 20th, 2026
Speaker & Details Coming Soon
Saturday, June 27, 2026 — 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Waterloo Canal Day
A full day of living history at Waterloo Village — free parking, free admission
Step back in time at Waterloo Village Historic Site for a celebration of New Jersey’s canal-era heritage. Spend the day touring historic buildings including the Canal Museum, Boat Exhibit, and Gristmill, and watch traditional crafts come alive with demonstrations from blacksmiths, tin smiths, and wool spinners.
Take a ride on a canal boat, explore the historic church, and walk through Winakung, the recreated Native Lenape Woodland Forest. Live music by the Long Hill String Band rounds out the day.
Sponsored by the Canal Society of New Jersey, New Jersey State Park Service, and the Byram Township Historical Society.
Located at 525 Waterloo Road
Saturday, August 22 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Wharton Canal Day
A free day of live music, food, and family fun along Wharton's historic canal corridor
Join the Borough of Wharton for Canal Day, an all-day celebration on West Central Avenue honoring the town’s roots along the historic Morris Canal. From 10 AM to 5 PM, the street comes alive with live music, local food trucks, and a marketplace of vendors and makers.
Bring the whole family for kids’ activities throughout the day, and unwind in the beer garden once you’ve explored.
Whether you’re a longtime resident or visiting for the first time, Canal Day is a relaxed, welcoming way to spend a late-summer Saturday in Wharton.
Admission is free — we’ll see you on West Central Ave.
Sunday, September 27 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Morristown Festival on the Green
Morristown, NJ
Each fall, Morristown hosts thousands of attendees in its historic downtown on a Sunday afternoon from 12 to 5 pm, rain or shine.
Enjoy non-stop performances for all ages at 5 different entertainment areas, children’s amusements, carnival games, a beer tent and 170+ exhibitors showcasing our local businesses, restaurants, and notable community groups.
Thursday, June 25th · 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Weekday Lambertville Walk – 3 Miles
D&R Canal State Park · Lambertville, NJ
Join the D&R Canal State Park’s seasonal historian for a weekday morning walk beginning at the D&R parking lot located next to the Holcombe-Jimison Farmstead Museum north of Lambertville (1605 Daniel Bray Hwy, Lambertville, NJ 08530). The group will head south along the D&R Canal State Park’s multi-use path into Lambertville. This walk will take us to its historic downtown and farther south to the D&R’s lift and outlet locks where the guided portion of the walk will conclude. Attendees will be on their own to either head back into town for lunch at one of Lambertville’s excellent eateries or back up the path to their vehicles. This will be a leisurely and fact-filled outdoor program touching on D&R Canal, railroad and Lambertville history so do plan to be with us for several hours.
Sunday, June 28th · 2:00 p.m.
Canal Watch Annual Meeting
Contact: Linda Barth, barthlinda123@aol.com; 908-240-0488.
Sunday, July 26th · 10:00 – 4:00
Canal Road Walk and Roll
East Millstone to Butler Road
Canal Road will be closed from East Millstone to Butler Road. Enjoy a day with friends and family along the scenic D&R Canal with no cars!
Sunday, August 30th · 10:00 – 4:00
Canal Road Walk and Roll
Griggstown Causeway to Route 518, Rocky Hill
Canal Road will be closed from Griggstown Causeway to Route 518 in Rocky Hill. Enjoy a day with friends and family along the scenic D&R Canal with no cars!
Sunday, September 13th · 10:00 – 4:00
Canal House Challenge
East Millstone · Blackwells Mills · Griggstown · Kingston · Port Mercer
Five of the historic locktender and bridgetender homes will be open to the public. Pick up a passport at your first stop and have it stamped. If you visit all five buildings in one day, you will receive a small prize. Visitors will be invited to tour the homes in East Millstone, Blackwells Mills, Griggstown, Kingston, and Port Mercer (addresses will be provided in the August newsletter). The friends group in charge of each home will welcome visitors and provide a tour and history of the building.
Sunday, September 20th
Young Patriots Day
Princeton Battlefield State Park, NJ
Young Patriots Day is an annual, interactive educational event held at Princeton Battlefield State Park in New Jersey, celebrating 18th-century American history for children and families. The 2026 event features Revolutionary War reenactments, historical figures, and hands-on colonial activities. The Canal Watch will staff a table at this event. Volunteers are welcome.
Saturday – Sunday, October 10th – 11th · 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sat · noon to 4:00 p.m. Sun
Somerset County’s Journey Through the Past
East Millstone Bridgetender’s Home & Station
Canal Watch members will open the East Millstone bridgetender’s home and station (and the historic outhouse, for observation only). Bob Barth, 201-401-3121, bbarth321@aol.com. (To see the many other historic sites that will be open, Google “Journey Through the Past, Somerset County, NJ.”)
Sunday, October 18th · 10:00 a.m.
Bike Ride on the Feeder Canal
Starting / ending point to be determined
Helmet required. SAVE THE DATE. Tim Roth, fastlanetim@yahoo.com, 609-462-5812.
Saturday, October 24th · 10:00 a.m.
Geology Hike
Prallsville Mills · Route 29, Stockton
During this geology walk, participants will learn about the four geologic units of the Newark Basin along the D&R Canal. Walk led by Pierre Lacombe, retired USGS geologist.