by Michele Byers
Water clean and plentiful is a luxury we New Jerseyans often take for granted.
But as those who follow national and world news know, abundant drinking water is in heavy dispute in many places.
Almost six million residents of this state we’re in depend on the Highlands for their water. The rivers, streams, lakes and underground aquifers of this mountainous region serve as vast sponges and filters for a safe drinking water supply.
For the first time, the Highlands and its water, culture, ecology and history will be celebrated at historic Waterloo Village in Byram Township.
Billed as “a celebration of all things local,” the Highlands Festival at Waterloo on Sept. 21 and 22 will include tours of the restored 19th-century village on the Morris Canal, live music, hikes, kayaking, boat rides, food, crafts, educational demonstrations, exhibits and vendors.
The New Jersey Highlands Coalition is hosting the festival. The coalition is an advocacy group whose mission is to protect the water and natural and cultural resources of the Highlands region and raise awareness of its importance to New Jersey’s quality of life.
The coalition represents a diverse network of more than 75 organizations, including land preservation, environmental, agricultural and outdoor recreation groups.
Julia Somers, executive director of the Highlands Coalition, said the inspiration for creating an annual festival came out of a desire to draw attention to the Highlands region.
Waterloo Village seemed like a perfect fit, she said, because of its rich history. The village is located at the midway point of the Morris Canal, which, in its heyday, was a 102-mile barge route connecting Phillipsburg on the Delaware River to Jersey City. Barges pulled by mules transported coal, iron and agricultural products.
Waterloo Village is part of Allamuchy State Park and is open to the public although its buildings are open only on certain occasions. Visitors will be able to tour some of the historic buildings during the festival.
Somers noted nonprofits like the Friends of Waterloo and the Canal Society of New Jersey both members of the Highlands Coalition will benefit from the exposure.
”The more people know about the village, the more likely they are to support the work of the Friends and the Canal Society,” she said.
More than anything, though, the Highlands Festival will be a fun way for people to learn about the New Jersey Highlands.
Twenty New Jersey bands will perform on two stages, providing almost continuous music. Activities include boat rides on the canal, kayaking on the pond, an edible plants walk, a juried art and photo show, a solar oven demonstration, storytelling at the park’s Lenape Village and more.
The festival will take place 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22. There’s parking for only 1,000 cars so Somers urges attendees to come early and carpool!
Kids under 12 are free when accompanied by an adult, and tickets are cheaper online in advance of the event.
For information about the Highlands Festival at Waterloo, visit the event website at http://highlandsfestivalatwaterloo.org.
Waterloo Village is owned by the state, but strong public-private partnerships are needed to continue restoring its buildings and keeping its history alive.
Fortunately, there are several groups doing just that! To learn more about Waterloo Village and the Morris Canal, visit the Canal Society of New Jersey at http://www.canalsocietynj.org, the Friends of Waterloo Village at www.friendsofwaterloovillage.com and Winakung at Waterloo at http://winakungatwaterloo.com.
Michele Byers is executive director of the New Jersey Conservation Foundation. For more information, contact her at info@njconservation.org or visit NJCF’s website at www.njconservation.org.
