Come to a day of free family fun, featuring a juried craft show, food, educational events and three live bands.

The Canal Day Festival is an old time country fair that is now in it's 33rd year. This year's Festival will be larger than ever with the closing of West Central Avenue in front of Hugh Force Canal Park, much more area will be devoted to exhibitors.

The event is anticipated to attract visitors from all over Morris County and just as the Morris Canal once provided a commercial transportation link between geographic regions, Wharton Canal Day will provide a link between Cultures, History, and Fitness. There will be something of interest for everyone to enjoy!

Hand picked crafters from around the region will be attending the event to display their beautiful offerings.

Taste traditional ethnic foods of Italian delicacies, Cornish pasties, homemade cakes and other edibles will be for sale.

Listen to the hypnotic sounds of the rock fusion group, The Hsunami’s mesmerizing er-hu, (Chinese violin). This unique’s band’s performances have included the legendary CBGB’s, The Stone Pony, and Great Adventure. This year, their music will be played at the Beijing Summer Olympics. The HSU-NAMI, formed in the fall of 2005, is an Erhu Rock Fusion Group. The definition of East meets West. Hsu-nami is breaking new grounds with their patented Erhu Hard Rock characterized as new-age fusion, the osmosis of oriental pastime with the tenacity of modern hard rock.

Enjoy the easy listening music of the group Faded Genes, performing three part harmony from musical groups such as the Eagles, the Beatles, and America. Listen to the sounds of the forty-piece Hackettstown Community Band, performing classic songs of Americana. The Bag Pipes will provide Celtic sounds and the popular "DJ Rose" will provide toe tapping and audience participating music throughout the day.

Prove your prowess by paddling a kayak during our free Kayak Paddle Demo fun day provided by Ramsey Outdoor. Test your strength and ability by climbing the rock wall.

Learn about local history, The Canal Society of New Jersey will provide free Mule Drawn Boat Rides along the Morris Canal, as well as walking tours and slide shows. These informative tours will focus on the historical significance of the canal and efforts being made to restore Lock 2 East to a functioning level, in addition to the development of an outdoor museum.

The Wallaby Tails Traveling Zoo’s demonstration of exotic animals will delight children of all ages.

Visit the Saint Barnabas Fire Safety House, which recreates a home environment, that allows children to identify and correct everyday household hazards that may lead to fire and burn injuries. The Fire Safety House also simulates a house fire, utilizing non-toxic smoke, allowing children to practice their home escape plan.

The Morris County K9 Unit will demonstrate their dogs' amazing abilities.

Picatinny Arsenal’s Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit will provide a display of their robots' abilities and will allow the public to try them out.

Exhibitors, including local businesses, artists, crafter's, non-profit/civic organizations and vendors from around the area will provide interesting things to browse through.

Many, more activities for fun and learning are planned. Come spend the day with us at Hugh Force Canal Park located at 270 West Central Ave., Wharton, NJ, from 10:00AM to 5:00PM.

After a short break, the days celebration will continue at Robert St. Park at 7:00PM ,where the Dixie Doodle Band will provide musical entertainment prior to a Fireworks display ending the day’s celebration.

Become a sponsor of Canal Day. Sponsors will enjoy the promotional opportunities and benefits of meeting and greeting the local residents in the area as well as having some fun too. If you or your business or organization is interested in becoming a sponsor, please review the Sponsorship Application

For further information contact John Manna, at 973-989-0237 or john.manna@canalday.org

Businesses, artists, crafter's, and non-profit/civic organizations and festival vendors from around the area will have an excellent opportunity to sell their products and get in touch with new customers and supporters during the Canal Day Festival. Exhibitor Application (PDF Download)

The Morris County Sheriff's Office K-9 Unit/Bomb Squad Deminstration

This Unit is a specialized team of Sheriff’s officers who use highly trained dogs to perform services such as search and rescue operations, narcotics and arson detection and fugitive tracking. Working in tandem with the Bomb Squad, this unit also responds to explosive emergencies for purposes of bomb detection and disposal.

Directions: East bound Route 80 to Exit 34 Wharton. Make a left turn onto North Main Street. Continue through the light at West Dewey Ave. and North Main Street, go around the pond and make a right onto West Central Avenue and continue to the park.

West bound Route 80 to Exit 34 A, Wharton to Route 15 South. Right on East Dewey Avenue. Make a left onto North Main Street at the traffic light, continue around the pond and make a right turn at West Central and continue to the Park.

FESTIVAL VOLUNTEERS WANTED!