PHILLIPSBURG, NJ (Warren County) – Philipsburg celebrated 172 years of railroad last Saturday with music, food, vendors, and three walkable areas of railroad activities. Commissioner Lori Ciesla was on hand to help kick off the 3rd Annual Phillipsburg, N.J. Railroad Festival.
“Phillipsburg is known for getting together to celebrate their community and events like the railroad festival are a perfect example of the spirit of P’burg,” said Commissioner Ciesla said. “As we approach our bicentennial and the country’s semiquincentennial, it is heartening to see Phillipsburg preserving and sharing their heritage and history. The organizers have done a fantastic job, and the festival gets better every year!”
The first railroad to arrive in Phillipsburg was the Central Railroad of New Jersey (CNJ), which opened on July 2, 1852. Phillipsburg was once a major transportation hub, home to five major railroads with roundhouses and turntables as well as the Morris Canal.
Aaron D. Coleman, the event producer, said, “I saw the importance of continuing the annual festival for the Town of Phillipsburg and the surrounding community after the last two years of the festival, which drew over 3000 attendees.” Phillipsburg Mayor Randy Piazza said, “It’s great to see The Phillipsburg Railroad Festival not only come back for its 3rd year but come back bigger and better than before.”
