Jimmy and the Parrots, Tequila Rose, Trevor B. Power Band, Sick Star Nation, Crash Gordon & Debra Dynamite and Cenariow lead an array of New Jersey based musical acts that will lead the charge when Washington Borough hosts the 23rd Annual Festival in the Borough on Saturday Sept. 26. 

The event, presented by the Washington Business Improvement District, the region’s largest street and music festival, features a variety of musical styles, from rock to country to blues, singer-songwriters, and everything in between. With three stages of music, line dancing, dozens of vendors, children’s activities, lots of food, and many other family friend things to do, this free event has become a must-do event for residents near and far. All the action takes place from 10 a.m to 10 p.m. throughout the downtown. 

In addition to an assortment of children’s activities including a climbing wall, kids and their parents can check out the giant Pirate ship that will be anchored by the main parking lot in the center of the downtown. Two special shows are scheduled during the day, however, all are invited to board the ship for a tour.   

On the music side of things, over 20 musical acts are scheduled to perform this year, non-stop from late morning til late night.  

Expect a lot of dancing by the Main Stage and Scotty’s stages, with Jimmy & The Parrots, DJ Rupe’s line dancing, country band Tequila Rose, Sick Star Nation, Debra Devi, Creeping Charlie, Trevor B. Power Band, Harmony Garage Band, Project 9, Crash Gordon and Debra Dynamite, Cenariow hitting all the high notes. The JerZgirls, a Festival in the Borough tradition, will once again take the stage at Scotty’s.  

The Acoustic Stage by Gaia’s Gifts, which runs from 11 a.m. to 5, features Nina Rangel, Diana Dove, Seven, Kim Lauton and Jack Tannehill. The opener for the Acoustic Stage is to be announced following Washington’s Porchfest on Aug. 29.  

The Washington Borough Volunteer Fire Department will have a Beer Garden by the Main Stage.

While there is some seating available, the WBID invites attendees to bring lawn chairs, and to enjoy a fun day outdoors with music in the air.

Festival T-shirts are available for sale, in advance. The shirts, with the new festival logo designed by Warren Hills High School graduate Brooke Sheffield, are $15 each. To order shirts, email washingtonbid@gmail.com. In the email note the size you want, color, and how many. A confirmation email will follow with further details and to arrange for pickup. You can also stop by the WBID tent at the weekly farmers market on Saturdays by Veteran’s Park and place your order there. The farmers market runs from 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.  

The festival, a rain or shine event, is supported by a host of local and regional businesses and organizations. They include PNC Bank, Main Deck Productions, New Jersey American Water, Hunterdon Health, Warren County Discount Liquors, Arctic Foods/The Meat Shoppe,  Visions Federal Credit Union, marketing company New Frontier,  Swift Print Solutions, Grand Central Station, businesses of Washington Borough, and the Warren County Cultural and Heritage Division of Land Preservation, a partner of the New Jersey State Council of the Arts. 

For the full schedule and details go to https://www.washingtonbid.org/festival-in-the-borough. The Festival in the Borough is also on Facebook.