Blairstown was recognized by the Board of County Commissioners for having one of the best Fourth of July celebrations in Warren County.
At the Township Committee’s July 22 meeting, County Commissioner Director Lori Cielsa presented the governing body with a plaque acknowledging Blairstown’s contributions to the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Cielsa pointed out that last year Warren County marked its 200th birthday, devoting many resources toward celebrations and educational programs and that this year, the Board of Commissioners ask the municipalities to plan individual programs to celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States.
“We just had a very momentous year last year. It was our 200th birthday in Warren, and we’re very proud about,” Ciesla said. “And then, of course, this year is the 250th birthday of our nation. Last year, we put a lot into celebrating our 200th, and we did rely on the towns to pick up some of the 250 celebrations.”
Ciesla said Blairstown answered the call.
“Blairstown has certainly done that,” she said. “You had one of the best Fourth of July events, I think, in the state.” Warren County represents the hometown appeal that America is known for, Ciesla said.
“We wanted to present you with a plaque that has our logo from the Warren Bicentennial and our logo from the 250th signing of the Declaration,” Ciesla said. “Thank you for any help you had in our celebrations for the 200th and the 250th.”
Blairstown Township Committee Member Karen Lance, one of the organizers of the celebration at Footbridge Park, said many volunteers made the event possible. She added that many people came from surrounding towns to help out.
“We had a great event down at the park,” Lance said. “It was hot as blazes, but we thought of that, and we had a tent for some shade.”
In addition to the long-running Duck Race in the Paulins Kill, sponsored by the Blairstown Rotary, the event also featured a live frog-jumping competition, which Lance said is the only contest of its kind in the state.
“Our very famous frog jump was very well-attended,” Lance said. “We are the only ones in the state that has a live frog jump.”
The well-attended event raised money for various charitable groups in and around Blairstown, and — except for the cost of the portable toilets — every cent generated went to those charities, Lance said.
Joe brings decades of journalism experience to the Ridge View Echo, covering everything from local school boards to the U.S. Supreme Court. A former National Law Journal editor and Columbia Law School press officer, he now enjoys telling community stories in Blairstown, where he lives with his wife, Rose, and their two dachshunds.
- Joe Phalon, Contributing Writerhttps://ridgeviewecho.com/author/joe-phalon-contributing-writer/
- Joe Phalon, Contributing Writerhttps://ridgeviewecho.com/author/joe-phalon-contributing-writer/
- Joe Phalon, Contributing Writerhttps://ridgeviewecho.com/author/joe-phalon-contributing-writer/
- Joe Phalon, Contributing Writerhttps://ridgeviewecho.com/author/joe-phalon-contributing-writer/
