New Freedom Borough has partnered with Northern Central Railway to welcome Smoke on the Rails BBQ Festival, a Kansas City Barbeque Society State Championship paired with a community festival in the heart of New Freedom. Backyard and Master Series teams will fill Marge Goodfellow Park during the last weekend of July and test their pitmaster skills to find out who prepares the best chicken, ribs, pork, and brisket. Steak Cookoff Association cooks and teams will also battle for the best cooked ribeye and ancillary category of anything with crab meat. While the teams compete, the public will enjoy great food, music, vendors, and activities.

Enjoy a 45 minute train ride behind the William H. Simpson Steam Locomotive No. 17 to Seitzland.