Monmouth County Fair back for five days of fun

The smell of kettle corn, the lights of the rides, and the sounds of musical entertainment and animals being proudly displayed at the East Freehold Park Showgrounds, Kozloski Road, Freehold Township, in an indication that summer is here and so is the Monmouth County Fair.

Now celebrating its 34th year of putting smiles on people’s faces, the fair will be held from July 23-27.

Sponsored by FirstEnergy Foundation and organized and presented by the Monmouth County Park System in cooperation with the Monmouth County 4-H, the fair maintains the agricultural nature of a traditional county fair with its Home and Garden Competition, petting farm, and 4-H animal shows and exhibits.

At the heart of the fair, the Home and Garden tent is the place to admire a cornucopia of food, crafts and art that Monmouth County residents have grown, carved, sewn, or painted. The tradition of the senior center and Adult Day Program category in the Home and Garden competitions gets stronger each year as this active group of participants contributes to this fair feature, according to a press release.

Inside the Home and Garden tent, fairgoers will also find examples of beekeeping, table loom weaving, jewelry making, watercolor painting, quilting, and demonstrations of other ways to exercise imagination and skill. Visitors can also learn about recycling and composting for home and gardens, computer enhanced photography, and care of African violets.

For many children, the fair is their only opportunity to see farm animals up close — and there are plenty to see. From racing pigs to 4-H small animal judging, animals are an important part of the fair. The 4-H association brings well-cared-for rabbits, sheep, heifers and other animals for visitors to admire. Young 4-H members also participate in the prep court and Family Fun Night.

The county’s agricultural heritage comes alive in the Historic Longstreet Farm and Historic Walnford tent. Each day, staff and volunteers of the park system’s 1890s living history farm at Holmdel Park and the 18th-century mill village at Crosswicks Creek Park in Upper Freehold Township hold demonstrations showing daily activities of turnof- the-20th-century farm life in Monmouth County.

While rooted in tradition, the Monmouth County Fair also has one foot firmly planted in the 21st century. Be sure to check out the live entertainment (including Sibling Rivalry in the 4-H tent on July 24 and Beth Anne Clayton on July 25), the KCBS Barbeque Cook-Off, and the Busted Hose and Ladder Competition.

Don’t forget the midway’s rides and games. This year’s fair will offer three blocks of time where fairgoers may purchase ride wristbands for $15 per person: 5-11 p.m. July 23 and July 25, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 27.

The fair hours are 5-11 p.m. July 23- 25; and 11 a.m.-11 p.m. July 26, and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. July 27. Admission is $6 per person. Children 12 and under are free.