There are 21 counties in NJ, and nearly every one of them holds a county fair during the summer that attracts families from all over the state. There will be tons of rides, games, attractions, activities, food and more. Here’s a list of when the fairs are happening:
Atlantic County 4-H Fair
August 8-9
Atlantic County 4-H Fairgrounds, Mays Landing
The attractions here include a car show, a baby parade, a pet parade, open mic, a pie-eating contest, a watermelon-eating contest, rides and a chicken BBQ.
Bergen County 4-H Fair: Bergen County Fall Harvest Festival
September 26-28
Overpeck County Park, Ridgefield Park
The Fall Harvest Festival usually features 4-H and Master Gardener displays and hands-on activities, a craft fair, carnival rides, a farmers market, a petting zoo, live music, face painting, food trucks, and more carnival attractions.
Burlington County Farm Fair
July 22-26
Burlington County Fairgrounds, 1960 Jacksonville-Jobstown Rd., Columbus
Come by for opening night and stay for the fireworks. There will be lots of barnyard animals on display. Thursday is Kids Day, where they can pretend to be a farmer. Saturday features a public pet show.
Cape May County 4-H Foundation Fair
July 17-19
4-H Fairgrounds, 355 Court House, S. Dennis Road, Cape May Court House
The fair provides a showplace for the work of the youth members of Rutgers Cooperative Extension’s 4‑H Youth Development Program. The event is planned, managed and operated by volunteers, 4‑H members and their parents and friends. Expect lots of demos, barnyard animals, activities for kids and food vendors. And the Cape May County Board of Agriculture hosts its annual chicken BBQ.
Cumberland County Fair
July 8-12
Cumberland County Fairgrounds, 3001 Carmel Rd., Millville
Activities include dog shows, horse shows, rabbit shows, poultry shows, goat shows and lots of rides. There will be exhibits, livestock, chicken BBQ and other food.
Essex County 4-H Fall Family Festival Celebration
September 21
Essex County Environmental Center, 621 Eagle Rock Ave., Roseland
The county’s 4-H Fall Harvest Showcase will be held in partnership with the Fall Family Festival Celebration. All projects will be showcased and awarded based on the Danish judging system: cash prizes are awarded for Best in Division and Best in Class, sponsored by the Essex County 4-H Leaders Association. Residents can submit projects in any of the fall divisions including Gardening, Food and Nutrition, and Fruits and Vegetables.
Gloucester County 4-H Fair
July 24-27
4-H County Fairgrounds, 275 Bridgeton Pike (Rte. 77), Mullica Hill
Four days of family fun include 4-H project displays, Day at the Farm, a draft horse pull, a baby parade, crafters and vendors, nightly BBQ, musical guests, contests, meet-and-greets and animal shows.
Hunterdon County 4H & Agricultural Fair
August 20-24
South County Park, 1207 Rte. 179, Ringoes (Lambertville)
Visit the cow barn, horse barn, sheep barn, and the goat and pig barn. There will be a midway with food, vendors and amusements. Check out the 4-H robotics tent, dairy den, agri-puppet show, shooting sports, NJ beekeepers and antique tractors.
Mercer County 4-H Fair
July 26-27
Howell Living History Farm, 70 Woodens Lane, Hopewell
The fair includes animal shows and exhibits, homemade ice cream, hay rides, pony rides, music, magic shows and farm tours. Check out displays by the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Mercer County, Mercer County Wildlife Center Friends, Mid-State Beekeepers Association and many more. Bring a non-perishable food donation for Rutgers Against Hunger.
Middlesex County Fair
August 4-10
Middlesex County Fairgrounds, Cranbury Road, East Brunswick
There will be a home arts show, vendors and exhibits. Even more fun are the events and entertainment including racing, chainsaw carving, lots of horses, a magic show, comedy, puppets, jugglers and a stilt walker.
Monmouth County Fair
July 23-27
Monmouth County Park System, 1500 Kozloski Rd., Freehold
This year’s free entertainment includes Robinson’s Racing Pigs, Bwana Jim’s Wildlife Show, Tommy Turvey’s stunt horses and dogs, Hilby the Skinny German Juggle Boy, Mutts Gone Nuts, Bluey and Bingo, Ocean Avenue Stompers, Blake Wallenda’s High Wire Act and Crunchy the T-Rex. Check out the 4-H shows and exhibits, rides and games, live music on the Main Stage, living history displays, home and garden demos and lots of food.
Morris County Tri-County Fair
June 12-15
Christ Church, 140 Green Pond Rd., Rockaway
Carnival attractions, rides, games, live music, fireworks and more will be spread across 107 acres. There will be heart-pounding rides such as the Polar Express and the Sky Hawk, classic rides like the Ferris Wheel, kiddie rides, games of chance and monster truck rides. There will be also pony rides, fair foods, family-friendly music, a fireworks show, an old time car show complete with ’50s music, the Extreme Illusions and Escapes of Josh Knotts. If you bring your superhero dad on Father’s Day he can take a picture with the Batmobile!
Morris County 4-H Fair on the Farm
July 25-27
High View Farms, 416 Sand Shore Rd., Mt. Olive
There will be lots to see and do at the fair. There will be 4-H animals including goats, chickens, dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs. Kids will have fun at the animal shows, presentations, quiz bowls, on the hayride, at the arts and craft exhibits, on the monster truck rides and eating at the food trucks.
Ocean County Fair
July 9-13
Robert J. Miller Air Park, Pinewald-Keswick Rd./Rte. 530 and Mule Road, Bayville
Experience a variety of musical acts and animal events. Meet animals raised by local youth, learn new things in the 4-H general tent and participate in fun games and activities. There will be rides, food and vendors.
Passaic County Fair
August 14-17
Garret Mountain, Woodland Park
Expected activities include rides, games, bounce houses, animal ambassadors, pony rides, a petting zoo, face painting, the 4-H experience, a chess tournament, touch-a-truck, butterfly exhibits, music, performances and a beer garden.
Salem County Fair
August 4-8
Salem County Fairgrounds, 735 Harding Highway (Rte. 40 East), Woodstown
For animal lovers, there will be a horse arena, horse barn, poultry barn, rabbit barn, beef bar, sheep and swine barn, goat tent and livestock arena. Check out the farm machinery, tractor pull area, skillet throw area and lots of food. Sign up for the home economics, tablescaping, pig scramble or cast iron skillet contests.
Somerset County 4-H Fair
August 6-8
North Branch Park, Bridgewater
The fair has been going on for more than 75 years. The 4-H clubs showcase their work, local businesses and entertainment can support the youth, and families can eat, play, go on rides and check out all the displays.
Sussex County Farm & Horse Show (New Jersey State Fair)
August 1-9
New Jersey State Fair, 37 Plains Rd., Augusta
Children’s Day is Tuesday. Free activities include fire dances, The Human Slinky, a cycle circus, a performing arts tent, a circus act, hot dog pig races, Oscar the Robot, flying K9s and freehand custom carving demos. Additional fees apply for bull riding, demolition derby, monster truck show, championship pulling series and truck pulling.
Warren County Farmers’ Fair & Balloon Festival
July 26 – August 2
1350 Strykers Rd., Phillipsburg
After watching the hot air balloons launch you can head to the Demolition Derby and Rafter Z Rodeo. Traditions include an arts expo, kids’ corral, 4-H shows, free concerts by local bands, the garden tractor pull and a beer garden.
Editor’s Note: Always check times, dates and weather updates before heading out.
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