As we kick off the summer, New Jersey’s annual county fairs are set to begin in June, with 20 running throughout the state all summer, until the end of September. The Garden State will provide unique and intimate fair experiences, with livestock exhibits, food vendors, farm-raised food products, and more.
Lynn Mathews equine specialist and agricultural fair coordinator for the NJ Department of Agriculture, says increasing agricultural awareness is a major component of New Jersey’s county fairs.
“It is amazing how many people think milk comes from the grocery store,” Mathews says. “Many people spend $100 on a grocery store order, and think most of it goes to a farmer. [Out of] a bag of potato chips, the farmer may get 25 cents. It would be wonderful if everyone took a moment to thank a farmer.”
The state really benefits from these events, as the fairs offer the 4-H and programs in agricultural education a platform from which the public can learn. With Jersey Fresh offerings being among the great food options at the fairs, visitors learn about agricultural processes and get to see where so much of our grocery store produce really comes from.
Food vendors will be on hand serving classic fair food we all know and love, including funnel cake, blooming onion dishes, and peach-themed desserts. Homemade ice cream, milkshakes, barbecue, and a special Jersey-style pork roll hot dog will also be available.
New Jersey’s county fairs are great places for families to enjoy fresh produce, delicious fair treats, and quality time with each other. Check out this list of upcoming county fairs around the state!
New Jersey County Fair Schedule
June 28: Burlington County
Stars & Stripes Livestock Show
Burlington County Community Agricultural Center
500 Centerton Rd (Intersection of Centerton and Hartford Rds.), Moorestown
July 7 to 11: Cumberland County
Cumberland County Cooperative Fair
Cumberland County Fairgrounds
3001 Carmel Rd, Millville
July 8 to 12: Monmouth County
Freedom Fest State Fair
Horse Park of New Jersey
626 Rt. 524, Allentown
July 8 to 12: Ocean County
Ocean County Fair
Robert J. Miller Air Park, Rt. 530
Berkeley Township
July 14 to 19: Burlington County
Burlington County Farm Fair
1960 Jacksonville Jobstown Rd, Columbus
July 15 to 19: Morris County
Morris County 4-H Fair
Chubb Park, Rt. 24, Chester
Directions
July 16 to 18: Cape May County
Cape May County 4-H Fair
Cape May County Fairgrounds
355 Court House, South Dennis Rd, Cape May
July 22 to 26: Monmouth County
Monmouth County Fair
East Freehold Showgrounds
1500 Kozloski Rd, Freehold
July 23 to 26: Gloucester County
Gloucester County 4-H Fair
4-H Fairgrounds
275 Bridgeton Pike, Mullica Hill
July 25 to Aug. 1: Warren County
Warren County Farmers’ Fair
1350 Strykers Rd, Phillipsburg
July 31 to Aug. 9: Sussex County
New Jersey State Fair/Sussex County Farm and Horse Show
Sussex County Fairgrounds
37 Plains Rd, Augusta
Aug. 1 to 2: Mercer County
Mercer County 4-H Fair
Howell Living History Farm
70 Woodens Ln, Lambertville
Aug. 3 to 9: Middlesex County
Middlesex County Fair
655 Cranbury Rd, East Brunswick
Aug. 4 to 7: Salem County
Salem County Fair
735 Harding Hwy, Woodstown
Aug. 6 to 8: Atlantic County
Atlantic County 4-H Fair
David C. Wood 4-H Center and Fairgrounds
3120 Rt. 50, Egg Harbor City
Aug. 12 to 14: Somerset County
Somerset County 4-H Fair
North Branch Park
355 Milltown Rd, Bridgewater
Aug. 19 to 23: Hunterdon County
Hunterdon County 4-H and Agricultural Fair
Hunterdon County Fairgrounds
1207 Rt. 79, Ringoes
September 19: Monmouth County
Open Space Pace Festival of Horses
Freehold Raceway
130 Park Ave, Freehold
September 19 to 20: Bergen County
Bergen County 4-H Fair
Overpeck County Park
40 Fort Lee Rd, Leonia
September 26 to 27: Camden County
Camden County 4-H Fair
Location TBA
By Bridget Whitfield and Alex Esposito
