If it’s late July and the mercury is rising, it must be time for the Monmouth County Fair. Keeping cool won’t be a problem for visitors to the fair, however, as they take a breezy ride atop the Ferris wheel or sample a frosty treat from one of the many food vendors who will be at the East Freehold Park Showgrounds, Freehold Township, Wednesday through Sunday, July 24-28.
Five activity-packed days will offer the sights, sounds, tastes and aromas of an old-fashioned fair with competitions, animals, rides, food and entertainment.
The entertainment lineup includes Johnny Maestro and the Brooklyn Bridge at 7 p.m. Wednesday. Thursday will feature the 25th annual "Talent Showcase" at 7 p.m., with some of Monmouth County’s talented teens singing, dancing, and performing original and popular music on their instruments.
"Forbidden Broadway," a spoof of the Great White Way, comes to the fair Friday, and Saturday’s show will feature The Steve Love Roller Show and Breakin’ Show coasting across the stage.
Sunday’s entertainment will bring back the music of the ’50s and ’60s when Who’s Johnny takes the stage. And that feeling of nostalgia won’t be limited to the stage, as an antique auto show on display at the fair will feature 150 classic cars.
Some of the activities and events scheduled for the fair include the Firefighters’ Hook & Ladder Competition at 7 p.m. Wednesday, when the Freehold Borough Fire Department will try to defend its 2001 title.
Wednesday also will be the first of three blocks of time when fairgoers can buy a $10 wristband for unlimited midway rides (weather permitting). The discount will also be available on Friday and Sunday.
Thursday will be NASCAR Night, featuring some of the NASCAR and Winston Cup cars on display. And in a different display of speed, graceful horses and their riders will compete in barrel races at 7 p.m.
The Policemen’s volleyball game will be played with determination by seasoned officers from all over Monmouth County at 5 p.m. Friday, when members of the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office/ Corrections will defend their title.
Friday is also Children’s Day and Senior Citizens Day, when admission is free for seniors all day, and free for ages 17 and under from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday is Poland Spring Race Day, with a Diaper Dash for non-walkers, Toddler Waddle for walkers up to age 3, Big Wheel Rallye (Big Wheels supplied) for up to age 6, and Sneaker Sprint for ages 7-8; sign up between 11 a.m. and noon.
Sunday’s events include a pet show, a reptile show and a bluegrass festival.
The fair will also feature 4-H animals, fresh produce, arts and crafts, plenty of food, a petting zoo, racing pigs, and a Home & Garden tent with cookies, vegetables, flowers, fruit, cakes, crocheting, art, crafts, scrap booking, quilting and demonstrations.
The agricultural underpinnings of the fair will be evident at the Historic Longstreet Farm and Historic Walnford tent, where there will also be demonstrations of lace-making, needlepoint, spinning and smocking.
General admission to the fair is $4 per person, with children under age 12 admitted free. Gates will be open from 5-11 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Call (732) 842-400.