FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP — The summer tradition of fun, Ferris wheels, and food is here! The East Freehold Park Showgrounds, Kozloski Road between Route 537 and Route 33, will host the 2003 Monmouth County Fair from July 23-27.
Hours of operation are July 23-24, 5-11 p.m.; July 25, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.; July 26, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; and July 27, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Monmouth County Park System, in cooperation with the Monmouth County 4-H Association, is hosting the fair.
Events to be featured at this year’s fair include:
• "The Olympics of the Forest" — Watch lumberjack athletes battle it out in Scheer’s Lumberjack Show. Logrolling, two-person cross cut sawing, speed climbing, and springboard chopping are a few of the skill and speed activities where these competitors will try their skills.
• Unusual Racers — Robinson’s Racing Pigs will tear up the track several times a day all five days of the fair. Some of the pigs will be paddling to victory in a special, shallow pool. The winning pig gets a cookie and the winning "rooter" from the audience gets a ribbon.
• Home and Garden Competitions and Demonstrations — Everyone can take part in a true county fair tradition: Winning a ribbon for their best creation. Those who enter baked goods, honey, vegetables, flowers, crafts, needlework, art and photography have a chance at yellow, red or blue ribbons.
• 4-H Fun — competitions, exhibits and demonstrations include the display and judging of animals raised and cared for by 4-H youngsters. The 4-H Ambassador Contest, horse riding contests and animal shows are a few of the ways 4-H youth display their expertise and dedication. The Monmouth County Clogging Invitational will be held Friday at 7 p.m.
• The Historic Longstreet Farm and Historic Walnford Tent. This year’s tent theme, "Farm, Field and Food," invites fairgoers to learn how food makes its way to the dinner table.
• July 23 — "Chosen Few" will open the 2003 Monmouth County Fair Main Stage lineup at 7 p.m. with their four-part contemporary harmonies.
• July 24 — "The Don Campbell Band" will bring their foot-stompin’ sing-alongs mixed in with heartfelt ballads to the stage at 9 p.m. The annual talent showcase will present some of Monmouth County’s best teens as they sing, dance and play their instruments to original and popular music.
• July 25 — Ty-Rone’s World will take over the Main Stage with shows at 11:15 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 8 p.m., and 9:30 p.m. The performance includes lots of puppets and Tyrone’s ventriloquism skills.
• July 26 — The Jersey Shore’s "Fabulous Greaseband" and their highly entertaining and energetic delivery of the greatest dance songs ever written will delight fairgoers with two Main Stage shows (9 and 10 p.m.).
• July 27 — The Bluegrass Festival from 12:30-4:30 p.m. will feature Southern Grass, Heavy Traffic and Ranch Rhythm who will perform the best of classic and contemporary bluegrass sounds. The Monmouth County fair’s traditional Clown Parade will culminate with a stage show at 4 p.m.
• Pie Eating Contest, this new event on July 27 at 1 p.m. will be memorable and messy. The pies will be donated fresh from the bakery at Wemrock Orchards, Manalapan. Registration begins at noon.
• NASCAR Night, July 24, see the cars you watch on the NASCAR circuit.
• Family Times, July 23, July 25 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m. only); and July 26, continue the tradition of discount rides for all and an assortment of family-oriented activities and events for all ages. Fairgoers can buy a $13 wristband for unlimited midway rides (weather permitting).
• Poland Spring Race Day, sponsored by Poland Spring Water, on July 26, is an easy-going prelude to your child’s later-in-life sports competitions. Parents get as much of a kick as the children who participate in the Diaper Dash for non-walkers, Toddler Waddle for walkers up to 3 years of age, Big Wheel Rally for children up to 6 years (Big Wheel trikes supplied), and Sneaker Sprint for 7- and 8-year-olds. Sign up between 11 a.m. and noon, watch the early afternoon fun, and take home a ribbon.
• The Antique Auto Show on July 27 is for everyone interested in old-time autos and fire engines or street rods and custom cars.
Parking at the fair is free. Admission is $4 per person; youngsters 12 and under are always admitted free. Those 17 and under get in free on July 25 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Admission is free to senior citizens from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on July 25.