Middlesex County Fair gets ready to open

Some new events and
entertainers mark
65th anniversary

By charles w. kim
Staff Writer

Some new events and
entertainers mark
65th anniversary
By charles w. kim
Staff Writer


A member of the  4-H Club participates in a horse show at last year’s  Middlesex County Fair.A member of the 4-H Club participates in a horse show at last year’s Middlesex County Fair.

EAST BRUNSWICK — Thousands of people are expected at the 65th annual Middlesex County Fair next week.

Attendees will enjoy rides, agricultural exhibits, and many other special attractions at the county fairgrounds, Route 535, Aug. 4-10.

"It is always a very exciting time for us," Middlesex County Fair Association President Alan Habiak said Wednesday.

The fair will be open Monday-Thursday from 5-11 p.m.; Friday, 1-11 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission costs $5 for adults, $4 for seniors age 65 and older, $1 for children ages 2-12, and free for children under age 2.

Carnival rides will be provided by Skelly’s Amusements, Inc.

The fair will also feature pony rides, home and garden exhibits, animals and shows, vendors, games, and craft demonstrations each day.

In addition to the continuing exhibits and rides, the fair will feature various entertainment each day including the bands T-Birds, Nine Feet Tall, After The Reign, The Duprees, Jimmy Sturr and His Orchestra, and the Party Dolls.

"We have some great entertainment," Habiak said.

Each day, visitors can enjoy the Olde Time Lumberjack Show which will spotlight the skills used by lumberjacks such as speed chopping, ax throwing, and carving with chainsaws.

Other daily attractions will include a new "big top" circus with entertainers like juggler Lisa Lou.

On Friday and Saturday, the New Jersey Civil War History Association will sponsor an encampment presented by the 14th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry, Company H. The re-enactors will parade throughout the fairgrounds and present a history of Company H.

One of the special features of the fair this year will be an agricultural tent that will spotlight agribusinesses in the county. It will include a display by the Master Gardeners of Rutgers Cooperative Extension who will present fact sheets on horticultural, environmental and related topics. The group will also be on hand to answer home gardening questions.

Many other hobbies and crafts will be presented in other tents focusing on home arts, crafts, vegetables and fruits, flowers, and public service.

The Blood Center of New Jersey will be on the grounds Tuesday from 5-9 p.m. and Sunday from 1-5 p.m. for those who wish to donate blood. Individuals who donate will gain free admission.

Another main exhibitor will be the 4-H Club of Middlesex County which will feature many and varied competitions as well as livestock and horse events.

"The fairgrounds have a good assortment of vendors this year. Most of our tents are filled," Habiak said.