Monmouth County Fair
opens tonight in Freehold
BY DICKMETZGAR
Staff Writer
There will be a bit of space-age flavor included in the festivities at this year’s Monmouth County Fair, which opens today at the East Freehold Park Showgrounds on Kozloski Road, Freehold Township.
All sorts of flying machines and attractions will be on display when the fair opens today at 5 p.m.
The popular summer attraction is scheduled to run for five days, from today through Sunday. Today and tomorrow the gates will be open from 5-11 p.m., on Friday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The fairgrounds are on Kozloski Road between Route 33 and Route 537.
Admission to the fair is $5 per person. Children under 12 are admitted free at all times. People 17 and under will be admitted free of charge on Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Senior citizens will be admitted free of charge Friday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Parking is free at all times.
While kites may have been the only man-made flying objects on display during early 19th century fairs, fairgoers will be treated to many more flying attractions of the modern space age when the air opens its gates today.
Flight Night will include the display of all sorts of flying machines. Visitors can inspect a partially inflated hot air balloon, gliders and model airplanes. You can even take home your own paper airplane. At 9:15 p.m. today the fairgrounds sky will light up with a fireworks show sponsored by the United Way of Monmouth County.
One of the most delightful and unusual daily events at the fair in recent years has been pig racing. Robinson’s racing pigs will tear up the track several times a day throughout the fair. The winning pig will get a cookie and the winning "rooter" from the audience will get a ribbon.
Lumberjack athletes from Scheer’s Lumberjack Show will show off their talent on all five days of the event. The competition will include log-rolling, two-person cross-cut sawing, speed climbing and springboard chopping. These events are sponsored by Dannon Spring Water.
No county fair would be complete without a wildlife show. On all five days "Bwana Jim" will present a lively wildlife show featuring a variety of animals from "down under" and elsewhere. "Bwana Jim" will share his knowledge about these unusual animals several times a day. The show is sponsored by Central Jersey Pools, Freehold Township.
What is a county fair without the opportunity to win a ribbon? On each day of this year’s gala, home and garden competitors and demonstrations will give visitors the opportunity to participate in this true county fair tradition: winning a ribbon for your best creations. Those who enter baked goods, honey, vegetables, flowers, crafts, needlework, art and photography have a chance at yellow, red or blue ribbons.
Competitive 4-H events are also scheduled each day. These 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 on Friday at 7 p.m.
Special events are scheduled for each day of the fair.
Today, along with Flight Night, there will be the annual firefighters’ competition presented by the Monmouth County Firefighters Association, pitting teams of volunteer firefighters in a battle of speed, accuracy and precision. The Shark River Hills Fire Department will defend its title. Competition begins at 7 p.m.
Thursday night will be NASCAR Night. A number of the cars seen on the NASCAR/Nextel Cup circuit will be on display.
On Friday, teams of officers from departments throughout the county will compete in a volleyball tournament. A team from the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office/Corrections will defend its title. Children’s Day, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., will include attractions such as reptile shows and children’s games.
Children will compete in a variety of special events during Poland Springs Race Day on Saturday. The youngsters will compete in a diaper dash for non-walkers, a toddle waddle for walkers up to age 3, and a Big Wheel rally for children up to age 6. There will be a sneaker sprint for 7- and 8-year-olds. Sign-up is scheduled between 11 a.m. and noon for the afternoon events.
An antique auto show is scheduled for Sunday. Old-time autos, fire engines, custom cars and street rods will be on display. Trophies will be awarded.
Various musical groups are scheduled to perform each day at the fair.
The Nerds will take the stage today at 7:30 p.m. with their high-energy brand of rock and roll.
Latin beats will be featured by DeSol at 9 p.m. Thursday. Earlier in the evening 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.
On Friday, Saturday Night Fever will bring 1970s disco classics to the fair stage at 7:45 p.m.
The Fox Brothers of Nashville will perform their own special brand of country music at 8:45 p.m. Saturday. At 3 p.m. Saturday, the Jersey Shore’s Virago vocal group will perform.
A bluegrass festival is scheduled from 12:30-4:30 p.m. Sunday, featuring the best of classic and contemporary bluegrass sounds. The fair’s traditional clown parade will culminate with a stage show at 4 p.m. Featured will be the juggling and balancing act of "Bounce Ooo La La and Daniel."