County fair
brings fun
to Freehold
BY DICKMETZGAR
Staff Writer
The Monmouth County Fair will bring its tradition of food, fun, entertainment, vendors, rides and activities to Freehold Township this week. The fair runs from July 21-25 at the East Freehold Park Showgrounds on Kozloski Road, between Route 33 and Route 537.
Yesterday and today, the gates open from 5-11 p.m., on July 23 from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., on July 24 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and on July 25 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is $5 per person. Children under 12 are free at all times. People 17 and under will be admitted free on July 23 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Senior citizens will be admitted free on July 23 from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Parking is free.
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. The competition will include log-rolling, two-person cross-cut sawing, speed climbing and springboard chopping.
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 July 23 at 7 p.m.
July 22 is NASCAR Night. A number of the cars seen on the NASCAR/Nextel Cup circuit will be on display.
On July 23, 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 July 24. 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.
An antique auto show is scheduled for July 25.
Various musical groups are scheduled to perform each day at the fair.
Latin beats will be featured by DeSol at 9 p.m. July 22. 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 July 23, 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. July 24. 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. July 25, 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."