By Amy Batista, Special Writer
MONROE — Thousands attended the second annual Monroe Country Fair Sept. 9, which was recently taken over by the Monroe Recreation Department last year and after being hosted for more than two decades by the local MOM’s Club.
”It’s just another one of those events we have for Monroe Recreation,” said a Program Supervisor at Monroe Township Recreation Department, Jay Brown. “We put a lot of time and effort but it’s worth it because it’s a community event that brings the community together, old and young, both enjoying it at the same time.”
Families came out to spend the afternoon with friends and family. For some, it was their first time experiencing the fair, while for others it is a yearly tradition.
”So fun,” said Lori Wojciechoski of Monroe. “We have been coming since (her son Ryan, 4,) was a baby. He loved being around the other kids and playing games.”
”It’s a great family day,” said Maggie Melnick of Monroe. “We come every year.”
The event kicked off with performances from the Monroe Wolverine Cheerleaders followed by other demonstrations throughout the afternoon including a Karate demo by Mountain Martial Arts, a local childrens’ rock group called The Rock Monsters, and a local DJ playing music in between demonstrations.
”We went on a few rides and we are having a little treat (ice cream) after lunch. It was an enjoyable afternoon,” said Alex Farganis of Monroe.
Some 96 vendors participated in the fair, including vendors from around the area. Local business also came to promote their businesses, crafters sold their products, and some even provided educational programs such as recycling.
Most of the Monroe Municipal Departments were on hand, showing the public what they do and passing out information.
Monroe Municipal Services provided tours of their ambulances, the Monroe Township Library who had its Bookmobile, the Township Department of Public Works had its roving environmental classroom the Enviro-Mobile, and many more.
”It was free for the vendors,” Mr. Brown said. “We asked that they make food donations which will go to our local food pantry.”
Mr. Brown said there was a truck outside the fenced in area that is collecting the donations as they come in.
”It’s good for the community and you get to see all the businesses out there,” said Ray Chin of Old Bridge who was attending the fair for his first time after a friend recommended it. “It’s good for informational purposes and good for the kids too.”
”The balloons and the candy (are the best part),” said daughter Zoe Chin, 4, of Old Bridge.
The second “Country Idol” contest was held in which there were six contestants who entered.
Hailey Kim was named the “The Grand Country Fair Idol Champion.”
”Epic, I’m so happy,” she said, after winning by performing sang “The Climb” by Miley Cyrus, and screaming with excitement.
”Hailey wants to try out for American Idol some day,” said mom Amy Kim of Monroe. “She’s been singing since she was two.
”We feel it’s been successful and we are going to continue it,” said Mr. Brown. “I’m sure next year’s will be bigger.”
The Recreation booth was running games for the children which included finding candy in the hay, a mummy wrap, and tossing a hula-hoop over buckets to win prizes in addition to children being able to select from other giveaways.
”Our Recreation Booth was making every child a winner with candy, bandanas, hats, and other giveaways,” Mr. Brown said.
There were other booths and vendors set up for entertainment. Children enjoyed a large inflatable bouncy sponsored by Feist Engineering, pony rides and a petting zoo.
This year more food vendors were on hand and set up differently, according to Mr. Brown.
”Instead of having one full fence of food, we split it up into two fences. It gives them more room and I tried to split it up evenly so that, in others words, we have a barbecue guy there (on one fence and one on the other instead of next two each other) and a corn guy here and a corn guy there so they are not in direct competition in the same aisle,” Mr. Brown said.
Mr. Brown said they had 14 food vendors who included Thai, sausage and peppers, popped corn, roasted corn, hot dogs, Gyros, shish-kA-bob, and barbecue ribs and hamburgers.
About 80 cars of all types of makes and models could be found lining Lakeview Avenue on either side during the car show.

