The Mercer County 4-H Fair will be held Aug. 1 and 2 at the Howell Living History Farm.
There are many “open division” categories at the fair; one does not need to be a 4-H member to exhibit.
A our special family recipe, homegrown vegetable or creative project could earn a ribbon, and the general public is encouraged to submit entries.
The fair will celebrate 4-H’s long association with Mercer County and Howell Farm by featuring family-friendly activities, such as arts and crafts, animal shows and farm tours.
This year’s theme is “4-H: Think Green, Live Green, Love Green.”
Visit http://mercer.njaes.rutgers.edu/4h/fair to will find the fair exhibit book. Any class listed — including arts and crafts, photography, foods, gardening, clothing, woodworking and more — may be entered under the open division. Projects will be received from the general public for entry in the fair Friday, July 31, from 3 to 8 p.m. at Howell Farm.
The fair will run from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1, and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2. Admission and parking are free.
Children’s activities, hay rides and exhibits will take place throughout the fair. Plenty of food and drink, including homemade ice cream, will be available. The opening ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. Aug. 1.
4-H, a youth development program operated by Rutgers Cooperative Extension, provides research-based, hands-on learning experiences for youth in Mercer County. The fair is an opportunity for 4-H members to showcase projects they have worked on throughout the year.
For more information about 4-H or entering projects in the fair, contact Altaira Bejgrowicz at the Mercer County 4-H Office at 609-989-6833 or bejgrowicz@njaes.rutgers.edu.
Howell Living History Farm, a facility of the Mercer County Park Commission, is on Valley Road, off Route 29, 2 miles south of Lambertville.
Regular hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays.
The Mercer County Park Commission will offer free Saturday evening hayrides at Howell Living History Farm on July 25 from 5 to 8 p.m.
The horse-drawn rides last 20 minutes, carrying visitors over the lanes of the 130-acre working farm.
During the program, visitors also can take self-guided tours, picnic in the picnic area and join a marshmallow roast.
Rides will leave the barnyard area every 25 minutes beginning at 5:10 p.m. with the last ride departing at 8 p.m. Rides will be given on a first-come, first-served basis to the first 200 visitors. Rides are intended for individual and family participation; groups cannot be accommodated.
A wheelchair-accessible wagon also is available. Individuals who would like to ride on this wagon should call 609-737-3299 in advance and ask for Kathy. The wagon is horse drawn.
On the dates when evening hayrides are offered, the farm will be closed during the day.
Howell Farm is on Valley Road, off Route 29, 2 miles south of Lambertville at 70 Woodens Lane.
Visiting hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. Parking and admission are free.
The farm is maintained and operated by the Mercer County Park Commission and can be reached at 609-737-3299 or by visiting www.howellfarm.org or www.mercercountyparks.org.
