The Somerset County 4-H Fair runs Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, Aug. 12 to 14, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at North Branch Park, 355 Milltown Road, Bridgewater, located between routes 22 and 202.
Since 1948, thousands of visitors have enjoyed the 4-H Fair. The fair has grown and changed, but there are still no admission or parking fees, no midway or carnival rides. This fair recognizes the accomplishments of 1,000 Somerset County 4-H members and is a showcase for visitors to see 4-H projects in action.
Maps and schedules of daily events, such as dog, horse and livestock shows, are available in the information tent. Twirling, go-karts, rockets, magic, line dancing, model airplanes, radio-controlled cars, model trains and other 4-H clubs compete and perform.
The Arts Tent, Science Tent and Prep Tent (for the youngest 4-Hers) are packed with exhibits, activities for visitors, demonstrations and performances. Ten other 4-H tents house a variety of animals, including dairy cows, beef, alpaca, horses, dogs, herpetology, sheep, goats, poultry, rabbits and small animals. Most animal tents have a petting area and information about how to join 4-H.
Somerset County government, Raritan Valley Community College, veterans services, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Somerset County Library and other non-profit organizations and commercial advertisers have displays, information, contests and free gifts. Under the big top, more than 20 community organizations offer a variety of meals and snacks. Three 4-H clubs will observe anniversaries: Trainmasters (model trains), 15 years; Wooly Ones (sheep), 35 years, and Broken Props (model planes), 35 years.
The theme for this year is “4-H Footprints.” While it has no meaning in and of itself, clubs will be using it in many ways. . . footprints on the community, on my heart, etc.
Sustainability is a new push for 4-H and carbon footprints will also be noted. Clubs are encouraged to have a sustainability component to their exhibits. The chair of the 4-H Association Sustainability Committee is Heidi Cyr, who is working with the food tent to offer vendors the opportunity to collect food scraps for the pig farmer.
Holy Ghost Church in Manville will offer pierogis and potato pancakes for sale, and Prince Hall Masons will sell fish fry and sweet potato pies.
All day, professional and amateur entertainment can be enjoyed. Entertainment will take place in Clover Theater from 10:30 a.m.–10 p.m. Wednesday, 10 a.m.-9:30 Thursday and 10-9 p.m. Friday. In addition there’ll be entertainment in the showmobile 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Wednesday, 10:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Thursday and 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday.
On Wednesday around the fairgrounds Phydeaux’s Flying Flea Circus and Medicine Show will entertain from 2-5 p.m., and the parade of clubs will take place from 7:45-8 p.m.
Abner Mathews of Bridgewater will receive recognition for 40 years of service to Somerset County 4-H Youth on Wednesday in the show tent at 7 p.m.
Mr. Mathews began his 4-H career 40 years ago as a leader of the remote control airplane club and was instrumental in establishing the first Somerset County Go-Kart Club. As his own kids aged out of the program, he took on more leadership roles at the county level.
Currently, he is the senior volunteer Somerset County 4-H fair manager, a member of the Somerset County 4-H Association and the official 4-H photographer. Throughout the year, he is involved in every phase of the planning and preparation of the county 4-H fair.
Free shuttle buses run from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. each day of the fair from Raritan Valley Community College, Route 28, North Branch.
The fair is sponsored by the Somerset County 4-H Association and supported by the Board of Chosen Freeholders in support of the 4-H Youth Development Program of Rutgers Cooperative Extension. 4-H members, volunteer fair managers, 4-H club leaders and parents work together, making this the largest event in Somerset County.
Other partners include the Somerset County Park Commission and Raritan Valley Community College. Stevenson-D’Alessio American Legion Post 12 and Johnson & Johnson Ethicon, Inc. are major donors.
For more information about the Somerset County 4-H Fair, visit http://somerset.njaes.rutgers.edu/4hfair/.
