Hunterdon County’s 4-H and Agricultural Fair runs Wednesday through Sunday, Aug. 19-23, at the South County Park on Route 179, near Ringoes. With more than 45,000 people expected to attend, the fair is the largest event held by and for the residents of Hunterdon.
Nearly 450 4-H members (in 22 clubs) are taking part. They’re grooming their goats, shearing their sheep, cleaning their cows and finishing many more tasks to ready their projects for judging. Although the fair officially opens at 10 a.m. daily, some of the 4-H shows start at 9, so all the various contests and competitions can be fit into the schedule.
“Make sure to check out some of the farm animal exhibits and shows,” fair director Roger Everitt urged. “Even if you don’t know anything about cows or sheep or goats, you’ll find it interesting to talk to the 4-H members about their projects, to watch their faces as the judge comes near during the shows.
One improvement made to the fairgrounds in recent weeks is a new and larger Main Stage. Dan “Dr. D” Torrone of Clinton, a professional entertainer and former 4-Her, arranges and emcees all the shows and acts on the stage. Once again he’s lined up a variety of performers, ranging from an entertainer from Nashville to 4-H members talking about their projects.
The Nashville guest is Johnny Counterfeit, a comedian-impressionist who sings, plays the guitar and imitates dozens of musicians and other celebrities. Because he was such a crowd favorite at the 2014 fair, Mr. Torrone brought him back and his band back for a Saturday night show.
Another returning entertainer is farmer Dave Bond and his band Real Country, which will put on a classic country music show Thursday night. And of course we’ll have the big fireworks show Friday.”
Besides the new stage, the fair has a new Office-Administration Building, Mr. Everitt said.
“While most fair go-ers won’t notice how much it helps us, having a permanent structure makes it much easier for the volunteers who put in many, many hours helping with the fair operations. In the past they were in a small converted camper, and then a job-site office trailer. The building offers us much-needed space, and flexibility for whatever comes up during the fair.
All the Main Stage entertainment is free. There is no per-person admission cost; parking is $10 per car.
There’s a $5 person charge for spectators at the farm tractor and truck pull on Wednesday night; all other shows and acts are free. For the amusement rides, people can buy individual tickets or wrist bands for unlimited rides.
Vendors will offer all kinds of food, ranging from burgers and fries to sugar-dusted funnel cake and chocolate-covered cheesecake on-a-stick. In a milk industry promotion, free ice cream sundaes will be given away Friday starting at 2 p.m., at the Dairy Den. The new county Dairy Princess and her court, along with members of 4-H dairy clubs, will serve the ice cream along with choice of toppings.
Many fair contests are open to the public to enter, including biggest vegetables, canned goods, jams and jellies, farm crops and honey. Thos entries are brought in before the fair starts; check the website at www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/4hagfair.htm for rules and other details.
Kids can compete Sunday afternoon on the annual pedal tractor pull, using a little tractor the fair provides to test their leg power and try for a trophy.
The fair is successor to the Flemington Fair, last held in 1999. It’s been staged at the current site, once home of the Ringoes Drive-In movie theater, since 2004.
