The 45th annual Monmouth County Fair, presented by the Monmouth County Park System in cooperation with the Monmouth County 4-H Association, will run from July 24-28 and offer residents and visitors an array of amusement rides, carnival games, homegrown entertainment, locally grown produce, fair food, contests and more at the East Freehold Showgrounds, Kozloski Road, Freehold Township.
“The Monmouth County Fair is a longstanding midsummer tradition where generations of families have gathered at the East Freehold Showgrounds to create memories and see what Monmouth County has to offer,” said Freeholder Lillian G. Burry, liaison to the park system and 4-H Association.
“Families are able to enjoy all of the fun amenities of the county fair while learning about local agriculture and county services that are available to residents. The fair maintains the agricultural nature of a traditional county fair with its home and garden competition, petting zoo and 4-H animal shows and exhibits,” Burry said.
Monmouth County employees will be distributing information about departmental services, giving demonstrations and answering questions at a tent just inside the fair’s front entrance, according to a press release.
The county government tent is dedicated to resources from various county departments including tourism, county clerk, surrogate, human resources, health, mosquito, human services, transportation, workforce development, library system, Brookdale Community College and fire marshal.
“Each summer, everyone looks forward to the latter part of July because of the fun the fair delivers,” Freeholder Director Thomas A. Arnone said. “I commend the entire county and its employees for their wholehearted commitment to making the fair one of the top choices for summertime fairs in New Jersey.”
Highlights of this year’s fair will include the Hell on Wheels BMX Stunt Show, the Indian River Olde Time Lumberjack Show and the Pirate Cirque-Tacular, according to the press release.
Returning favorites include Hilby the Skinny German Juggling Boy, Bwana Jim’s Wildlife Show, Mutts Gone Nuts and Robinson’s Racing Pigs. These acts will be at the fair all five nights.
There will be featured entertainment each day the fair is open. The entertainment will kick off with Start Making Sense, a Talking Heads tribute band, on July 24 from 8-10:15 p.m.
The fun continues as the Big House Band takes the stage on July 25 at 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. and performs rock, pop, Motown and more.
Break out the cowboy boots when Jake’s Rockin’ County Band performs on July 26 at 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. The band will cover current and classic country music artists.
July 27 will feature performances by students from the School of Rock at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.
Later that evening, Jobonanno & The Godsons will celebrate music that defined the Jersey Shore when they present “The Spirit of Asbury Revue” at 8 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
The last day of the fair, July 28, brings the bluegrass group Last Whippoorwill to the stage at noon and 1:45 p.m.
Rides at the fair will once again be provided by Reithoffer Shows and include the Air Race, Music Express, Zero Gravity and more. Families with small children will enjoy the separate Kids Zone Ride Area with Ride Your Dragon, Rockin’ Tugboat, Jumping Jumbos and more.
Ride wristbands, available daily, allow fair-goers to enjoy unlimited rides on any one day. Ride wristbands will be available for purchase at the fair for $25 on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday; and $30 on Friday and Saturday. Single ride tickets will be available daily.
The Monmouth County Fair will be open from 5-11 p.m. July 24-26; from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 27; and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 28. Admission is $8 per person. Children 12 and under are free. Free admission will be offered to individuals age 65 and over and to active military personnel with identification on July 28.
For more information about the fair, visit www.MonmouthCountyFair.com, or call 732-842-4000.