Ocean County Fair Brings Together Food, Fun, Community

BERKELEY, NJ — The Ocean County Fair once again brought together food, fun and the community.

The annual fair featured activities such as rides, pig races, Vendors served up fair staples like cheesesteaks, funnel cakes, ice cream and cotton candy.

Other vendors sold candles, t-shirts and toys. There was a car raffle held by From Jersey With Love, an organization that provides aid to local and global communities. The fair also had numerous rides such as the "Wacky Worm" roller coaster and the "Starship 3000," among others.

Hot Dog Pig Racing also held raced its hogs. The High Flying Pages provided acrobatic, thrilling entertainment and the 2017 world champion Dennis Beach wowed audiences with his chainsaw woodcarving abilities. There was face painting and prize games in addition to the assorted rides.

"This year is going to be a huge success," fair manager Jeff Adams said Friday. "People come out when it's nice, and we've been fortunate to have good weather."

The Ocean County Fair has been going strong for 72 years, Adams said. It started out as a 4-H and agricultural field day in Ocean County in 1947. Held in Lakewood, it was organized to celebrate the accomplishments of 4-H.

The first official "Ocean County Field Day" that same year featured only a few vendors and an estimated 500 people. Today the fair is sponsored by the Ocean County Board of Agriculture, the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the Rutgers University Cooperative Extension Service and the NJ Department of Agriculture.

"I think it's great for the little ones," said patron Janice Stern. "I brought my 2-year-old grandson, and he's having a great time with the animals."

Michael Ardise, who works with 4-H, had the idea to get 4-H involved with Oceans of Love when he was 14 years old. He had a friend with cancer — and that motivated him to partner with 4-H — a youth development organization, and raise awareness.

Oceans of Love is a nonprofit that helps Ocean County children with cancer and their families. Every club in 4-H has a collection jar to aid the work of Ocean of Love. They raised $2,500 last year and intend to double it this year, Ardise said.

Fundraising efforts and community activities all come together at the Ocean County Fair.

"The food (at the fair) is phenomenal, and I love looking at 4-H, petting the ducklings, watching them hatch and we love the goats," said patron Elizabeth Meyer.

Click here to get Patch email notifications on this or other local news articles or get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our app. Download here. Follow Berkeley Patch on Facebook.