Everything To Expect At The Monmouth County Fair This Year

FREEHOLD, NJ — Whether you’re coming to cheer on Robinsons’ Racing Pigs, delight at the antics of Mutts Gone Nuts, or laugh at Hilby, The Skinny German Juggle Boy, this year’s Monmouth County Fair promises to deliver as it welcomes back these beloved acts and introduces new ones, including the Wallenda Productions Aerial Thrill Show.

Held from Wednesday-Sunday, July 24-28, at East Freehold Showgrounds, Kozloski Road, Freehold, this annual tradition is presented by the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners in cooperation with the Monmouth County Park System and the Monmouth County 4-H Association.

With so much to see and do, fairgoers might need all five days to experience everything the Monmouth County Fair has to offer. The fair is open 4-11 p.m. on Wednesday-Friday, July 24-26; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. on Saturday, July 27; and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sunday, July 28.

General daily admission to the Monmouth County Fair is $10 per adult; children 12 and under are admitted free. Veterans and active military with ID also enter for free. On Sunday, seniors 65 and older and students with ID are free. New for this year is half price admission during the first two hours of each day; 4-6 p.m. Wednesday-Friday; and 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday & Sunday.

Brimming with excitement, this year’s fair also features the Bwana Jim Wildlife Show, Tommie Turvey's Stunt Horses & Dogs, the Butterfly Encounter, strolling entertainment, 4-H shows & exhibits, food, games, rides and so much more!

Highlights include the Firefighters Competition and fireworks (weather permitting) on opening night; an on-site native flower arranging competition on Friday; Country Line Dancing provided by BTK Entertainment on Saturday; and a Pie-Eating Contest on Sunday.

Live music is always one of the best parts of the Fair, and the tradition continues:

The ultimate party band The Counterfeiters starts the fun on Wednesday. Then Brian Kirks and the Jirks keep things rocking on Thursday. Fairgoers will flash back to the seventies with Super Trans Am on Friday. Then it’s time to break out the cowboy boots and dance the night away when CC & The Boys take the stage on Saturday night. The Magnolia Street String Band performs traditional bluegrass music with hints of country and folk on Sunday. Students from Rockit Academy will also perform on Sunday.

And it just wouldn’t be the Monmouth County Fair without rides! Provided by Campy’s Blue Star Amusements, this year’s lineup combines nostalgia and thrills. Timeless classics such as the swings, a Ferris wheel and a carousel are joined by exhilarating ones including Drop Tower, Ring of Fire and Gravitron. Rides require wristbands. Riders can load credits onto their wristbands or purchase an unlimited rides option. Please note that rides are weather permitting.

Those looking to experience the charm of a traditional county fair should be sure to stop by the Home and Garden Tent. Inside, they’ll find the county’s finest baked goods, vegetables, flowers and arts and craft pieces on display as entries into the Home and Garden Competition. (Details on how to enter are available online at www.MonmouthCountyFair.com.) The tent will also feature beekeeping, gardening and pottery demonstrations.

Fairgoers will also want to stop by the Living History Tent. Staffed by the Park System’s Historic Longstreet Farm, the tent features hands-on demonstrations, music and displays. This year’s theme is Patent Medicine and features the Wahoo Medicine Man Show on Saturday. Park System Naturalists also have a tent which is dedicated to Manasquan Reservoir - Nature in Your Neighborhood. Visitors can take their photo in a life-size eagle nest, walk through a forest and meadow exhibit to experience a Braille Trail, and try their hand at a predator/prey matching toss game.

Be sure to follow the Monmouth County Park System on social media. Upcoming Fair contests will be announced on its Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages, offering an opportunity to win admission tickets and more.

For the most current information about the Monmouth County Fair, visit www.MonmouthCountyFair.com or call 732-842-4000. For persons with hearing impairment, the TTY/TDD number is 711.