New Jersey's State Fair: July 31 - August 9, 2009
Drawing roughly a quarter of a million people from all over the Northeast and beyond, the New Jersey State Fair, known for many years as the Sussex County Farm and Horse Show, has already been picked as one of the top one hundred events in North America by the American Bus Association, and a star attraction by the National Geographic Travel magazine. A real country fair, the home pride of generations worked closely with the land is everywhere to be seen: in the good food, good works, and good times that are the true bounty and community of the rural, agricultural heritage of Sussex County. The fair's roots extend back to 1821, and the annual Sussex County Horse Show took place in ever-expanding form in Branchville from 1936 to 1976, when the fair moved to new grounds on a 150 acre dairy farm on Plains Road in Augusta.
Visitors
enjoy the tremendous agricultural exhibits for which the Fair is famous.
Animals are everywhere you look - from a bee and honey display to the
barns at the livestock exhibitions, in the horticultural exhibits and
contests, and in the Horse Show Ring.
The Show is the largest livestock event and AHSA sanctioned festivity in New Jersey, with horses of all kinds; from workhorses to the sleekest thoroughbreds. In addition to the Horse Show all week you can see racing pigs, racing turtles, a llama show, woodchopping contests, arts & crafts shows, a performing arts tent, a queen pageant, and more, more, more!
You'll
taste food whose recipes hail from the heart of rural New Jersey or from
just about anywhere in the world. All of the various waves of immigrations
that have built the state of New Jersey bring good things to these tables!
Every member of the family will love this remarkable event. Groups and motor coaches are welcome. Parking is free. Adults $11, Children $5, Under 5 free. Reduced advance tickets are available. Rt. 206 & Plains Rd.. There are specials all week long. Check their website.
The Sussex County Fairgrounds are located on Plains Road in Augusta, between Newton and Branchville. Information: 973-948-5500, or website.
2009 Events at Sussex County Fairgrounds
- July 11-July 12. SUSSEX POWWOW NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE CELEBRATION. The Red Hawk Indian Arts Council presents the largest Native American Festival in New Jersey, an annual gathering of over 1000 Native Americans from across the continent to share their history, art, music, dance, and traditions. Traditional cuisine includes buffalo burgers, wild rice, venison stew, corn soup and fry bread. Crafters from the Sioux, Navajo, Winebago, Cherokee and Mohawk nations exhibit carvings, pottery, beadwork, jewelry and leather work . There are also exhibits, a mechanical bull-riding contest, a petting zoo and pony rides. 11am - 8pm. $12/ $6 children and seniors.
- July 31-August 9. NEW JERSEY STATE FAIR / SUSSEX COUNTY FARM AND HORSE SHOW. Where Farm Meets Fun! NJâ'S Largest Agricultural Fair. This ten day event features agricultural events and education, animals, exhibits, horse shows, carnival, petting zoo, vendors, craft tent, flower and vegetable shows, art, photography, 4-H, chainsaw artist and auction, fair food, free entertainment and much more! So much fun, in fact, we built a whole website to share it! Visit WWW.NEWJERSEYSTATEFAIR.ORG Fair admission: $11, children $5, seniors $9, Under 5 free. Specials all week..
- August 1-August 9. NEW JERSEY STATE FAIR / SUSSEX COUNTY FARM AND HORSE SHOW. Where Farm Meets Fun! NJâ'S Largest Agricultural Fair. This ten day event features agricultural events and education, animals, exhibits, horse shows, carnival, petting zoo, vendors, craft tent, flower and vegetable shows, art, photography, 4-H, chainsaw artist and auction, fair food, free entertainment and much more! So much fun, in fact, we built a whole website to share it! Visit WWW.NEWJERSEYSTATEFAIR.ORG Fair admission: $11, children $5, seniors $9, Under 5 free. Specials all week..
- August 14-August 16. GARDEN STATE APPALOOSA HORSE SHOW.
- September 13. IRISH AMERICAN FESTIVAL.
- October 3-October 4. GARDEN STATE APPALOOSA HORSE SHOW.
- November 8. VETERAN'S DAY PARADE.