Something for Everyone at the Morris County 4-H Fair
Come visit the Morris County 4-H Fair
July 25 - 27, 2008!
The
38th Annual Morris County 4-H Fair opens at the Fairgrounds at Chubb
Park in Chester on Friday, July 25th at 9:30 A.M. and runs till
9:30 P.M.
Interested in Amusement rides? Though the rides are open all weekend from 9:30
A.M., to 10:00 P.M. on Friday and Saturday and from 9:30 A.M. till 4:00 P.M. on
Sunday, Fairgoers can participate in a special Pay-One Price deal on Friday
only. From 10 A.M. to 12 noon on Friday, there will be a special $8
Pay-One-Price offer for Kiddie Rides followed later on by a special $20
Pay-One-Price deal from 6:00 P.M. till 10:00 P.M. The afternoon Pay-One-Price
ride tickets are scheduled to go on sale at the amusement ride ticket booth at
5:00 P.M. on Friday.
Come and enjoy the food, particularly the 4-H Chicken BBQ and Kids Meal prepared for you by Morris County 4-H volunteers. Other community organizations will be selling other edible treats such as hot dogs, hamburgers, sausage and peppers, cheese steaks, pizza, funnel caked, and delicious home-made cookies.
Changing family life styles over the past 30 years have modified the 4-H fair,
but it still keeps its county-fair atmosphere. Now that Morris County is
no longer primarily an agricultural community, Fair activities encourage
children and adults to link with the past through hands-on activities that are
fun and educational. The “Farmer for a Day” activity, located in the Petting
Barn, gives children the hands-on experience of picking apples, collecting eggs
and digging for potatoes. Fair-goers may also pet a calf, sheep and goat
after exploring the hay maze. And if you are interested in things that are
cold blooded, the Petting Barn also hosts the Herpetology Exhibit and Show.
Master Gardeners from Rutgers Cooperative Extension will be on hand to answer
home owner’s gardening questions.
All three days of the Fair offer exciting events. Each day the
Entertainment Tent, Coffeehouse and Fun Station are loaded with great music
groups and interactive entertainment. Those who are interested in
interacting with a pony may ride one throughout the weekend at the Pony Rides.
Visitors are welcome to hop on over to the Small Animal Tent and pet the many
rabbits, baby chicks, and other small animals while listening to the
presentation on Rabbit, Cavy and Small Animal Care. Stick around a while
and see a goat milking demonstration just inside of the Small Animal Tent.
Don’t forget to shop at the Children’s Country Store for plants, second hand
games, toys and books. There is so much to do at the Morris County 4-H
Fair. Here are some highlights of each day’s events.
Friday:
Bright and early Friday morning Morris County 4-H Horse club members aim to please. Starting at 9:00 A.M. members of the Hoofin’ Around 4-H Horse club will be participating in a special horse event called ‘Games on Horseback’ located in the Horse Ring, just off to the right of the Horse Tent. Visitors may also take a ride on the Hay Ride opening at 9:30 A.M. then march on over to the Coffee House to catch a show with ‘Fire Fighter Phil and Friends’ at 10:00 A.M. ‘Earth Capades’ sponsored by the MUA also kicks off at 10 A.M. in the Entertainment Tent as does a Model Airplane Flying Demonstration by the Pond.
Fair-goers interested in learning about different types of ‘Horse Feeds’ should visit the Horse Tent at 10:00 A.M. then stick around for a presentation on ‘Different Types of Hay’.
At noon the Fair has many different activities to offer. Starting in the Horse
Ring there will be an exciting demonstration by the Sheriff’s K-9 Unit while Dr.
Paul Sedlacek, DVM takes on fair-goer’s animal questions in the Dog Tent during
‘Ask a Vet.’ ‘Tattle Tales’ the story teller weaves entertaining children’s
stories in the Entertainment Tent while ‘Scott Hallock’ plays for the
Coffeehouse crowd. Fairgoers can get their faces painted by ‘Kandy Kane’ the
Clown before catching a show by ‘Mr. Brian and the Boppets’ at 1:30 P.M. in the
Entertainment Tent followed immediately by the ‘Fabulous Furry Harmonica
Brothers’ in the Coffeehouse.
Interested in helping out a worthy cause? Then why not donate blood! Visit the Blood Mobile parked in the Lower Field from 3:00 P.M. till 8:00 P.M. After donating check out the Horse Ring and watch a Draft Horse Driving Demonstration at 3:30 P.M. before running over to the Coffeehouse for a performance by ‘Chuck Winch’ at 3:45 P.M. Next at 4:00 P.M. Washington Township DARE will happily entertain younger fair-goers and their parents with an exciting puppet show. Come watch 4-H and other Morris County youth compete in the Talent Show at 5:30 P.M. then watch to the Ironia Reelers square-dancing group at the Coffeehouse at 6:00 P.M. Stick around for the Morris County 4-H Fair Opening Ceremonies in the Horse Ring, scheduled to begin at 7:30 P.M. Before leaving the Fair for the night don’t forget to visit the Entertainment Tent to view its’ last band ‘Swerve’ perform.
Saturday:
Though the Fair officially opens its’ doors to the public at 9:30 A.M. on Saturday, the 4-H Dog Show begins at 9:00 followed immediately by the 4-H Seeing Eye Show in the Dog Tent Show Area. The Poultry Show begins at 11:00 A.M. under the Small Animal Tent. Come find out how a chicken and a duck are judged. Fairgoers and their pets might just be onlookers at the Dog Show but they too have a chance to ‘show off’. The ‘Dress-A Pet/Dress-A-Cage’ Show beginning at 12:00 P.M. just outside of the Small Animal Tent is open to the public on a first come first serve basis. Interested fairgoers can bring their ‘dress up pet or cage’ to the Fair and register at the 4-H Information Booth on Saturday before the Show. Forgot your pet? Participate in the Watermelon Eating Contest or visit the Entertainment Tent and listen to songs performed by the Victoria Warne Band.
The Canine Good Citizen Test at 1:00 P.M. is
another fun way fair-goers and their four footed friends can participate. They
just need to bring their pup, the testing fee of $10, a dog brush, and a 6 foot
leash. ‘Narrow Escape’ will also be performing
in the Coffeehouse. Fair-goers interested in testing their horse knowledge
should watch the 4-H horse club members compete in the Horse Bowl at 1:30 P.M.
then visit the Small Animal Tent at 2 P.M. and to watch the Rabbit Show followed
immediately by the Small Animal and Cavy Shows. Youngsters interested in
decorating a cake can participate in the Cake Decorating Contest. Visit the
Information Booth and Fun Station ahead of time to sign up and pay the entry
fee.
‘Eco del Sur’ heats things up at the Entertainment Tent at 3:45 P.M. followed by ‘Tapping the Grey Sky.’ Tickets go on sale at 4:30 P.M. for the Tricky Tray scheduled to begin promptly at 8:00 P.M.
Sunday
‘Mike Esposito’ starts the show off in the Coffeehouse while the Chester Fire Department puts on a demonstration in the Lower Field. Both events begin at 10:00 A.M. At 11:00 A.M. in the Dog Demo Area Morris County 4-H’ers will be competing in a Rally-O Dog Show. Meanwhile, over in the Small Animal Tent, small animal 4-H club members will be testing their animal knowledge in the Small Animal Bowl competition.
‘Wick School of Irish Dance’ will be showing off their dancing skills in the Entertainment Tent at noon followed by ‘Nobody’s Business’ at 1:00 P.M. Also at noon, visit the Fun Station and participate in a Watermelon Eating Contest. Don’t forget to register ahead of time at the Information Booth and Fun Station. While fair-goers register themselves for the Watermelon Contest they can also register their pet to compete in the Open Pet Show scheduled to begin at 12:30 P.M. in the Horse Ring. Registration will also be available at this time for those interested in participating in the Cake Decorating Contest at 2:00 P.M.
Watch 4-H’ers from across the state compete in the Seeing Eye Dog Quiz Bowl
starting at 1:00 P.M. under the Dog Tent or visit the Lower Field instead and
watch a Model Rocket Launch. ‘NJ Martial Arts Academy’ will happily show off
their moves to any onlooker at 2:00 P.M. in the Horse Ring. Before the Morris
County Fair closes at 4:00 P.M. fair-goers should make sure they visit Closing
Ceremonies at 3:00 P.M.
For more information about the 4-H Fair, 4-H clubs, or about becoming a 4-H volunteer or member, visit the 4-H Association website at www.morriscounty4h.org or contact the 4-H office at (973) 285-8300 ext. 3 or 4HMORRIS@AESOP.RUTGERS.EDU. All 4-H programs are offered to all youth, grades 1-13, on an age-appropriate basis without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, or disability.
