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Cape May Court House – One of the culinary highlights of the Cape May County 4-H Fair is the annual Chicken Bar-B-Que. The mouthwatering smell of BBQ chicken will be in the air from Thursday, July 17 through Saturday, July 19, so come to the 4-H Fair hungry. The popular tradition, sponsored by the Cape May County Board of Agriculture for over six decades, features delicious BBQ chicken, vegetables, cranberry sauce, roll and butter, a beverage, and ice cream.
The cost of the Chicken Bar-B-Que is $22 per platter. Tickets will go on sale starting at 4 pm each day in the bar-b-que area on the fairgrounds and dinner will be served starting at 5 p.m. There will be no advance sales of tickets. The Board of Agriculture’s famous Chicken Bar-B-Que sells out quickly each evening, so come early. There are plenty of shaded picnic tables, and there are always old friends to catch up with. Take-out is also available with special parking for easy in and easy out.
The Cape May County Board of Agriculture was started in 1893 to promote the development of agriculture and commercial seafood production, to promote genuine interest on the part of men, women and youth in commercial farming and fishing and to encourage their participation in the development of the highest quality of home and community life. The organization also promotes understanding of mutual problems affecting not only agriculture and marine fisheries, but all phases of our economic and social life. The Board cooperates with the New Jersey Farm Bureau, the State Board of Agriculture, Rutgers Cooperative Extension and the Rutgers University School of Environmental and Biological Sciences.
Funds generated from fundraising events such as the chicken bar-b-que are utilized to offset expenses of the Board of Agriculture, sponsorships are provided to the Cape May County 4-H Youth Development Program, to the local FFA chapter and to individual 4-H youth. Also supported are educational opportunities to board members through the New Jersey Agricultural Leadership Development Program, where members participate in an extensive two-year training program.
“The Cape May County Board of Agriculture is proud to, once again, sponsor the Chicken Bar-B-Que at the Cape May County 4-H Fair – a family tradition,” said Bob Schumann, BBQ Chair, Cape May County Board of Agriculture. “We also invite those interested in joining the Cape May County Board of Agriculture to attend one of our monthly meetings held on the first Wednesday of each month except in July and August,” added Schumann.
See you at the Cape May County 4-H Fair and Chicken Bar-B-Que July 17, 18 and 19 on the 4-H Fairgrounds, 355 Court House-South Dennis Road, CMCH, NJ. For information, call 609-465-5115, ext. 3605 or visit https://capemay.njaes.rutgers.edu/4h/fair/.
If You Go to the 2025 4-H Fair…things to know:
- The annual 4-H fair runs July 17-19 at the Cape May County 4-H Fairgrounds, 355 Court House – South Dennis Road in Cape May Court House.
- Admission to the 4-H Fair is free.
- New this year, well mannered, leashed dogs are allowed on the fairgrounds.
- This year’s theme is “Country Roots & Cowboy Boots!”
- A host of fun events are planned to include live entertainment, amusement rides, carnival games, horse and livestock exhibitions, 4-H club booths and a wide variety of vendors.
- Public hours: 3-10 pm Thursday, 10 am-10 pm Friday (All vendors will be open by 3 pm on Friday.) and 10 am-10pm Saturday.
- The Board of Agriculture’s famous Chicken Bar-B-Que sells out quickly each evening. Get tickets starting at 4 pm each day at the fairgrounds. (No advance ticket sales.) Dinner is served starting at 5pm.
- Limited premium parking is available at the Atlantic Cape Community College campus next door to the fairgrounds for $10. Free parking is available at Cape May County Park and Zoo with air-conditioned shuttle service provided by Fare Free Transportation. Buses are fully handicapped accessible.
- Volunteers are always needed and welcome to assist at the 4-H Fair.
- For more information, please call (609) 465-5115 ext. 3605, visit https://capemay.njaes.rutgers.edu/4h/fair/, like us on Facebook at Cape May 4-H, or on Instagram at cape_may_4h.
The 4-H Youth Development program is part of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station and Rutgers Cooperative Extension. 4-H educational programs are offered to all youth, grades K-13, on an age-appropriate basis, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.
