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Cape May Court House – Come experience the annual Cape May County 4-H Fair, one of New Jersey’s oldest fairs, on July 17, 18, and 19 at the shady 4-H fairgrounds located at 355 Court House – South Dennis Road in Cape May Court House. This year’s theme is Country Roots and Cowboy Boots! So, we will be a little bit country while showcasing our 4-Hers projects and accomplishments. Plus, enjoy traditional fair activities and a variety of vendors that will make the 4-H Fair the place to be in July.
Admission to the 4-H Fair is free and there are a host of events planned, live entertainment, amusement rides, pony rides, carnival games, livestock and horse shows, and more.
Limited premium parking is available at $10 per car at the Atlantic Cape Community College campus, located next door to the fairgrounds. Free parking is at the Cape May County Park and Zoo with free, air-conditioned shuttle service to the fair provided by Fare Free Transportation. Buses are comfortable, air-conditioned, and fully handicapped accessible.
Public hours for this family friendly event are 3 to 10pm on Thursday and from 10am to 10pm on Friday (all vendors will be open by 3pm on Friday), and from 10am to 10pm Saturday. The grand opening parade and ceremonies will take place at 4:00pm on Thursday, July 17. New this year, well mannered, leashed dogs are allowed on the fairgrounds. No retractable leashes, please.
The 4-H Fair is a Cape May County tradition that offers Chicken Bar-b-que sponsored by the Cape May County Board of Agriculture. The famous Chicken Bar-b-que will be served starting at 5pm nightly. The cost is $22 per platter and tickets will go on sale starting at 4pm each day on the Fairgrounds. There will be no advance sales of tickets. The 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.
4-H Fair favorites include livestock and equestrian shows, a hog and lamb market auction, and a variety of vendors with delicious food and interesting items. For our youngest fair visitors, pony rides will be available plus a children’s discovery area with a lineup of fun activities.
This year’s 4-H Fair features a wide array of entertainers. The fair’s headlining events will be Jimmy and the Parrots and the Fabulous Greaseband. Get ready for a trip to the islands! From the Caribbean to cities all over the US, Jimmy and the Parrots have been playing Jimmy Buffet’s music to delighted crowds for more than 20 years and will be performing for fairgoers on Friday, July 18 from 7 to 10pm.
The Fabulous Greaseband will take the main stage on Saturday, July 19from 7 to 10pm. The seven-member Rock ‘n’ Roll Party Band will play the best of the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s.
Enjoy your Chicken Bar-B-Que and all the great fair food on Thursday, July 17 while listening to Country and Western hits with Musician Derek Warner from 6 to 9pm.
And, if you want a chance to win a full year’s supply of pet food, check out the popular Pet Show at the 4-H Fair, sponsored by Smeltzer & Sons Feed & Pet Supplies on Saturday, July 19 at 10am on the main stage. It only costs a $1 per class entry to participate and is open to both children and adults. The public is invited to attend, and anyone can participate, even if you are not a 4-H member. Any kind of pet is welcomed as long as they are under the full control of the owner at all times. Please bring water for your animals and vaccination records for dogs and cats.
Also, on Saturday, please plan to attend the solemn Flag Retirement Ceremony at 2pm at the Flag Plaza. All veterans and interested community members are invited to attend.
Make sure to go inside the Lockwood 4-H Youth Center for games and activities, the Herpetology Show, to see 4-H projects and to cast your vote for your favorite work of art. The Art Show is open each day with winners announced on Saturday, July 19 at 4pm on the Main Stage on the 4-H Fairgrounds.
The AJ Johnson Fun Factory Amusements will be at fair with amusement rides and carnival games. So come and ride the Round Up, the Slide, the Swing, Tubs of Fun, a Train Ride, a Fun House, a Roller Coaster, the Airplane, a Moon Bounce, and more. Ride hours will be Thursday, 5 to 10 pm with discount wristbands available, Friday from 5 to 10 pm, and Saturday, 12 to 4pm with wristbands available, and then from 5 to 10 p.m. Individual tickets cost $1.25 each., 20 tickets are $20, 45 tickets are $40, 60 tickets are $50, and wristbands will be offered for $25 each at times indicated and are available to anyone of any age.
As you can see there is something for everyone at the Cape May County 4-H Fair. See you there on July 17, 18, and 19 at the 4-H Fairgrounds.
For detailed information about the 4-H Fair, including a schedule of all events, please visit https://capemay.njaes.rutgers.edu/4h/fair/ or call 609-465-5115, ext. 3605.
The 4-H Youth Development program is part of Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cape May County. 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.
