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Cape May Court House – The Cape May County 4-H Foundation, Inc. will hold a special semiquincentennial version of our annual American Flag Retirement Ceremony during the 2026 4-H Fair. The Foundation is honored to host a ceremony for the proper disposal of American flags every year at the 4-H Fair. This year, our 9th Annual Flag Retirement Ceremony will be a solemn event as we join America in celebrating our 250th Anniversary. The public is invited to join us on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at 2pm at the flagpole plaza near the Carol and Ralph Porch 4-H Fair Stage on the 4-H Fairgrounds, 355 Court House – South Dennis Road, Cape May Court House, New Jersey.
The 4-H fair runs July 16, 17, and 18. This year’s theme is “Red, White & Blue Ribbons…Celebrating 250 Years the 4-H Way!”
Ronald Day, USCG Veteran and a CMC 4-H Foundation director, will coordinate the ceremony that includes the Cape May County Sheriff’s Honor Guard presenting colors, patriotic readings, and an explanation of the meaning of the different parts of the flag. A six-piece band, part of the John Walters Band, will provide patriotic music before and during the ceremony. Cape May County Commissioners, other local dignitaries, and representatives of various veterans’ groups from throughout the county, including VFW and American Legion organizations, have been invited to participate in the program.
Linda Horner, Cape May County 4-H Youth Development Program Coordinator, said, “The Flag Retirement Ceremony has become an important way for 4-H members, volunteers and the community to show their patriotic spirit during the 4-H Fair. This year it takes on new meaning as we celebrate 250 years of America.”
According to guidelines established by the National Flag Foundation, one flag is selected to be burned during the ceremony as representative of all flags being retired. The rest of the flags are later incinerated.
Veterans and their families and interested community members are invited to attend the Flag Retirement Ceremony. For more information about that and the 4-H Fair, call 609-465-5115, ext. 3605 or visit https://capemay.njaes.rutgers.edu/4h/fair/.
If You Go to the 2026 4-H Fair…things to know:
- The annual 4-H fair runs July 16-18 at the Cape May County 4-H Fairgrounds, 355 Court House – South Dennis Road in Cape May Court House. The 9th Annual Flag Retirement Ceremony will be held on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at 2pm.
- Admission to the 4-H Fair is free.
- This year’s theme is “Red, White & Blue Ribbons…Celebrating 250 Years the 4-H Way!”
- 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: 3-10pm Thursday, 10am-10pm Friday (All vendors will be open by Noon on Friday) and 10am-10pm Saturday.
- The Board of Agriculture’s famous Chicken BBQ will be catered this year by Lucky Bones Restaurant. Purchase tickets starting at 4pm each day at the fairgrounds. 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 help 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.
