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Public Invited to Participate at the 4-H Fair in the NEW OPEN DIVISION just for NON-4-H Youth and Adults!

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Cape May Court House – Do you make your own jelly and jams, crochet, knit, or embroider, or maybe have a passion for painting and taking photographs? Then we are looking for you! The public is invited to participate in the new Open Division for non-4-H youth and adults during the 4-H Fair! Registration for the Open Division will be from 5 to 6pm on Monday, June 13, 2026, in the Lockwood 4-H Youth Center, 355 Court House – South Dennis Road, CMCH, NJ.

The submissions will be judged by official 4-H judges and will be on display for everyone to see during the 4-H Fair, July 16 through July 18 in the Lockwood 4-H Youth Center. Entries will be accepted in the following categories: Home Preserves, Handwork/Sewing, and Art and Photography. Rosette ribbons will be awarded for Best in Show in each category in the adult and youth divisions. The fee to enter is $2 per entry for kids, 12 and under, and $5 per item for adults.

“We are delighted to give talented residents and visitors to Cape May County the opportunity to win a ribbon at the 4-H Fair. We hope everyone who enjoys creating something will participate, young and old, so we can showcase their creations at the 4-H Fair,” said Linda Horner, Cape May County 4-H Program Coordinator.

For additional information about the Open Division at the 4-H Fair, please call 609-465-5115, ext. 3605.

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.
  • 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 CMC Board of Agriculture’s famous Chicken BBQ will be catered this year by Lucky Bones Backwater Grille, Cape May! The cost is $23 per plate. Ticket sales and the dinner line will open starting at 5pm nightly. A limited number of dinners will be sold, so come early and enjoy a new twist on the traditional chicken barbeque dinner at the fair.
  • 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.