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Cape May Court House – Mark your calendar to come and bring your pet to the Pet Show, sponsored by Smeltzer & Sons Feed & Pet Supplies, at 10am on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at the Cape May County 4-H Fair for a chance to win a supply of pet food for an entire year. The event is open to the public and anyone is invited to participate, even if you are not a 4-H member.
Wouldn’t it be great to win free food for your pet for an entire year? Just think what you can do each week with that extra money! Register your pet for this year’s Pet Show at the 4-H Fair – it only costs $1 per class entry and is open to both children and adults.
No matter what makes your pet unique, the Pet Show, held on the main stage on the Cape May County 4-H Fairgrounds, is the place for them to showcase their talents. All four-legged, furry, scaly, and feathered pets, big, small, and unusual, and the people who love them are invited to enter. Check-in starts at 9am and the show will begin at 10am. All cat and dog owners are asked to bring current rabies vaccination certificates for their animals and plenty of water for them to drink.
Children and their pets can enter any one of the five categories including: dogs, cats, furry pets, all others, and all pets. Within those categories, there are 10 different classes that participants can enter including longest tail, longest whiskers, smallest critter, and most unique. There is also an adult category for anyone 18 and over that consists of three classes: most beautiful eyes, best trick, and best costume.
Linda Horner, 4-H Youth Development Program Coordinator, said, “We are excited to, once again, have Smeltzer & Sons Feed & Pet Supplies sponsor our pet show and award one lucky winner a free supply of pet food for an entire year.” Horner added, “Besides being a great time and a favorite activity for our visitors, the purpose of the pet show is to provide an informal opportunity for people to get acquainted with 4-H.”
The pet show is all in fun, so while you won’t see any formal classes or divisions, you will see classes for cats with best fur, dogs with the best trick or the friendliest animal. Any unusual pets are allowed as long as they are under the constant control of their owners. Again, the cost to enter the pet show is just $1 per class. Ribbons will be awarded in all classes. Best in Show trophies will also be awarded in each division. The Grand prize, given out to the best all-around winner, is free pet food for one year from Smeltzer & Sons.
For more information on the Pet Show, please call 609-465-5115, ext. 3617.
If you go: The Pet Show will take place on Saturday, July 18 at the main stage on the 4-H fairgrounds, located at 355 Court House – South Dennis Road in Cape May Court House. Registration begins at 9am and runs until 10am. The cost of entry is $1 per class. You are welcome to attend with your pets, but please be mindful of the summer weather and make sure both animals and their handlers are well hydrated and dressed comfortably. Children under five-years-old can have an adult help them during the pet show. Enjoy the 4-H Fair after the Pet Show as well mannered, leashed dogs are allowed on the Fairgrounds.
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.
