Main Content
Red, White & Blue Ribbons…Celebrating 250 Years the 4-H Way!
Cape May Court House – Come experience the annual Cape May County 4-H Fair, one of New Jersey’s oldest fairs, on July 16, 17, and 18 at the shady 4-H fairgrounds located at 355 Court House – South Dennis Road in Cape May Court House, NJ. We are joining everyone in our great nation celebrating America’s 250th Birthday with our theme: Red, White & Blue Ribbons…Celebrating 250 Years the 4-H Way! So, come see our patriotic spirit and colors while we showcase 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 Noon on Friday), and from 10am to 10pm Saturday. The grand opening parade and ceremonies will take place at 4pm on Thursday, July 16 and include a special dedication of the BJ Memorial Bench and Rutgers Scarlet Fire Dogwood Trees in honor of long time Cape May County 4-H Agent Betty Jean Webersinn.
The 4-H Fair is a Cape May County tradition, and as American as apple pie! One of the culinary highlights of the 4-H Fair is the annual Chicken Bar-B-Que. We are excited to announce that the popular tradition, sponsored by the Cape May County Board of Agriculture for over six decades, is being catered by Lucky Bones Backwater Grille, Cape May. The cost of the Chicken BBQ is $23 per plate. Ticket sales will start at 4:30pm and the dinner line will open at 5pm each day. A limited number of dinners will be sold, so come early and enjoy a new twist on the traditional chicken barbeque dinner. There are plenty of shaded picnic tables and there are always old friends to catch up with. So, eat your Chicken BBQ at the 4-H Fair or take out to enjoy it later.
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.
The 4-H Fair features a wide array of entertainers. The fair’s headlining events will be Three of a Kind with Derek Warner and the Party Wave Band. Come to the 4-H Fair for dinner and music Thursday, July 16 when Three of a Kind with Derek Warner, a South Jersey based cover band, will perform on the main stage from 5:30pm to 8:30pm. Playing classic rock and country rock favorites, the band promises a dynamic show and a fun sing-along good time.
Come to the 4-H Fair to dance on Friday, July 17 from 5pm to 8pm with The Party Wave Band. The Band has been getting people up on their feet since 1991 with their scintillating performances in virtually every Casino showroom and beach bar in South Jersey. So put on your dancing shoes and get ready to party at the 4-H Fair.
Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday on Saturday, July 18 at the 4-H Fair. Listen to patriotic favorites performed by the John Walters Brass Sextet from 1pm to 2:30pm, before and during, the annual Flag Retirement Ceremony which starts at 2pm at the Flag Plaza.
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 18 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 if they are under the full control of their owner. Please bring water for your animals and vaccination records for dogs and cats.
Make sure to go inside the Lockwood 4-H Youth Center for games and activities, the Herpetology Show, and to see 4-H projects. Plus, this year, see a display of entries received in the new Open Division. From photographs to jelly and jams, crochet, knit, or embroidery items, see the handiwork of the very talented Cape May County Community.
Stop by Irma’s Herb Garden, behind the Lockwood Center, where the Rutgers Master Gardener Volunteers of Cape May County will be answering gardening questions, talking about the herbs in the herb garden, and planting seeds with kids.
Also, new at the fair is a Farm and Food Web Treasure Hunt for kids! Pick up your treasure map at the Family and Community Health Sciences Children’s Garden (in front of the herb garden) and gather up codes as you make your way around the Fairgrounds. When you have recorded all the codes, return to Irma’s Herb Garden for a small prize!”
The AJ Johnson Fun Factory Amusements will be at fair with rides and carnival games. Ride hours will be Thursday, 5 to 10pm wrist bands available, Friday, 5 to 10pm regular prices, and Saturday, 12 to 4pm wrist bands available, 5 to 10pm regular prices.
Tickets are $1.50 each for individual tickets (Rides require 3 or 4 tickets), 20 tickets are $22, 45 tickets are $40, 60 tickets are $50. Wristbands will be offered for $25 each at times indicated. Wristbands are available to anyone of any age. With the wristband you can ride as many rides as you like for as many times as you like during the time specified.
As you can see there is something for everyone at the Cape May County 4-H Fair. See you there on July 16, 17, and 18 at the 4-H Fairgrounds. Feel free to bring your well-mannered, leashed dogs as they are allowed on the fairgrounds. No retractable leashes, please.
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.