Keyport Firemen’s Fair Postponed Due To Nesting Birds

KEYPORT, NJ - One of the Bayshore’s most popular summer traditions has been postponed in light of an unexpected obstacle - two nesting ospreys.

As ospreys are a threatened species in the state of New Jersey - making it illegal to make loud sounds or disturb active nests - officials have been forced to delay the annual Keyport Firemen’s Fair due to a nest at the Firemen’s Park location.

“We are deeply disappointed to announce that, due to the osprey nest in Firemen's Park having fledglings in it and the logistics involved in moving the fair to a new location, we are not going to be able to have the fair in July,” reads a statement from the event Facebook page.

According to fair officials, stakeholders are looking into potentially hosting the fair in the late summer once the birds have left the nest. The Asbury Park Press reports that fair officials are actively pursuing a permit to build a platform and move the birds through New Jersey’s Division of Fish and Wildlife.

The publication further reports that the fair, which typically sees thousands of visitors in its weeklong residency, serves as a major fundraiser for local volunteer ladder companies, drawing in about $40,000.

“We are working with state and local officials and our vendors,” the statement read. The fair’s 50/50 drawing will still be held on July 17.