Everything To Know About The Monmouth County Fair July 24-28

Looking for some fun the whole family can enjoy? Head to the Monmouth County Fair! Held Wednesday-Sunday, July 24-28, at East Freehold Showgrounds, 1500 Kozloski Road, Freehold, this event features rides, opening night fireworks (weather permitting), live musical entertainment, home and garden competitions, 4-H shows and exhibits and much more.

It offers residents and visitors an array of amusement rides, carnival games, homegrown entertainment, locally grown produce, fair food, contests and more at the East Freehold Showgrounds.

“The Monmouth County Fair is a longstanding, midsummer tradition where generations of families have gathered at the East Freehold Showgrounds to create memories and see what Monmouth County has to offer,” said Freeholder Lillian G. Burry, liaison to the Park System and 4-H Association. “Families are able to enjoy all of the fun amenities of the County Fair while learning about local agriculture and County services available to residents. The Fair maintains the agricultural nature of a traditional county fair with its Home and Garden Competition, petting farm and 4-H animal shows and exhibits.”

“Each summer, everyone looks forward to the latter part of July because of the fun that the Fair delivers,” said Freeholder Director Thomas A. Arnone. “I commend the entire County of Monmouth and its employees for their wholehearted commitment to making the County Fair one of the top choices for summertime fairs in New Jersey.”

Here is what's offered in terms of live music:

The fun kicks off with Start Making Sense, A Talking Heads Tribute Band on Wednesday, July 24 from 8-10:15 p.m. Be ready to dance during this celebration of new-wave art punk of the 80’s with songs spanning this iconic band’s entire career.

The fun continues as The Big House Band takes the stage on Thursday, July 25 at 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. and performs a wide range of genres including rock, pop, Motown and more. Then break out the cowboy boots when Jake’s Rockin’ County Band performs on Friday, July 26 at 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Covering current and old school country music artists, this band is sure to please fans of all ages.

Saturday, July 27 brings performances by students from the School of Rock at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Later that evening, Jobonanno & The Godsons celebrate music that defined the Jersey Shore when they present The Spirit of Asbury Revue at 8 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

The last day of the Fair, Sunday, July 28, brings the bluegrass group Last Whippoorwill to the stage at 12 p.m. and 1:45 p.m.

Besides these terrific musical acts, be sure to catch this year’s other live entertainment acts including Bwana Jim’s Wildlife Show, Robinson’s Racing Pigs, Mutts Gone Nuts, Hell on Wheels, Indian River Olde Time Lumberjack Show, Pirate Cirque-Tacular, and more!

The Fair is open 5-11 p.m. on Wednesday-Friday, July 24-26; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. on Saturday, July 27; and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sunday, July 28. Admission is $8 per person; children 12 and under are free.

Highlights of this year’s event include Hell on Wheels BMX Stunt Show, Indian River Olde Time Lumberjack Show and Pirate Cirque-Tacular.

Returning favorites include Hilby the Skinny German Juggling Boy, Bwana Jim’s Wildlife Show, Mutts Gone Nuts and Robinson’s Racing Pigs. Hilby will once again delight fairgoers with his antics, while Bwana Jim and his unique collection of snakes, gators and creatures will provide thrills during their high-spirited show. Dog lovers should be sure to catch the high-energy canine performance of Mutts Gone Nuts. Then be ready to cheer as Robinson’s Racing Pigs compete for a cookie. Best of all, these acts will be at the Fair all five nights.

And it just won’t be the Monmouth County Fair without rides! Once again provided by Reithoffer Shows, offerings include the Air Race, Music Express, Zero Gravity and other exciting rides. Families with little ones are sure to love the separate Kids Zone Ride Area with Ride Your Dragon, Rockin’ Tugboat, Jumping Jumbos and more.

Be sure to get your fill of rides by taking advantage of ride wristbands. Available daily, these wristbands allow fairgoers to enjoy unlimited rides on any one day. Ride wristbands can be purchased online at Reithoffer Shows’ website (www.reithoffershows.com) for $25 each. Online sales end July 23. Wristbands will also be available for purchase at the Fair for $25 on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday; and $30 on Friday and Saturday. Single ride tickets will also be available daily. Please note that rides are weather permitting.

The Fair gate is open 5-11 p.m. on Wednesday-Friday, July 24-26; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. on Saturday, July 27; and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sunday, July 28. Admission is $8 per person. Children age 12 and under are free. Additionally, free admission is offered to seniors who are 65 and over as well as active military with identification on Sunday, July 28.

Be sure to follow the Monmouth County Park System on social media. Upcoming Fair contests will be announced on its Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages, offering an opportunity to win admission tickets and more. For more information about the Fair, visit www.MonmouthCountyFair.com, or call 732-842-4000.

The Monmouth County Fair is organized and presented by the Monmouth County Park System.