Monmouth County Fair Starts Wednesday

FREEHOLD, NJ – Looking for some fun and excitement? Head to the Monmouth County Fair, which kicks off tomorrow, Wednesday July 26! Opening night brings the Monmouth County Firefighters Association’s Hose & Ladder Competition at 7 p.m., performances by the Moroccan Sheepherders at 8:15 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., and fireworks at 9:15 p.m., weather-permitting.

Here's everything you need to know about the 2017 Monmouth County Fair, including hours, prices and the schedule of nightly entertainment:

Where/when: The Monmouth County Fair runs Wednesday-Sunday, July 26-30, at the East Freehold Showgrounds on Kozloski Road in Freehold. The Fair gate is open 5-11 p.m. on Wednesday-Friday, July 26-28; 3-11 p.m. on Saturday, July 29; and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sunday, July 30. Admission is $8 per person. Children age 12 and under are free. Parking is free.

What: The fair features rides, opening night fireworks, live musical entertainment, home and garden competitions, 4-H shows and exhibits and more. Highlights of this year’s event include World of Wonders & Escape Explosions, Hell on Wheels, Mutts Gone Nuts, Robot Ranger “Royale” and Hilby the Skinny German Juggling Boy.

There will be plenty of returning favorites including Bwana Jim’s Wildlife Show and Robinson’s Racing Pigs. See Bwana Jim and his unique collection of snakes, gators and exotic creatures during this educational and high-spirited show. Then be sure to catch the racing pigs as they compete for a cookie amid cheers and squeals from the crowd. Both Bwana Jim’s Wildlife Show and Robinson’s Racing Pigs will be at the Fair all five nights.

Once again, the fair rides are provided by Reithoffer Shows and will feature a separate Kids' Zone Ride Area that’s perfect for younger children. Families and little ones will enjoy the Hero Zone, Speedway, Circus Train and more. Those looking for excitement should check out the Air Race, Wild Claw and Zero Gravity.

Compete: Calling all bakers, gardeners and crafters! Enter the 2017 Monmouth County Fair Home & Garden Competition and see if you have what it takes to bring home a blue ribbon. Download the Home & Garden Competition Brochure (PDF) and find out how to enter this exciting competition.

Throughout the Fair, the Monmouth County 4-H will be hosting contests, animal shows, demonstrations, and a quilt raffle. Fairgoers in grades K-13 are invited to take part in the 4-H’s Open Youth Fun Day and the 4-H Open Youth Pet Show. The 4-H Open Youth Fun Day starts at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 27; registration starts at 5:30 p.m. The 4-H Open Youth Pet Show starts at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 30; registration starts at 11 a.m. For more information about these 4-H events, please call the 4-H office at 732-431-7260, ext. 7264.

In all the excitement of the Fair, be sure to get a bite to eat. There will be plenty to choose from including Empanada Guy, Delicious Orchards, Sweet Carolina BBQ, Tasty Trolley, and Freehold Jersey Freeze. Fair vendors from Country Candles, Kitchen Magic, Pete Airbrush, Scentsy, Tastefully Simple and The Tooth Fairy will be selling their goods among many others! Stop by the Made in Monmouth tent and discover a variety of goods available from local businesses. Then purchase some of the freshest, local produce in the area at the FFA Farm Stand.

Wristbands now available daily: Be sure to get your fill of rides by taking advantage of ride wristbands. Now available daily, these wristbands allow fairgoers to enjoy unlimited rides on any one day. Ride wristbands can be purchased online at Reithoffer Shows’ website http://reithoffershows.com/buy-mega-pass for $25 each. Online sales end July 25. 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.

Nightly music schedule: From local favorites to rising stars, each night the Fair features live music on the main stage:

Wednesday, July 26: The fun kicks off with the Moroccan Sheepherders on Wednesday at 8:15 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Loose and improvisational, the band takes classic covers and originals to another dimension with their primal, tribal vibe.

Thursday, July 27: Jackson Pines takes the stage on Thursday at 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Led by singer-songwriter Joe Makoviecki, this indie folk band recently released its album Purgatory Road.

Friday, July 28: The talented young musicians from Lakehouse Music Academy perform at 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

Saturday, July 29: Things really heat up when local artist Nicole Atkins brings her rich, throaty voice and blend of pop and indie-rock songs to the stage on Saturday night at 8:15 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Her fourth studio album (release date July 21), "Goodnight Rhonda Lee," is described as a vintage soul album inspired by legendary artists like Dusty Springfield, Candi Staton, Roy Orbison and Janis Joplin.

Sunday, July 30: Then The Chuck Lambert Band brings the blues to life on Sunday at 12 p.m. and 1:45 p.m. Incorporating modern electric blues with more traditional forms, The Chuck Lambert Band is sure to deliver an unforgettable time.

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 in cooperation with the Monmouth County 4-H Association.

All photos were provided to Patch by the Monmouth County Park System.