2016 Ocean County Fair Opens Wednesday

Berkeley, NJ — In 1947, the Ocean County Board of Agriculture decided it was time to celebrate.

Its cranberry industry was thriving. Its poultry industry was ranked eighth in the nation.

"The total annual agricultural income of the county topped $12 million in 1946," according to a history of the Ocean County Fair, posted on the county fair's website.

In the 70 years since that first celebration — a one-day "Ocean County Field Day" held at Ocean County Park in Lakewood that drew about 500 attendees — the fair has grown and changed. It continues to celebrate the county's agricultural heritage, with 4-H exhibits of a variety of poultry and other animals, to horseback riding competitions, a K-9 exhibition and more. It draws nearly 60,000 visitors each summer for the now five-day event.

The fair, which opens Wednesday, moved to its current location, at Robert J. Miller Airpark in Berkeley Township, in 1982, a move that not only made it more centrally located in the county but also provided for more space for amusements and rides, more parking and more exhibitors.

Pig races have become a favorite staple of the fair in recent years, and this year's fair has those again.

The fair also has a stellar entertainment lineup, including the popular group the Amish Outlaws (Wednesday night); a comedy hypnosis show (Saturday night); and the country band After the Reign, which hails from Monmouth County (Friday night).

There will be horse riding competitions in both English and Western style riding, bull riding (Friday night) and a corn hole competition on Thursday, for those who enjoy the popular lawn game (you can get a registration form to participate by clicking here). Registration is $20 per team, and cash prizes will be awarded.

Both horse shows are open competitions as well. Registration information can be found here.

In addition to the 4-H exhibits of animals, there is a robust 4-H schedule that includes bunny-hop competitions, a poultry costume contest, a reptile show and a rooster crowing competition. Check out the 4-H schedule here.

If your favorite part of the fair is the midway, the rides and games are back again to thrill riders young and old. Don't forget to grab a funnel cake as you meander the grounds.

Admission to the fair is $7 for anyone age 10 or older. Children younger than 10 get in free.

Robert J. Miller Airpark is on Route 530, five miles west of the Garden State Parkway. Take Exit 77. Coming southbound, turn left off the exit ramp onto Double Trouble Road; at the traffic light turn right and go 5 miles to the airpark. Coming northbound, take Exit 77 and turn left at the traffic light at the end of the exit ramp onto Route 530; go under the Parkway and proceed to the airpark.

The fair is open Wednesday and Thursday, 5-11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m.-11 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. The preliminary weather report says there's a slight chance of rain Wednesday evening, but the remainder of the week should be clear and pleasant in the evenings.

A young girl takes a look at a goat at the 2015 Ocean County Fair. Karen Wall photo