The annual Cape May County 4-H Fair runs July 21 – 23 at the 4-H fairgrounds located at 355 Court House – South Dennis Road in Cape May Court House. Public hours for the fair are noon to 9 pm Thursday and Friday and from 10 am to 10 pm on Saturday. Admission is free and there is a host of fun, family-themed events Thursday through Saturday.
The 4-H Fair welcomes Knockerball as a brand new family fun activity. Climb inside a large plastic sphere and do battle with your friends in the Knockerball ring. This year, the Mountain Bike Stunt Show with championship rider and stunt bicyclist Mike Steidley is back by popular demand for two days. Performances will take place Friday at 2 pm and 5 pm and on Saturday at 1 pm and 5 pm.
Get drenched with color at the second annual 4-H Color Fun Run on Saturday, July 23 at the fairgrounds. Registration starts at 8 am at the beginning of Betty Jean Lane with the race beginning at 8:30 a.m. Register in advance at (609) 465-5115 to get a Color Run Medal. Registration is $10 per person.
The popular Children’s Pet Show, sponsored by Smeltzer & Sons Feed & Pet Supplies, will take place on Saturday, July 23 at 10 am on the main stage of the fairgrounds. All children are invited to bring their favorite dogs, cats, rabbits and other unusual pets for many fun classes, including costumes and pet-owner look-a-like contests. Trophies, gift certificates or ribbons will be awarded in all classes. The entry fee is $1 per class. Registration begins at 9 am.
Check out the expanded Maker Space with even more robots and cutting edge technology and our six inflatable bouncy houses including the Pirate Ship and the Water Slide. Kids will also love the pony rides and exploring the Children’s Discovery Farm. A must stop is the photo booth where kids can strike a pose with miniature horse Willow and take a “Touch, Taste and Smell Tour of Irma’s Herb Garden. Returning this year, the Fair Farmers’ Market connects residents and visitors to local farmers and their delicious fruits, vegetables and flowers.
The fair features horse and livestock shows, a brand new Monarch Butterfly Garden, 4-H project exhibits and many vendors with delicious foods and interesting items. The famous Chicken Bar-B-Que begins at 5 pm nightly with fresh flounder added on Friday night. Get your tickets beginning at 4 pm each evening before they are sold out, and enjoy your dinner in the shade while listening to live entertainment on the fairgrounds’ main stage.
Parking is available for free at the Cape May County Technical High School with free shuttle bus service to the fairgrounds starting at noon on Thursday and Friday and 10 am on Saturday. Buses are comfortable, air-conditioned and fully handicapped accessible. Look for parking signs at Exit 11 East off the Garden State Parkway.
Limited premium parking is available at the Atlantic Cape Community College campus, located next door to the fairgrounds, for a suggested $5 donation.
The 4-H Youth Development program is part of Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Cape May County. Volunteers are always needed to assist at the 4-H Fair. Please call (609) 465-5115 ext. 605 for more information. Learn more about the Cape May County 4-H Youth Development Program and the 4-H Fair at the 4-H Foundation website cmc4h.com
Photo: Cape May County 4-H members attend the June 28th Meeting of the Board of Chosen Freeholders and invite them to come to the Annual 4-H Fair on July 21, 22 & 23
Kneeling, left to right: Maysen Gibboni, Annabella Halbruner, Freeholder Will Morey, Kate DiGilio, and Kathleen DeGenova
Standing, left to right: Freeholder Leonard C. Desiderio, Freeholder E. Marie Hayes, Jessica Pikolycky, Emily DeGilio, Alexa DiPalantino, Mackenzie Doughty, Victoria McCann, Freeholder Kristine Gabor, Victoria Matt, Elise Heim, and Freeholder Director Gerald M.Thornton