Come to the Cape May County 4-H Fair July 20, 21 and 22

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE – Come experience the annual Cape May County 4-H Fair, one of New Jersey’s oldest fairs, on July 20, 21 and 22 at the cool and shady 4-H Fairgrounds located at 355 Court House – South Dennis Rd., Cape May Court House. The 4-H Fair has free admission each day for visitors to enjoy all the activities, exhibits and entertainment. Public hours for this family friendly event are noon to 9 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday. 
New additions to this year’s fair include a series of fascinating “Tent Talks,” short, hands-on lectures that connect the general public to local experts in a variety of backyard agricultural topics such as three-sisters Native American gardening, backyard chicken husbandry, medicinal herbs, worm composting, bee keeping and beach plum growing. The talks are designed for those interested in starting a new backyard hobby and will take place next to Irma’s Herb Garden and the Children’s Discovery Farm. A schedule of the talks is available at cmc4h.com or by calling (609) 465-5115 ext. 3605.
A patriotic Flag Retirement Ceremony will be held on Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Carol and Ralph Porch 4-H Fair Stage. Local veterans’ groups and dignitaries will lead a public ceremony to retire American flags properly. Everyone is welcome.
The Children’s Discovery Farm has added baby goats, alpacas, horse shoeing demonstrations and a “Three Sisters” teepee to its lineup of activities designed for our youngest fair visitors, along with antique pedal tractors and regular “Life on the Farm” fun. The first 300 visitors eight and under will receive a commemorative “Life on the Farm” book where they can insert photos of themselves busy on the farm.
Old fair favorites feature the return of “The Carver” chainsaw carver all three days, with exhibitions of carving skill and auctions of his work. The Antique and Classic Car Show will be held on Saturday. Horse and livestock shows, an expanded Maker Space, farmers’ market, bouncy houses, 4-H project exhibits, vendors with delicious foods and interesting items and live local entertainment are only some of the activities that round out a wonderful family experience.
The famous Chicken Bar-B-Que begins at 5 p.m. nightly with fresh flounder added on Friday and Saturday nights. Get your tickets beginning at 4 p.m. each evening before they are sold out, and enjoy your dinner in the shade while listening to live entertainment on the fairgrounds’ Carol and Ralph Porch 4-H Main Stage.
Get drenched with color at the third annual 4-H Color 1 Mile or 5K Fun Run on Saturday, July 22 at the fairgrounds. Registration starts at 8 am at the beginning of Betty Jean Lane with the race beginning at 8:30 a.m. The first 100 people to pre-register with payment will get a color run medal with their $10 registration. Call (609) 465-5115 ext. 3605 now. Families are welcomed.
And, if your child wants a chance to win a full year’s supply of pet food, check out the popular Children’s Pet Show, sponsored by Smeltzer & Sons Feed & Pet Supplies on Saturday at 10 a.m. on the main stage. You do not need to be a 4-H member to participate. All children are invited to bring their favorite dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, rodents and other unusual pets for many fun classes, including costumes and pet-owner look-a-like contests. Ribbons will be awarded in all classes. Best in Show trophies will be awarded in each division and the grand prize is one year’s supply of pet food from Smeltzer & Sons. The entry fee is $1 per class. Registration begins at 9 a.m. Current rabies vaccination certificates or tags are required for all dogs.
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 a.m. 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 2017 4-H Fair is partially sponsored this year by the Cape May County Beach Plum Association, promoting Cape May County’s official fruit – the beach plum. Be sure to visit their tent for beach plum tastings and locally grown beach plum products.
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. 3605 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.