Inevitably,
every year someone poses the question about why there is an admission fee for
the annual New Jersey State Fair®/Sussex County Farm & Horse Show. Where does the money go? What do you get in return for your admission
to the Fair?
We’re
glad you asked. If you’re interested in
knowing, please read on.
It
might be helpful to first look at our Mission Statement:
- Showcase New
Jersey’s agriculture
- Provide safe,
family-friendly entertainment and engaging educational activities
- Promote youth
development
- Provide support
to charitable non-profit agencies
How
do we accomplish this mission? Our
annual Fair is an incredible mosaic of dedicated volunteers who work all
year long in their area of interest. From
creative arts home and hobby exhibit volunteers to 4-H Cow Kids, and from
barrel racing horses to demolition derby competitors, the annual Fair has
something for everyone, and it means something to many of us and our neighbors.
We
are a private non-profit organization governed by a board of volunteer Directors. We receive no government funding. There is a very small staff of permanent
employees who keep the fairgrounds running through the off-season, maintain the
grounds and facilities.
Numerous
other community non-profits, like our Fire Department, the Boy Scouts and some
local Rotary Clubs, all look forward to the annual Fair as their major source
of fundraising – which in turn benefits our communities.
As
an agricultural Fair, we’re proud to serve as the annual showcase of New Jersey’s
agriculture, from honeybees, flowers and vegetables to sheep, goats, pigs, cows
and more. For some fairgoers this may be
the only opportunity to see farm animals up close and for our farmers, it’s an
opportunity for their livestock to be professionally judged. We have the Snook Agricultural Museum on the
grounds and each year we offer agricultural education programs to area schools.
Putting
all this together with a fun and safe atmosphere including a carnival and games
and a grand assortment of Fair food isn’t easy and it certainly isn’t inexpensive.
Each
fair we budget about $150,000 so that we can offer FREE entertainment every day
of the Fair, from Diving Dogs to Pig Races, Fire Dancers to Chainsaw Wood
Carvers all FREE with your admission. In
the Franklin Sussex Automall Outdoor Entertainment Area – FREE with your
admission - fairgoers can enjoy Tractor Pulls, Motocross Stunt Shows and Wood
Chopping Contests. There is always
something happening at the fair. Our
Planet Networks Performing Arts Tent is also chock full of outstanding
entertainers from the Annual Queen of the Fair contest, Battle of the Bands,
community Talent Show and other outstanding entertainers, from rock bands to polka
– all FREE with admission.
The
cost of tent rental, security, law enforcement, traffic control, parking, equipment
rental and electrical costs easily exceeds a million dollars. We also pay for sanitation, and staff for
admissions and helping fairgoers with information and offering scooters and
wheelchairs for rent. We look forward to
seeing our loyal fair staff return to work during the fair each year, and we
enjoy hearing about how our local businesses see a boost from visitors to the fair.
With
the help of our generous sponsors, we’ve been able to keep the price of
admission very low for all that’s offered, and it is even more affordable if
you buy advance tickets. We’re proud to have
held this Sussex County tradition for over 80 years we look forward to it for
many more generations to come. Thank you
for reading and we hope to see you and your family at the Fair!
We
open Friday August 5th at 5pm and will be open 10 AM to 10 PM
Saturday August 6th through Saturday August 13th.
