2024 NJ State Fair Photos

Check out photos from the 2024 NJ State Fair

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Photos by MVanek Photography

NJ State Fair Announces Donations to Several local Non-Profit Organizations

PRESS RELEASE

The New Jersey State Fair®/Sussex County Farm & Horse Show Association is proud to announce that despite some of the worst weather on record for our annual Fair, we were able to donate to numerous local charitable organizations, raise awareness of their service to our communities and provide employment to over 200 local residents during the lead up to and during the Fair.

There was a lot of rain during the Fair, nearly 6 ½ total inches falling on 7 days of the 9-day Fair, equaling over 13% of our total annual average rainfall.  This negatively affected attendance, but our volunteers, staff and vendors persevered.  Fairgoers came out strong, though, on the 2 great weather days, setting records for single day attendance.

Our non-profit spotlight each day helped to raise awareness of several local charitable organizations, and we collected donations for them due to the efforts of our admissions staff and the generosity of our fairgoers.  This year’s non-profit spotlights were Family Promise of Sussex County, the Sussex County Food Pantry, Benny’s Bodega, Project Self-Sufficiency, Ginnie’s House, LTC. Ernest Kosa Scholarship, SCARC, the Weekend Bag Program and Maverick’s Legacy.

Local school groups who helped with parking were also rewarded with donations to their organizations.  Helping us this year were the Newton HS Future Farmers of America (FFA), the High Point Regional HS softball and baseball, Jefferson HS baseball, Sussex Tech football and the Wallkill Valley Regional HS marching band.  Additionally, we contribute annually to the Blue Ridge Rescue Squad and the Branchville Fire Department for the services their volunteers render during the Fair.

In total, the Fair contributed $38,755 to these local non-profit organizations!  In addition, several local non-profits have concession booths at the Fairgrounds, and they reported total proceeds of approximately $200,000.  These organizations included the Frankford Fire Department, the Knights of Columbus, the Newton Rotary, the Branchville Rotary, the Montague Grange, the 4-H Teen Council and the Holy Spirit Orthodox Church.  The annual Fair serves as a terrific fundraiser for these organizations who give back to and truly enrich our communities.

Finally, we’re excited to share that we were asked to collaborate with the promotion of Netflix’s new series Blue Ribbon Baking Championship where bakers from state Fairs across the US face off in an epic baking showdown to win top honors and $100,000.  Danielle Lacopo, who helps in our Conservatory and with social media attended the closing bell ceremony at Nasdaq in Times Square NYC this past Friday 9/6 with Sandra Lee, co-host of the show and Marla Calico, the President & CEO at International Association of Fairs & Expositions. 

Sandra Lee’s remarks were quite fitting, stating that “The Blue Ribbon baking championship is the newest must see show on Netflix, it combines the best in America and the long-standing tradition of our annual state, local and county Fairs, all of them, over a 150 million people attend some sort of Fair annually, generating over $5 billion in revenue and another $10 billion in economic impact within their communities. Many Fairs are the economic engine for their communities, generating jobs, creating opportunities and supporting small businesses and philanthropic organizations. So yes, the Fairs are a big business and investing in them and supporting the businesses that support the Fairs is a smart business move. But the most important business of the state Fair business is creating our own lifelong traditions, facilitating the mosaic of fantastic memories and bringing together our families and our friends of all ages, ethnicities and economic backgrounds, Fairs are part of the fabric of our world.”

Mark your calendars - next year’s Fair will be held August 1^st through August 9^th and preparations are already underway!

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Nasdaq video link: https://shorturl.at/S4WL0

That's a Good Question - We're Glad You Asked...

 

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!

For the 2024 Fair, we open Friday August 2nd at 5pm and will be open 10 AM to 10 PM on weekends/ 12 NOON to 10 PM weekdays through Saturday August 10^th.