The 81st annual New Jersey State Fair Sussex County Farm & Horse Show will run from Friday, Aug. 4 to Sunday, Aug. 13. The 10-day event will feature old fashioned attractions which include racing pigs, a petting zoo, carnival rides and a Queen of the Fair Pageant.
AUGUSTA -- Ewes bellowed at each other, the ferris wheel lifted its passengers to the clouds and the smell of freshly popped kettle corn hung in the air. Just a regular day at the New Jersey State Fair Sussex County Farm & Horse Show.
The 81st annual event kicked off on Friday at the Sussex County Fairgrounds, and will run through Sunday, Aug. 13.
The old fashioned, family friendly state fair offers attractions and novelties including racing pigs, a petting zoo and a Queen of the Fair Pageant. The event also has monster truck rides, demolition derbies, motocross and BMX shows.
Anthony Bernabe, of Franklin, said this was the first time he's been to the Sussex County Farm & Horse Show. Although he's been to the State Fair Meadowlands, the annual event is simply too crowded, Bernabe said. Besides his young daughter, Gaia, can't get enough of the petting zoo, he said with a smile.
The Craft Tent has vendors selling a plethora of items including traditional English toffy, leather belts, an assortment of jewelry and handmade goat's milk soap and lotion.
Nancy Weiss, owner of Loveywear, a customized clothing and accessory brand, said this is the second year she rented a booth at the Sussex County fair. Because of her success last year, and the inexpensive cost to rent space, Weiss will be selling her Swarovski-studded goods during the entire 10-day event.
The Xpogo Stunt Team held a pop-up demonstration on Saturday as well. The two athletes competed for hoots and hollers from the crowd, battling with backflips and a high jump that was set at 7 feet.
The #Xpogo Stunt Team was flying high at the #NewJersey State Fair Sussex County Farm & Horse Show in Augusta on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/ZLxi1j0cvd
-- David J. Del Grande (@SLOSONE) August 5, 2017
The American Quarter Horse Association, the world's largest horse breed registry and membership organization, will host showmanship demonstrations in English and Western classes from Aug. 4-6.
The few highlights of the A rated horse show include: a $35,000 Sussex County Grand Prix, a $7,500 Hall of Fame Jumper Classic, a $5,000 Rost Memorial Jumper Stake and a $5,000 USHJA National Hunter Derby. The USHJA National Hunter Derby competition will be Wednesday, Aug. 9, the Jumper Classic and Rost Memorial Jumper is set for Thursday, Aug. 10 and the Grand Prix is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 12.
Monster truck rides are $7 each, and are offered every day from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. A demolition derby will be held on Saturday, Aug. 6 and Monday, Aug. 7 starting at 7:30 p.m.
The carnival is open from noon to 10 p.m. every day. Carnival games are $5 each and rides for both children and adults are based on a credit system. A flat rate of $25 for unlimited rides are available Monday, Aug. 7 to Thursday, Aug. 10 and Sunday, Aug. 13, with varying times for each day.
The fair is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day, but on Sunday, Aug. 13 fair hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
General admission tickets are as follows: adults, $14; children, $6; seniors (60+), $10; military veterans with proper IDs, free. Group pricing and Mega Passes are also available, and parking is always free.
For additional information visit the Sussex County Fairgrounds Facebook page, or newjerseystatefair.org.
David J. Del Grande may be reached at ddelgrande@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SLOSONE. Find NJ.com on Facebook.