(FREEHOLD, NJ) -- From the roar of the rides to the scent of cotton candy in the air, the Monmouth County Fair pulses with energy while retaining all the charm of an old-fashioned country fair.  Held from Wednesday-Sunday, July 26-30, at East Freehold Showgrounds, Kozloski Road, Freehold, this annual event is presented by the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners in cooperation with the Monmouth County Park System and the Monmouth County 4-H Association.

Each day of the Fair is filled with exciting acts such as Robinson’s Racing Pigs, Bwana Jim Wildlife Show, The Raptor Project, Hilby the Skinny German Juggle Boy, Mutts Gone Nuts, Flying Fools High Diving Show and Aaron Bonk’s Fire, Whips & Danger Tricks.  The Fair will also feature Tommie Turvey’s Stunt Horses & Dogs on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. In addition, there will be strolling entertainment, food, games, and, of course, rides.

This year’s rides will once again be provided by Campy’s Blue Star Amusements and promise to thrill all ages.  Even better, ride wristbands will be available daily to allow fairgoers the chance to enjoy unlimited rides during their visit. The cost per day for a wristband is $25 on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday; and $30 on Friday and Saturday. Please note that rides are weather permitting.  

Each night of the fair brings live music to the main stage. With their infectious high energy, the Amish Outlaws start the fun on Wednesday.  Then The Nerds keep things rocking on Thursday.  Fairgoers will flash back to the eighties with Jessie’s Girl on Friday. The genre-spanning band Coast 2 Coast will get the audience dancing on Saturday night and Sensational Soul Cruisers on Sunday will pay homage to the very best of the sixties, seventies and beyond. Sunday afternoon also offers performances by the students from Rockit Academy.

Those looking for the feel of a traditional county fair should head over to the Home and Garden Competition and see the county’s finest baked goods, vegetables, flowers and arts and craft pieces.  In addition to the displays, there will be beekeeping, gardening and pottery demonstrations.  The Fair also features 4-H animal shows and exhibits, a horse demonstration, and a parade of horse breeds.

Delve deeper into Monmouth County’s agricultural roots by visiting the Living History Tent and meeting with staff from the Park System’s Historic Longstreet Farm. Offering hands-on activities, demonstrations and music, the Living History Tent connects fairgoers with the county’s rich agricultural past.  The Park System also invites fairgoers to visit its tent dedicated to Huber Woods- Dawn to Dusk.  

Other highlights of the Fair include the Monmouth County Firefighter’s Competition at 7:00pm on Wednesday; opening night fireworks at 9:15pm on Wednesday (weather permitting); and a pie-eating contest from 12:30pm-1:00pm on Sunday.   

The Fair is open 4:00pm-11:00pm on Wednesday-Friday, July 26-28; 11:00am-11:00pm on Saturday, July 29; and 11:00am-6:00pm on Sunday, July 30.  Admission is $8 per person; children 12 and under are free.  Veterans and active military with ID also enter for free.  On Sunday, seniors 65 and older and students with ID are free.

Be sure to follow the Monmouth County Park System on social media. Upcoming Fair contests will be announced on its Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages, offering an opportunity to win admission tickets and more.

For the most current information about the Monmouth County Fair, visit www.MonmouthCountyFair.com or call 732-842-4000.  For persons with hearing impairment, the TTY/TDD number is 711.