For Immediate Release:
July 17, 2015
Made in Monmouth
to headline County Fair
County to offer info, ‘Touch A Truck’ and more
FREEHOLD, NJ – Next week, the Monmouth County Fair will once again have us enjoying fresh produce, locally made goods, blue ribbons, home-grown entertainment and amusement rides. 
Fairgoers will get right into the local flavor of the Fair when they pass through the Jersey Fresh produce and Made in Monmouth tents just after they enter the Fair gate between July 22 and 26.
“We are very excited to provide fairgoers with the opportunity to shop local and see some of the amazing products produced right here in Monmouth County,” said Freeholder Thomas A. Arnone. “Made in Monmouth is a successful shop local initiative that is playing a larger role at the Fair this year.”
The County’s Economic Development team has scheduled Made in Monmouth vendors for every day of the Fair. The vendors will be featuring items such as artwork, jewelry, baked goods and bath and body products that are all made in Monmouth County.
Monmouth County government will also be showcasing its many programs and services at the 2015 County Fair with its “Touch A Truck” display, Sheriff’s Ident-A-Kid program and lots of County information during all five Fair days at East Freehold Showgrounds on Kozloski Road.
“The ‘Touch A Truck’ exhibit put together by the Department of Public Works and Engineering will be back and give children of all ages an opportunity to experience what it’s like to sit behind the wheel of some of the County’s heavy duty equipment that keep our roads in good shape,” said Arnone.
Fairgoers will have an opportunity to see and touch a fire truck, road sweeper, bucket truck and a dump truck outfitted with a snowplow. Children will also be able to control traffic signals as part of this interactive display of real public works equipment.
The Monmouth County Fair is presented by the County Park System in cooperation with the County 4-H Association. The Fair maintains the agricultural nature of a traditional County Fair with its Home and Garden Competition, petting farm and 4-H animal shows and exhibits.
“For the past 41 years, the Park System and the 4-H Association have combined efforts to put on a mid-summer extravaganza,” said Freeholder Lillian G. Burry, liaison to the Park System and 4-H Association. “Fairgoers can see the chickens, rabbits, pigs, goats, sheep, cows and horses that are cared for by the 4-H Association youth. In taking responsibility for the animals year round, these youngsters represent the future and viability of our agricultural community – we should all support their efforts.”
County staff will be handing out information, giving demonstrations and answering questions. An entire tent, located just inside the Fair’s front entrance, is dedicated to resources from various County departments including: Consumer Affairs, Health, Human Services, Brookdale Community College, Care Centers, Workforce Development, Library System, Public Information and Tourism.
“Monmouth County is proud of the variety of services it provides to the community,” Freeholder Director Gary J. Rich Sr. said. “The County Fair is a great way for residents to look at what we do, how we do it and meet County staff. I hope everyone can visit this year’s County Fair and meet with County staff and pick up the latest information on the services available to them.”
“There are some great things planned for every Fair day,” Freeholder John P. Curley said. “The Fair reminds us of an earlier time in the County and helps us enjoy some truly great American traditions – blue ribbons, a pie-eating contest and amusement rides.”
“Even if residents do not make it to the County booth at the Fair, they can always access many of the same resources on the County’s website,” Freeholder Deputy Director Serena DiMaso said. “The website provides 24-hour access to County information and services.”
The Fair runs Wednesday through Sunday, July 22 to 26. The Fair gate is open 5 to 11 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday (July 22-24), from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, July 25 and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, July 27. The Fair is held at East Freehold Park Showgrounds on Kozloski Road, between Routes 33 and 537 in Freehold Township. Admission is $8 per person. Children 12 and under are free at all times. For more information on the Monmouth County Fair, visit
www.visitmonmouth.com or call 732-842-4000.
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Made in Monmouth Vendors
Wednesday, July 22
Beach Haven Handbags (tote bags)
Good to be Gluten Free (Gluten free baked goods)
High Strung (guitar string jewelry)
Holly Jolly Jam (jams and jellies)
Jersey Girl Barefoot Sandal (barefoot sandals)
Pleasant Valley Lavender (lavender products)
Rustic Wrapsody (tile strikers, leather wrapped jewelry)
Scrumptious Scrubs (handmade bath and body)
Sea You Again (beach themed jewelry)
Thursday, July 23
Blue Mare (pottery)
Good to be Gluten Free (Gluten free baked goods)
High Strung (guitar string jewelry)
Jersey Girl Barefoot Sandal (barefoot sandals)
Pleasant Valley Lavender (lavender products)
Prime Products, LLC (ice packs)
Scrumptious Scrubs (handmade bath and body)
Sea You Again (beach themed jewelry)
Friday, July 24
Barbara's Cookie Pies (gourmet cookies)
Barlows (plants and flowers)
Big Spoon Little Spoon (handmade bath and body)
DorDesign (sustainable home décor)
Jersey Plate Art LLC (recycled license plate art)
Pleasant Valley Lavender (lavender products)
Prime Products, LLC (ice packs)
Silver Boss (silver jewelry)
Susan Fairgrieve (art prints, jewelry, stationery)
Saturday, July 25
Barbara's Cookie Pies (gourmet cookies)
Barlows (plants and flowers)
Big Spoon Little Spoon (handmade bath and body)
Holly Jolly Jam (jams and jellies)
Jersey Plate Art LLC (recycled license plate art)
Keyport Collars (dog collars and jewelry for people)
Prime Products, LLC (ice packs)
Sea Ginny's Beach Jewelry (sea themed jewelry)
Susan Fairgrieve (art prints, jewelry, stationery)
Sunday, July 26
Barlows (plants and flowers)
Big Spoon Little Spoon (handmade bath and body)
Bruce Perlmutter (hand carved wooden items)
DorDesign (sustainable home décor)
Good to be Gluten Free (Gluten free baked goods)
Noteworthy (hand drawn and colored note cards)
Rustic Wrapsody (tile strikers, leather wrapped jewelry)
Silver Boss (silver jewelry)
Susan Fairgrieve (art prints, jewelry, stationery)
That's How I Knot (Macramé jewelry)