New Jersey State Fair® Agricultural Events
Admission to the agricultural events and attractions are included in the price of admission to the fair. These events reflect the agricultural roots of Sussex County. The many shows and exhibits provide an opportunity to view working farm animals up close, market animal competition, and many other farm products familiar to Northwestern New Jersey. Bring the family (and your camera) for an exciting fun filled time learning about farming, the source of our food and many other items that we use in our daily lives.

Fair Souvenir Baskets are available for purchase. Proceeds go to the New Jersey State Fair / Sussex County Farm & Horse Show for improvements of the Agricultural Area of the fair.

The Agricultural Events schedule listed below is subject to change. Neither the NJ State Fair or the Sussex County Farm and Horse Show can be held responsible for schedule changes due to any cause. This scheduled will be updated on a best effort basis so check back again as fair week approaches.

Click here for the 2009 Daily Schedule! 

Daily Fair Parade
There will be a parade every day at 2:00 pm around the Agricultural Area of the fair. The parade starts and ends at Ag Central. Different participants every day!

Greenhouse
Indoor floral and aquatic garden displays; the vegetable show, the flower shows, and educational displays. Check daily schedules for informative lectures and garden tours. Located just inside Gate One. Check Daily Schedule for Greenhouse special events.

• Flower & Garden Expo - Horticulture and Artistic Exhibits
  Professional Division Show - Artistic Displays
  Professional Division Show - Horticulture Displays
  Amateur/Junior Cut Flowers, Outdoors Plants, and Family Garden Displays
  Children's Artistic Displays
  Amateur Artistic Displays
  Amateur/Junior Potted Plants, Cut Flowers, and Master Gardeners Class Displays
  Flower & Garden Expo sponsored by Homewood Suites by Hilton, Dover/Rockaway
  
• Landscape Garden Competition
  Entrance to gardens between Greenhouse and Farm Fun Building
   
• Open Vegetable Show - Sponsored by Saint Clare’s Health System
  "Healthy Cooking with Saint Clare's" - Cooking Demonstration
   Vegetable Show Sponsored by St. Clare's  Hospital.
• Scarecrow Exhibit / Contest
  Scarecrow Building - Theme: Wizard of Oz
  Vote for People's Choice Award!

Richards Exhibition Building
See the  Creative Arts for Home and Hobby (formerly Home Ec) displays including hand crafts and prepared food competition. Daily Honey bee handling demos and local honey exhibits can be found here. Grange and 4-H displays are located here along with information booths. The Sussex County Art Show featuring local artists and the Photography Show are also found here. Check Daily Schedule for Richards Building special events.

Agricultural / Livestock Show Pavillion Highlights

• Livestock Shows  
• Model Horse Show  
• Beef Obstacle Course
• Show-de-oo
• Open Beef Show and Open Sheep Show
• Wood Chopping Competition
  Sponsored by Montague Tool & Supply
• Fiddlers' Contests
  $500 to the 1st prize winner of the Adult Competition!
• Small Animal Barn - Rabbit Show
  Sponsored by Sussex Bank
• 4-H Dairy Goat Show
  Sponsored by the Chocolate Goat Gift Shoppe
• 4-H Market Goat Show
  Sponsored by the Chocolate Goat Gift Shoppe
• 4-H Beef Show, 4-H Sheep Show, 4-H Swine Show, 4-H Rabbit & Cavy Show
  Sponsored by Sussex Bank
• Oxen Demonstration  
• Cow Kids' Show
• Rooster Crowing Contest
• 4-H Market Lamb Show 
• 4-H Dairy Show
• 4-H Prep Fun 
• 4-H Calf Dressing Contest
• 4-H Sheep Dressing Contest
• Color Breed Dairy Show
• 4-H Breeding Sheep Show
  Sponsored by Sussex Bank
• 4-H Goat Fun Show
• 4-H Round Robin Showmanship
• Open Holstein Show
• Dog Obedience Show
  Sponsored by Elenora L. Benz, Attorney at Law
• 4-H Dog Show
  Sponsored by Elenora L. Benz, Attorney at Law
• Small Animal Pavilion - Rabbit Costume Contest
• Open Dairy Goat Show
• 4-H Seeing Eye Dog Show
  Sponsored by Elenora L. Benz, Attorney at Law
• Turkey Calling Contest
• Butterfly Tent
  Sponsored by the Holiday Inn Express of Newton 
• And more! 

Founders Park - Sponsored by Lakeland Bank

RoNetco Shoprite Farm Fun Building
Located next to Landscape Gardens. Free, interactive, hands-on, agricultural experiences for children. Activities include a child safe milking cow, dress a scare crow, a hay bale maze, and much more. A must stop after watching the racing pigs!

Junior Ag Agent Program
A FREE and FUN Scavenger Hunt!
BACK AGAIN THIS YEAR! Pick up your all new questionnaire for 2009 at the RoNetco Shoprite Farm Fun Building. Locate 10 large painted roosters, punch your questionnaire and answer a question about something in the area. When your questionnaire is completed, return to the starting point to receive your Junior Ag Agent Badge and Certificate. A great “together” activity for children and parents while touring the agricultural area of the fair! Come out to the fair and earn your 2009 Badge.
Note: Groups of 10 or more are requested to call 973-948-5500 with name of group, number in group, the day and approximate time of arrival.

Livestock Barns
Beef and dairy cattle, goats, sheep and swine. Animal Story Time: 11 am Barn 5 - Sheep Story Time; 1 pm Barn 6 - Rabbit Story Time; 2pm Barn 4 - Swine Story Time; 3pm Barn 3 - Goat Story Time.

Barn 6 (Small Animal Barn)
See daily displays of Poultry, Rabbits, Cavies, and other small animals. The 4-H Rabbit and Cavy shows are also held here as well as the Open Poultry Show. The Space Farms exhibit and the American Livestock display are also located here. Check Livestock Barn Schedule for other farm animal locations by day.

Rare Heritage Breed Tent
Located near the rest rooms. This year's exhibit includes breeds of farm animals raised by early settlers of Northwest New Jersey. These animals were bred for their hardiness and ability to live in the rugged early American farm terrain. Informative literature about early agriculture in America will be available. Check the Livestock Barn Schedule above for other farm animals. 

NOTE: Volunteers needed to baby sit the animals in this tent. If you would like to help, call John Haftek at 973-875-6072

Snook Agricultural Museum - Antique Farm Equipment Museum
Located next to the Livestock Show Pavilion with an expanded antique tractor display. Many antique farm machines are on display that have been restored to operating condition by the North Jersey Antique Engine and Machine Club. A Victorian parlor and an old farm kitchen are on display. Try some fresh roasted peanuts made in an antique peanut roasting machine or sample the milk, ice cream and stick candy sold at the old country store. See daily schedules for special demonstrations during fair week.

Farmland Dairies Milking Parlour
Located on the Midway next to Livestock Barn 1. Milking demonstrations are held daily. Check sign at the milking parlour for times.

Jersey Fresh Tent
Located in front of the Greenhouse next to the Farmer’s Market. Free samples of Jersey Fresh Dairy products are offered daily . See Daily Livestock Area Schedule for the featured product of the day.

Farmers Market
Located in front of the Greenhouse, local farm products are available for purchase. This is an opportunity to buy fresh off the farm products from Sussex County.

Robinson’s Pig Paddling Porkers
“Swimming” Racing Pig Show! Watch for pigs swimming for treats. Frequent races every day, located in the Family Entertainment Area. Check the clock at the location for for next “swim meet.” Races are also announced over the Fair Public Address System.

Make & Take Ice Cream Sundaes
Sponsored by Edy's Grand

Oxen Demonstrations
Demonstration of Oxen as used on the farm before there were tractors. Look for the Oxen in the Livestock Pavilion, Outdoor Entertainment Area, and around the fairgrounds when there is time and space. Times of shows will be announced on the Fair Public Address System. The oxen can be found in the livestock tent at other times.

Turkey Calling
Agricultural / Livestock Show Pavillion. A National Wild Turkey Federation Event