39th Annual Monmouth County Fair - July 24-28

There is something magical about entering the Fair gates every summer. The aroma of salty popcorn and sweet funnel cake wafting through the air. The contagious laughter echoing from both young and old as they play games and enjoy amusement rides. The applause as they experience a thrilling show or musical act. And the smiles as they discover something new under a tent.

To some the Monmouth County Fair will be a brand new adventure this year. And for others, attending the Fair is a family tradition offering new experiences to behold every visit. And there's not a doubt that whether it's your first time or your tenth, this year's Fair will offer everyone something fun, exciting, and exceptional.

• All New Amusement Rides: This year's rides are sure to bring laughter, thrills, and excitement to all ages. Don't miss out on wristband nights! Pay just $20 per wristband (available Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday) and ride as many rides as you'd like!
• Exciting Entertainment: Ready for some thrills? In the Adventure Zone on Wednesday-Friday you'll get your fill with exciting shows that include E3 Skateboarding Stunt Show, "Hell on Wheels" BMX Stunt Show, and Fere Motorcycle Thrill Show. But that's not all! Step back in time to the days of knights on Thursday-Sunday in Show Ring 2 where you can watch the armor clad knights of Paragon Jousting charge one another with their lances leveled.
• Delightful Animals: What would an agricultural fair be without animals? Be sure to stop by the 4-H tent to view all of their beautiful animals, from rabbits to goats and roosters to horses. Bwana Jim's Wildlife Show is always a hit for all ages, exhibiting a wide variety of animals including snakes, alligators, owls, and hawks. Stop by Show Ring 1 to check out the Racing Pigs Wednesday-Sunday as well as Sheep Herding Demonstrations Thursday-Sunday. On Saturday pet lovers won't want to miss Pet Zone where you can meet some of the horses of Sunnyside Recreation Area, watch the County Sheriff K-9 Unit Demonstration or Kountry K-9 Show, learn about Seeing Eye Puppy Training, and much more!
• Jersey Grown Produce: Veggies and fruits and flowers, oh my! Ask any New Jersey native and they'll tell you, there's nothing better than fresh, locally grown Jersey produce! All new this year, the Monmouth County chapter of Future Farmers of America will host a farm stand offering fresh vegetables, fruits, and cut flowers for sale at the Agriculture Tent. They'll also have antique tractors on display and a fun, veggie themed mini-golf game for kids.
• Plants, Artwork, Crafts & More: If you appreciate gardening, art, or a variety of crafts, be sure to stop by the Home & Garden Tent. Entries to our Home & Garden competitions will be on display as well as demonstrations that include pottery, egg carving, quilting, canning, decorative painting, rug hooking, and more. A schedule of demonstrations and exhibitors can be found in the Fair Schedule Brochure. Interested in entering an item in one of our competitions? Check out the Home & Garden Competition Brochure for details.
• Learn More About Your Parks: Visit the Park System tent to learn about fun in the parks off the beaten path. Visit the Living History Tent for a step back in time with demonstrations such as butter making, embroidery, knitting, woodworking, and more.
• Rev Your Engines: The Auto Zone is the place to be on Sunday! You'll get the opportunity to view amazing cars and trucks ranging from antique autos to race cars. Children can get in on some racing action with the Pinewood Derby (buy your derby car in advance at any hobby store or pay $5 at the Monmouth Council Boy Scouts Fair booth). Free kids races and an obstacle course will also be available.
• Move to the Music: There's nothing better than adding some dancing to your evening. This year's Fair is jam packed with amazing musical acts:

• Wednesday at 8:15pm & 9:30pm - The Benjamins
• Thursday at 8:30pm & 9:30pm - Brian Kirk and the Jirks
• Friday at 8:30pm & 9:30pm - Amish Outlaws
• Saturday at 8pm & 9pm - DaddyPop
• Sunday at 12pm & 1:30pm - 1910 Fruit Gum Company

These are just SOME of the exciting things you can include in your visit to this year's Monmouth County Fair. There will also be Opening Night Fireworks (weather permitting), Touch-A-Truck, delicious food, firefighter competition, the Nature Zone, and so much more! Check out our full schedule to plan your visit.

The Monmouth County Fair will take place Wednesday-Sunday, July 24-28 during the following hours: Wednesday-Saturday from 5-11pm and Sunday from 11am-6pm. Tickets are $7 per person; children 12 and under enter free. Seniors and active military members enter free on Sunday, July 28. The Monmouth County Fair is organized and presented by the Monmouth County Park System in cooperation with the Monmouth County 4-H Association. For additional information, visit www.monmouthcountyfair.com or call 732-842-4000, ext. 4312.

Be sure to visit our Facebook page this week and click "Fair Trivia Contest" for your chance to win a Fair prize package. Contest ends July 18, 2013. (You must "like" our page to enter; contest not available on smart phone devices.)

Fun and Safe Holiday Weekend!

With the Independence Day holiday weekend at our door, everyone is looking to enjoy outdoor fun with family and friends. But it's important with the summer heat and humidity to keep everyone healthy and safe no matter where you're headed. Here are some important tips to keep in mind this upcoming beautiful weekend:

• Protect your skin. The summer sun may make it a great time to enjoy swimming, the beach, and other outdoor fun, but protecting yourself from the damage the sun's rays can cause is extremely important.
• It is recommended to use a sunscreen that has an SPF of at least 15 and one that clearly says on the label that it is "broad spectrum" and protects from both UVA and UVB rays. Be sure to apply sunscreen every 2-3 hours, especially after swimming or if you're sweating a lot.
• And don't forget your lips, they're sensitive too! Lip balms or creams with SPF should be used as well.
• Protect your head, neck, ears, eyes and scalp by using a hat with a wide brim.
• Sunglasses with UV ray protection can prevent eye damage from the sun that may cause cataracts.
• A tip from WebMD - "The shadow rule: A shadow that is longer than you are means UV exposure is low; a shadow that is shorter than you are means the UV exposure is high."
• Stay hydrated. Did you know that the average adult loses more than 10 cups of fluids each day? It's important to keep our bodies hydrated so we keep having fun all day long. 
• Signs of dehydration include thirst, dry mouth, headache, dizziness, weakness and muscle cramps. 
• You can easily avoid dehydration during this summer heat by drinking plenty of fluids (especially water) and eating foods that have a high fluid content such as watermelon, grapefruit, apples, and lettuce (to name a few). 
• Some drinks actually work as diuretics, causing your body to lose water. Avoid caffeinated beverages like soda, coffee or tea as well as alcoholic drinks while out in the hot sun.

Now that you're prepared for some fun in the sun this holiday weekend, check out some fun things to do with your Monmouth County parks:

• Independence Day Celebration at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel. Join the staff on July 4 from 12-3pm as we celebrate with games and contests. Free.
• Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness at Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold. Celebrate the Fourth of July in our 1776 setting as you tour the beautiful grounds and try your hand at writing with a quill pen. Free.
  
• Hit the beach at Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park, Long Branch! Enjoy some fun in the sun at this popular park. Amenities include snack bar, sheltered eating areas, volleyball area, outdoor showers and changing areas, guarded swimming, designated areas for surfing, and Tony's Place (a universally accessible playground for children of all abilities). Guarded swimming hours are from 10am-5pm daily. Weekday admission fees are $7 for individuals 18 years old and over; those 17 and under are free. On weekends and holidays, the fee is $7 for individuals 13 and over; those 12 and under are free. The cost of a daily parking pass is $7. Season beach badges and parking passes are available for purchase.
• Cool off at the Sprayground nestled within Dorbrook Recreation Area, Colts Neck. This water-enhanced playground is great for children to beat the heat and play with water. The Sprayground opens at 10am on weekends and holidays and 11am on weekdays. The Sprayground closes at 7:30pm.
  
• Discover the critters that live in Sandy Hook Bay with our free Summer Seining program at Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth. From 11am-12pm every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday through August 23, Park System staffers pull a seine net through the waters of the bay to allow visitors to view what's living there this summer. This program is great fun for families; no groups please. Swimming is not permitted at this beach location.
• Relax on the calm waters of Marlu Lake this weekend! Canoe rentals will be available at Thompson Park, Lincroft, this Saturday & Sunday, July 6 & 7 from 9am-3pm. Cost is $15 per boat for 1-3 people for 2 hours. Boat rentals (fee) are also available at Manasquan Reservoir, Howell (kayaks and rowboats) as well as Turkey Swamp Park, Freehold (kayaks, canoes and paddleboats). 

These are just some of the fun things you can enjoy in your Monmouth County parks this weekend. Be sure to check out This Weekend in the Parks for additional programs and events. The staff at the Park System wishes everyone a safe and happy Independence Day and summer!

We Want to Hear from You!

For some it's watching their children release energy on the playgrounds. For others it's lacing up their sneakers and hitting the trails. And many love to partake in the thousands of programs the Park System offers every year. Whatever it is you enjoy about the parks, we'd like you to show us.

The Park System is currently running a Spring Video Contest through Facebook which gives our amazing visitors an opportunity to not only tell us what they love about the parks, but to also win a 2013 Monmouth County Fair prize package. The prize package includes the following: family four pack of tickets to this year's Monmouth County Fair; a behind the scenes tour of the fairgrounds; four free passes to the climbing wall; a family welcome announcement and an opportunity to be a guest announcer; and a commemorative photo of you and your family at the Fair.

Entering the contest is easy. Get out your video camera or smartphone and create a video of you and/or your friends/family in one of your favorite parks showing us why you love spending time in the parks (must be one of the Monmouth County Park System parks). When you've completed your video, upload it to YouTube and then fill out the entry form on our Facebook page to enter (you must "like" our page to enter the contest). Entrants have from now until Friday, June 20 to enter the contest. Beginning Saturday, June 21 through Friday, July 5, our Facebook fans will have the opportunity to view the videos and vote for the one they like best. The one with the most votes will be chosen as the winner. Be sure to check out the entry form for full guidelines and rules.

Looking for some tips?

• Get creative! Do more than just stand in front of the camera, show us all the fun you have in the parks.
• Bring family and friends into the mix. If you normally enjoy the parks as a group, get everyone involved to make your video something special!
• Pick a great location at your favorite park. Choose the park that you visit the most, and also pick the best location within the park that represents what you love. If it's the playgrounds, make the playground your backdrop; if it's fishing, choose one of the picturesque lakes.
• Have fun! Your video doesn't have to be overly serious. Bring in some music, add a few props, or just be silly. Everyone's experiences in the parks are different, but they're always about fun.

So head out to the parks and get those video cameras rolling! If anything, this contest is about you, our visitors, who love to make us part of their day. We can't wait to hear from you!

May Spotlight: Naturalist Division

Park System Naturalist Chris Lanza during a 
Park System fossiling program.

At the Monmouth County Park System we pride ourselves on offering programs that will introduce you to new hobbies, new skills or send you on an adventure. But we're also about bringing nature and the environment into your life by offering locations to learn about the natural world through exhibits or by interacting with staff. The Park System's Naturalist Division is staffed by a knowledgeable team that is prepared to answer questions and always on the look out for amazing nature finds throughout the year.

Staff at the Bayshore Waterfront Park Activity Center, Huber Woods Environmental Center and Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center are dedicated to the natural environment that surrounds us and the animals that inhabit it. Each season they provide programs that will educate children and adults about animals, insects, habitats, Native American ways of life, and more! Exciting and fun programs available this May include Blackfish Cove Kayak Adventure, Celebrate World Turtle Day, and Creatures of the Fishing Pier. Naturalists have also created a wide variety of group programs available for school and community groups that promote awareness, understanding, and stewardship of our natural history and environment.  

Park System Naturalist Sam Skinner takes his role 
as our "Roving Naturalist", leading free nature walks through 
various parks throughout the year.

When they're not creating fun and educational programs for children and adults alike, Park System Naturalists are staffing their locations to offer nature interpretation to visitors. Have questions about a bird you spotted on a trail? Wondering what animals live in the reservoir? Interested in learning about the creatures of the Sandy Hook Bay? Our Naturalists are prepared to answer all of your questions.

Summer Camps Offer Adventure, Fun, Friendship and so Much More!

When you're a kid the best thing about summer is having fun with friends and enjoying the warmth of the season (and no school of course!). There's no better way to ensure your children have the best summer ever than by enrolling them in summer camps that fit their interests. This summer the Monmouth County Park System's Camp/Swim Program Directory has over 150 summer camps to choose from all of which are geared towards giving your child an exciting summer. Don't think we have something your child will enjoy? Check out some of these awesome new camps:

• Avengers Assemble! (entering K-2): If your child loves superheros, this camp is sure to be a blast! With games that will have campers outrunning the Flash in Speed Ball, assembling armor like Iron Man, or crawling through Spiderman's obstacle course, kids will love being just like their favorite superheros!
• Camp Woof (entering grades 6-8): If your child and dog have a great bond, they'll get a kick out our first camp that lets them play together! Together they will make friends, play games, splash in the kiddie pool, and learn basic skills on becoming a responsible dog owner and well mannered pooch.
• Explorers Club (entering grades 5-8): A week of exploration is in store as campers venture into woods, wetlands, and rivers in search of wildlife and fossils. We'll visit the animals of the Cape May Zoo, challenge ourselves on the ropes course at Thompson Park, try our hands at archery, and so much more!
• Extreme Adventure Odyssey (entering grades 8-12): Get ready for an adventurous week as we experience camping, "real rock climbing", a zip flyer, Segways, and so much more! You'll soar to new heights with this exciting teen camp.
• Grow, Harvest, Eat! (entering grades 3-4): There's something amazing gained when children learn about where the foods they eat come from. Together campers will tend a camp garden, harvest the produce and prepare simple recipes. They will also visit community gardens and local farms to learn about produce that is locally grown.
• Just 4 Girlz (entering grade 6-8): Does your daughter love her magazines? Campers will become reporters, writers, researchers, editors, columnists, photographers, and publishers, all while creating their own versions of their favorite girls magazines. This is a great opportunity for girls to build a vision around all the subjects important to them.
• Nightfall Nature (entering grades 4-6): This evening camp will allow your child to enjoy the mysteries of the night while hiking, fishing, kayaking, playing games, and exploring. These evening adventures are sure to bring a totally different summer camp experience.

These new camps are just a sampling of what we have to offer your child this summer. From arts & crafts to horticulture, fashion to farm life, equestrian to sports, and nature to odyssey adventures, there truly is a camp out there to suit any interest! And don't forget swim lessons!

Registration for children's summer camps and swim lessons begins:
Sunday, March 10:
Register online starting at 12noon or by phone at (732) 842-4000, ext. 1, from 12:00-4:00pm.
After March 10 you can register:

• Online 24/7
• By phone at (732) 842-4000, ext. 1, Monday through Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm
• By mail using the form in the back of the Camp/Swim Program Directory
• In person at Thompson Park Headquarters in Lincroft

Do you have a child with special needs who would love our camps? Call us at (732) 460-1167, ext. 24, to discuss what we can do to make your child's summer camp experience safe and exciting.

Make your child's summer an experience they'll never forget!