Farm Fair Kicks Off Wednesday

Freeholders Dedicate New Fairgrounds
This past weekend, county freeholders dedicated the new Burlington County Fairgrounds in Springfield Township.

Freeholder Director Bruce Garganio broke the first ceremonial ribbon aboard a tractor, leading a parade of tractors onto the site. The cutting of a second ribbon—across the wide entry to the site—was joined in by all in attendance.

For decades, the Farm Fair has been a regular happening on the Village Green in Lumberton, but has become “squeezed” in recent years by increasing population and traffic, not to mention its own offering of exhibits and activities, according to a release from the county.

Working with the Burlington County Farm Fair Association, freeholders identified the 640-acre sod farm off Route 206 (at Jacksonville-Jobstown Road) as an ideal replacement, and purchased the property, which had faced potential residential development, in 2004 for $4.5 million.

The purchase was—and still is—the largest acquisition the county has ever made. Sixty acres have been earmarked for the fairgrounds, which will also host equestrian, 4-H and other events throughout the year.

The remaining major portion of the property will remain as open space, and is destined to feature an expansive network of trails sometime in the future.

The 2011 edition of the Farm Fair is expected to get underway this Wednesday, July 20, and run through Saturday, July 23. The Farm Fair Association will hold its own ceremonial opening on Wednesday.

Fair organizers have clung to traditional agricultural displays, contests, and events over the years, but have also incorporated new and exciting attractions.  This year, for the first time, a tractor pull competition, scheduled for Thursday, is expected to draw crowd attention. 

For more information on the Farm Fair, call 609-784-8369 or visit burlingtoncountyfarmfair.com/site. 

County to Hold Sock Hop 
County freeholders are sponsoring an old-fashioned sock hop at at Historic Smithville Park from 7 to 10 p.m., Saturday at $5 per person.

The retro-dance is being held at Smithville in conjunction with the New Harmonies Traveling Smithsonian Exhibit on display in the Smithville Mansion Annex Art Gallery through July 26. An informal dance typically held in a high school gym or cafeteria, the “sock hop” became popular in the 1950s when dancers were required to remove their shoes and dance in their socks to prevent wood floors from being scratched.

Participants are invited to BYOP (Bring Your Own Party). Bring your own food and beverage. Tables and chairs will be provided, or bring a blanket and set up a picnic in the park. (No grilling, please.)

For more information about the Sock Hop, call 609-265-5858, or go to co.burlington.nj.us.

The sock hop will take place rain or shine under the park’s event tent. Space is limited.