2018 Monmouth County Fair Starts Wednesday

FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP, NJ – It's that time of year again: Time for pig races and live music, car shows and wildlife shows and all the carnival rides and food delights that make summer special.

It's time for the annual Monmouth County Fair, which opens Wednesday at the East Freehold Showgrounds.

The annual fair will have its 4-H shows and exhibits, carnival rides, live music and entertainment.

Fireworks are scheduled for opening night.

The fair will include things such as the Wheel of Destiny, Great Hula Hoop, performances by the Hell on Wheels BMX Stunt Show, the red Mustang Robo Car and Hilby the Skinny German Juggling Boy.

Back for another year are favorites such as Bwana Jim’s Wildlife Show, the unique collection of snakes, alligators and exotic creatures for an educational and high-spirited show. Robinson’s Racing Pigs will steal your heart as they compete for a cookie while they speed around the track amid cheers and squeals from the crowd. Then catch the tricks and skills of the high-energy canine performers of Mutts Gone Nuts.

Bwana Jim’s Wildlife Show, Robinson’s Racing Pigs and Mutts Gone Nuts will be at the fair all five nights.

The fair rides provide fun for both younger children and older ones as well. A separate Kids Zone Ride Area that’s perfect for younger children with the Circus Train, Bumble Bees, and Wiggle Worm, but thrill riders will find their favorites as well.

Ride wristbands are available daily allow fairgoers to enjoy unlimited rides on any one day. Purchase them online (through Tuesday) for $25 each at the Reithoffer Shows’ website, www.reithoffershows.com. At the fair you can buy them for $25 on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday. The wristbands are $30 on Friday and Saturday. Single ride tickets will also be available daily. Please note that rides are weather permitting.

The fair gate is open 5-11 p.m. on Wednesday-Friday, July 25-27; 3-11 p.m. on Saturday, July 28; and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sunday, July 29. Admission is $8 per person. Children age 12 and under are admitted free.

The Monmouth County Fair is organized and presented by the Monmouth County Park System in cooperation with the Monmouth County 4-H Association.

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Photo of Mutts Gone Nuts provided by Monmouth County Park System officials