Ocean County Fair Returns With Expanded Agriculture Showcase

The beloved Ocean County Fair will make its eagerly anticipated return this summer with a significantly expanded agricultural showcase highlighting the region’s farming heritage and contemporary agricultural innovations. Scheduled for July 10-14 at the Robert J. Miller Airpark in Berkeley Township, the annual tradition will feature enhanced exhibits, competitions, and interactive demonstrations designed to connect visitors with Ocean County’s agricultural roots while spotlighting sustainable farming practices.

Organizers announced that this year’s event will include over 100 livestock exhibits, doubling the size of previous years’ animal presentations, along with expanded produce competitions, agricultural technology demonstrations, and farm-to-table educational programs. The agricultural focus represents a deliberate effort to recenter the fair around its traditional purpose of celebrating local farming while introducing modern sustainable agricultural practices to new generations.

Youth Programs Highlight Agricultural Education

The Ocean County 4-H program will play a central role in this year’s fair, with youth participants presenting projects that span traditional animal husbandry to innovative agricultural technology applications. Young exhibitors will showcase livestock they’ve raised throughout the year, including cattle, sheep, goats, and poultry, demonstrating their knowledge of animal care and management techniques.

New this year is an expanded “Future Farmers” pavilion featuring interactive stations where children can experience various aspects of agricultural production, from seed planting to food processing. These hands-on activities aim to build agricultural literacy among young visitors while potentially inspiring future interest in agricultural careers or sustainable home food production.

Local Food Systems Take Center Stage

The fair’s expanded “Garden State Grown” pavilion will feature dozens of Ocean County producers showcasing locally grown fruits, vegetables, honey, and value-added products. This marketplace will connect consumers directly with local farmers, illustrating the vibrant food economy operating within Ocean County despite its perception as a primarily suburban and tourism-oriented area.

Culinary demonstrations throughout the fair will feature chefs preparing dishes with ingredients sourced directly from participating farms, highlighting the quality and diversity of locally available produce. These presentations will include practical information about incorporating seasonal local foods into everyday cooking, supporting the growing interest in locally sourced diets.

Heritage Displays Connect Past and Present

Recognizing Ocean County’s rich agricultural history, this year’s fair will include expanded historical exhibits documenting the evolution of farming practices in the region. Artifacts, photographs, and recorded oral histories will tell the story of how agriculture shaped the county’s development before tourism became the dominant economic driver.

Particular attention will focus on the region’s legacy of cranberry cultivation, blueberry farming, and poultry production—industries that once defined large portions of Ocean County’s economy and landscape. These historical perspectives provide context for understanding contemporary agricultural challenges and opportunities within the region.

Entertainment Tradition Continues With Modern Touches

While agricultural education takes precedence in this year’s programming, the fair continues its tradition of providing quality family entertainment with a full schedule of live music, carnival rides, and food vendors. The entertainment lineup balances traditional country and folk performances with contemporary artists, appealing to diverse audience preferences.

Evening headline performances will take place on the newly constructed main stage, featuring improved sound systems and seating capacity. The fairgrounds layout has been reconfigured to create distinct zones for agriculture, entertainment, and commercial vendors, improving visitor flow while ensuring the agricultural components remain central to the fair experience.