This Week's 4-H Fair is Where Somerset County's Past Meets the Future

By Mike Deak

The Somerset County 4-H Fair is more than a celebration of cherished values, more than youths displaying their devotion and dedication toward achieving a goal, more than the best food you will taste this summer and more than something rare — free and safe family fun.

The fair, which begins Wednesday, is a living reminder of what Somerset County was like before the explosion.

It’s hard for many of today’s residents to visualize that Somerset County, as late as 1980, was primarily rural, a garden spot of the Garden State. But then in the next three decades, as the county’s population grew by nearly 60 percent, farmland began to vanish as developers, spurred by the completion of interstate highways and affordable housing rules, waved their own green.

But the Somerset County 4-H Fair has stubbornly and gloriously kept in touch with its roots (pardon the pun.) And this week, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at North Branch Park on Milltown Road in Bridgewater, the county’s past will meet the county’s present and future. You can decide whether what we have lost is greater than what we have gained.

Since 1948, thousands annually have enjoyed the fair. Unlike many county fairs, there are no rides, no grotesque carnies, no garish midway and no games of chance that really offer little chance. The Somerset County 4-H has remained, since its beginning, a pure collective recognition of the accomplishments of the 1,000 Somerset County 4-H members. It is nearer “The Andy Griffith Show” than it is to “Jerseylicious.”   

Maps and schedules of daily events such as dog, horse and livestock shows will be available in the information tent or by clicking http://somerset.njaes.rutgers.edu/4hfair/4h-2013-Fair-Schedules.pdf and http://somerset.njaes.rutgers.edu/4hfair/4h-2013-Fair-Map.pdf.  

Twirling, go karts, rockets, magic, line dancing, model airplanes, R.C. cars, model trains and other 4-H clubs compete and perform. The Arts Tent, Science Tent and Prep Tent (for the youngest 4-H'ers) are packed with exhibits, activities for visitors, demonstrations and performances. 

Ten other 4-H tents house a variety of animals including dairy cows, beef, alpaca, horses, dogs, herpetology, sheep, goats, poultry, rabbits and small animals. Most animal tents have a petting area and information about how to join 4-H.

Somerset County government, Raritan Valley Community College, Veterans Services, Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Somerset County Library and other non-profit organizations and commercial advertisers will have displays, information, contests and free gifts.

Under the big top, more than 20 community organizations will offer a wide variety of meals and snacks. All day there will be professional and amateur entertainment.

The fair is sponsored by the Somerset County 4-H Association and the Board of Chosen Freeholders in support of the 4-H Youth Development Program of Rutgers Cooperative Extension. 4-H Members, volunteer Fair Managers, 4-H Club Leaders and parents work together, making this the largest event in Somerset County. Other partners include the Somerset County Park Commission and Raritan Valley Community College. Stevenson- D'Alessio American Legion Post 12 and Johnson & Johnson Ethicon, Inc. are major donors.

The Somerset County Sheriff’s Office will have a K-9 demonstration at 11 a.m. on Thursday in the Clover Theater. Other demonstrations/programs will be at the Sheriff’s Tent, located across from the county’s Main Tent, as follows: 

• Wednesday, Aug. 7:  Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) fingerprinting for children from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., child seat safety installation at 1 p.m. and Special Response Team (SRT) from 5 to 9 p.m. 
• Thursday, Aug. 8: Sheriff’s Sales information at 10 a.m., child seat safety installation at 1 p.m., BCI fingerprinting for children from 3 to 9 p.m., SRT from 5 to 9 p.m. and  Project Lifesaver at 5 p.m. 
• Friday, Aug. 9: child seat safety installation at 10 a.m., BCI fingerprinting for children from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and SRT from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.