Sure, it's in the middle of the summer, but for some folks, it isn’t summer until they’ve been to the Gloucester County 4H Fair and NJ Peach Festival. That’s when the kids in the 4H program, who have worked so hard all year, unveil their projects and compete for blue ribbons and bragging rights. The range of accomplishments is amazing -- watch the equestrians conduct precision exercises with their horses, learn about cows from dairy and beef club members, join in an auction and bid on a hog or lamb raised by one of the 4H members, or give the kids a hand as they demonstrate their skills in dog obedience class. Before you head to the tent to cheer on the kids performing the karate demonstration or get tips on the care and feeding of exotic birds, drop by the barbecue booth and chow down on the yummy ribs, a fair tradition. But then again, so is the peach ice cream. Really, you can’t do the fair without indulging in the barbecue and ice cream.
And there is so much more. Ride the carnival rides, enjoy music performances, watch Civil War re-enactments, even pick up a few goodies at the crafts fair. A few other favorites, year-after-year are the lumberjack contests, baby parade, pig races and for a few laughs, frog and turtle races.
As if that weren’t enough, the fair also celebrates state’s peach crop with the crowning of the New Jersey Peach Queen. And the local farmer with the best crate of peaches is awarded the New Jersey Governor’s Cup.