Historic anniversaries and fresh attractions await fairgoers

There’s much to celebrate at the New Jersey State Fair-Sussex County Farm and Horse Show this year. In addition to America 250 themed events throughout the week, 2026 also marks 50 years of the Sussex County Fairgrounds and 90 years of the Sussex County Horse Show.

“This is so exciting, especially as the horse show has grown over the past few years,” said Caitlin McCall, who directs the horse show. “To be celebrating our 90th year and our nation’s 250th and many other Fair milestones all at once is incredible.”

With each year that passes, the fair continues to grow. This summer’s event will feature plenty of new attractions in addition to old favorites.

“We listen to our fair-goers and try to include everything that makes them happy,” said Joan Snook Smith, president of the Sussex County Farm and Horse Show Association, the not-for-profit organization that plans the fair. “We keep our ears to the ground and listen to what they want to return.”

Smith and the team at the fairgrounds have been hard at work putting together the 2026 event. The planning started last summer – as soon as last year’s fair came to a close.

What’s new

Festivities kick off on opening day Friday, July 31. After the opening ceremonies – which feature a free performance from country rock band Whiskey Crossing, followed by the annual Rooster Crow – East Coast Pro Wrestling will be in the Outdoor Entertainment Area for the first time this year. The event is family-friendly, featuring numerous matches and a 20-person battle royale.

Also new this year is a special show for the Swifties: “Fearless: The Taylor Swift Experience” will be in the Performing Arts Tent on Tuesday, Aug. 4 at 7 p.m. The show features a live band and performer Jennifer Westrip, whose voice, looks and stage presence deliver an exciting show that promises to deliver the energy and authenticity of a live Taylor Swift concert.

“It’s been selling out places and is very popular with teens, teenie-boppers and their mothers,” Smith said.

And while the fair has hosted line dancing in the past, the fair will feature a line dancing competition this year on Friday, Aug. 7. Boots and Bling will host dancing instruction from 7 to 8 p.m. in the Performing Arts Tent, and the competition will immediately follow. Whiskey Crossing DJ Tina Marie will keep the music going while competitors dance the night away.

Friday will also feature an all-comers parade that everyone is welcome to join at 3 p.m., featuring dignitaries, old cars, animals and children, bubbles and lots of music.

“The parade isn’t stuffy or anything like that,” Smith said. “If you want to march along with your rooster, have at it!”

Red, white and blue

The fair will be going all out for America’s bisesquicentennial. Wednesday, Aug. 5, has been dubbed “America 250 Day,” featuring special events to mark the occasion. Keep your eye out for George Washington, Martha Washington and Ben Franklin – who can be spotted around the fairgrounds.

In the Home & Hobby section of the fair, the cookie and cupcake decorating contests will have America 250 themes. Patriotic crafts, woodworking and quilts will abound.

“Anyone who enters something patriotic in a category to be judged will get the regular ribbon, but this year we [also] have special ribbons we are attaching to them in keeping with the 250th anniversary,” said Barbara Thomas, who runs the Home & Hobby exhibits at the fair.

Over at the Art Show, “we asked our professional artists to focus on America the Beautiful for that space,” said Sue Struble, who organizes the exhibit.

The annual scarecrow contest also features a patriotic twist. “We have a scarecrow contest each year, and this year’s theme is founding father or founding mother,” explained Lynn Prtorich, who leads the fair’s Vegetable Show.

Tried and true

“There are lots of cool things returning this year,” Smith said. “The kids, especially, love the carnival rides, but there’s so much more to the fair.”

The fair will again feature the coveted pig races, wood carving demonstrations, petting zoo, Circus Incredible’s acrobats, the ever-popular Demolition Derby, The Monster Truck Show, and more.

Bull riding is back again this year, now with an expanded program titled “Bulls Barrels and Roping,” at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 1 in the Outdoor Entertainment Area.

Sensory Day will also make a return to the carnival on Tuesday from noon to 2 p.m., featuring rides with limited sounds and lights. The Foam Zone, a favorite among children last year, is also back in 2026, featuring a foam cannon that shoots out piles of non-toxic, biodegradable foam for kids to play in.

One of the biggest hits last year was the addition of The Nerds – a rock ‘n’ roll cover band that, in Smith’s words, “Just seems ever-popular and timeless.” The Nerds will hit the stage again at the fairgrounds on Saturday, Aug. 8 at 7:30 p.m. in the Performing Arts Tent, where there will also be a pop-up bar.

There’s something for everyone at the fair – a Sussex County tradition that continues to bring families back each summer, generation after generation.

“One of my biggest joys is seeing families return years later; the parents were once kids enjoying the fair, and now they come back with their own children,” said Smith. “The county fair is one of our country’s oldest and hopefully ever-lasting traditions. We do our best to keep going strong each and every year.”