Aug. 8-10 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily

BRIDGEWATER – Are you planning a staycation in August or just looking for a fun way to spend a day or evening close to home?   At the Somerset County 4-H Fair  you can enjoy farm animals, foods prepared on outdoor grills, 4-Hers’ projects, free family fun and a chance to stroll outdoors with family and friends.

The 4-H Fair will run Aug. 8 to 10, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, at the Somerset County 4-H Fairgrounds at North Branch Park on Milltown Road.  For directions, go to somerset.njaes.rutgers.edu/4hfair/directions.html 

Free shuttle buses will run from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. from Raritan Valley Community College on Route 28 in North Branch.  Buses will drop visitors by the footbridge at the entrance to the fairgrounds. 

“The Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders is proud and pleased to once again sponsor this annual celebration of our rich agricultural heritage,” said Freeholder Director Patricia Walsh.  

“We invite residents to visit the Somerset County government tents, which will feature various activities, games and information on important citizen programs and services,” said Freeholder Walsh.  “The 4-H Fair is a wonderful opportunity for county government to get the word out in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere about the many programs and services we offer.”

Employees from close to 30 divisions and/or affiliated agencies will be available to answer questions and provide information. Children will have an opportunity to learn about county government through games and puzzles. 

Several divisions and affiliated agencies will have games, activities or a game wheel for children, including the Board of Freeholders; Somerset County Library System; Rutgers Cooperative Extension; and the Solid Waste Management, Planning, Engineering, Youth Services and Human Services divisions. 

Again this year, the Board of Freeholders will sponsor a souvenir photo booth at which visitors can receive a free instant picture.  Photos will be taken each day from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. 

The Board of Freeholders and the Division of Solid Waste Management, through a solid waste management program grant, will sponsor Rizzo’s Reptile Discovery on Friday, Aug. 10, at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. in the Prep Tent.  An educator will blend nature, environment and conservation to teach how humans impact the environment.  Visitors will meet various animals and learn what they can do to save the earth. 

The Somerset County Sheriff’s Office will have a K-9 demonstration at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 9, 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. 8:  Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) fingerprinting for children from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., child safety seat installation at 1 p.m. and Special Response Team (SRT) from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 9: Sheriff’s Sales information at 10 a.m., child safety seat installation at 1 p.m., BCI fingerprinting for children from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., SRT from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and  Project Lifesaver at 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 10: child safety seat 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.

Again this year, the Office on Aging and Disability Services will be collecting used prescription eyeglasses and nonprescription sunglasses for the needy at their booth in the Main Tent.

Several booths will have drawings for prizes that have been generously donated by local businesses and organizations.  Some of the prizes include tickets to the Raritan Valley Community College Theatre and Somerset Patriots’ home games; gift cards to ShopRite and Wegmans; Leisure Pursuit coupons for Somerset County Park Commission programs; a one-month membership to Curves of Bridgewater; a Serenity Basket; a basket of school supplies; and gift certificates to local restaurants, including Carrabba’s Italian Grill, The Cheesecake Factory, Maggiano’s Little Italy, Verve, Spain 92, Scampi’s Seafood Restaurant, Outback Steak House, Olde Mill Inn, Houlihan’s, California Pizza Kitchen and Taste of Crete.

            Visitors are encouraged to stop by the 4-H Information Tent, across from the footbridge, to pick up a schedule of events and layout of the fairgrounds before beginning their adventure.

In case of heavy-rain conditions, which impact parking at the fairgrounds, visitors could be prohibited from parking at the fairgrounds.  If so, proceed to Raritan Valley Community College to take advantage of free shuttle buses. Signs will direct visitors to the proper parking area at the college. Directions to the college are available at http://www.raritanval.edu/about/directions.html. 

Due to the crowds and hot weather, visitors are asked to leave their pets at home.

For more information about the Fair, call the Ted Blum 4-H Center at 908-526-6644 or visit http://somerset.njaes.rutgers.edu/4hfair/.