NJ State Fair

The event has been in existence for 26 years; there are over 7,000 bags of cotton candy sold at State Fair Meadowlands and over 5,000 corn dogs; almost 100 pig races annually; over 1,300 people hypnotized; and perhaps just as importantly, each year, the fair generates almost $1 million in sales tax for the state of New Jersey. Seventeen days full of action-packed fun for the entire family beginning Friday, June 22 running through Sunday, July 8.

You can get delicious Italian, Greek, Asian, Tex-Mex, Colombian, and other great ethnic fare–as well as American treats such as curly fries, corn dogs, smoothies, corn on the cob, turkey legs, deep-fried Oreos and much more. If you’re an adventurous foodie, or just a fan of Cajun cooking Chester’s Gators and Taters will be serving up, well, gators and taters.

Aside from a vast assortment of rides and carnival games, as you would rightly expect from a fair, there will also be the return of favorite shows and activities like the NJ Wine Competition for amateurs and professionals; The Big Cat Show–lions and tigers from a big cat sanctuary in Florida; Circus Maximus–an 1,800-seat circus with thrill and animal shows; Racing Pigs–hilarious pig race track to delight both kids and adults; rides in the original Batcopter (from the 1960s Batman TV show); the fair’s famous Skyride; master hypnotist Steve Bayner and the Festival of Magic; an educational petting zoo; and fireworks on July 3 and 4.

There are also some additions to this year’s roster featuring Live Shark Encounter, an educational show about one of nature’s most fearsome creatures, and the Hall of Wonders/Palace of Illusion–a world-famous troupe of sword swallowers, contortionists and acrobats. The fair features over 25 kid-friendly rides–including the Rockin’ Tug, the Caterpillar Coaster, Construction Zone, Bumble Bee, and the traditional Merry-Go-Round–as well as special fair games where kids of all ages can step up to win their favorite prizes.

For just $5 admission on weeknights and $7 on weekends and holidays, you can bring a child to State Fair Meadowlands and enjoy the country’s best live animal shows, circus performers, rock bands and petting zoo. They even offer a ‘Kids Go Free’ night on June 27, where any child 12 and under gets into the fair for free.