Scene from Horse Show. Courtesy Sussex County Farm & Horse Show
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Sussex County Farm and Horse Show
This
ten-day event, "New Jersey's Best Fair," has become the premier
agricultural fair in the state. The 1999 event, the 63rd annual
show, attracted approximately 200,000 fairgoers. The fair
originated as a one-day horse show in 1936 in Branchville. In
addition to the signature event, the Horse Show, there is a Family
Entertainment Area, Performing Arts Tent, Craft Tent, and a Queen of
the Fair Pageant. The Horse Show had a special barrel-racing class
with a $5,500 purse, which drew a big crowd. Many local
organizations such as the Grange and Rotary Clubs participate, with
the help of two thousand volunteers. The theme of the 1999 show was
"Volunteers Make It Happen," and a "Star of the Day" was chosen to
be honored each day from among the many volunteers. The 1999 event
was attended by such VIPs as New Jersey Senator Robert Littrell,
U.S. Congresswoman Marge Roukema, and New Jersey Governor Christie
Whitman. On September 1, 1999, the Sussex County Farm and Horse
Show was officially designated "The New Jersey State Fair."
The project is documented with several pages of text,
postcards, and brochures, flyers, a registration and entry guide,
and a program for the1999 event.
Originally submitted by: Marge Roukema, Representative (5th District).
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