Going to Cumberland County Fair? Here's what you need to know

MILLVILLE – The celebration of homespun and family fun returns to the Cumberland County Fairgrounds after a two-year COVID-related hiatus.

The Cumberland Country Fair opens on Tuesday and runs through the demolition derby on Saturday.

The county fair, the oldest in the state, offers some time-honored traditions with some new additions. Here’s what you need to know:

Ready to go

Fair hours: 5 – 11 p.m. Tuesday, 1 to 11 p.m. Wednesday, 4 – 11 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday

Admission is $5 for ages 6 and older. Those aged 65 or older and military personnel with an ID are admitted free. There's no charge to park at the fairgrounds, 3001 Carmel Road, Millville.

Tip: Wristband all-day ride specials are $20 on Wednesday, and $25 on Thursday.

Everyone’s invited

While the fairgrounds were closed to visitors, Cumberland Country crews took the opportunity to make the area more inclusive.

The parking lot, adjacent to the main entrance, is freshly asphalted and painted for handicapped parking.

Interior pathways are also upgraded, giving access to exhibits, attractions, and the grandstand. Bathrooms are also American With Disabilities Act compliant.

Tip: Help spread the word.

Taste of summer

Food trucks and vendors will offer temptations from savory brick oven pizza to sugary swirls of cotton candy. What country fair menu is complete without deep fried Oreos?

Want to chow for a cause? The Cumberland County 4-H Leaders’ Association is hosting a BBQ between 4:30 and 7 p.m. Friday. Platters are a choice of pulled pork sandwich or ½ barbecue chicken, with sides of tomato/cucumber salad and corn-on-the-cob.  Can’t get any fresher, the produce is fresh-picked from local farms. The platters, $12 each, are prepared at the 4-H Tent along Clover Lane.  Need to chill after dinner, the 4-H offers hand-dipped ice cream cones and root beer floats. Proceeds support 4-H member activities.

Tip:  Platters tend to sellout. To buy platter tickets in advance, call De’Ann at 856-451-2800, ext. 3.

It’s good to be a kid

The first 300 youngsters entering the fairgrounds on Wednesday get prizes simply for being awesome.

There are plenty of free attractions to capture their attention including face painting, a magic show, and meeting Monarchs up close in the butterfly tent.

Stone-spotting sleuths are invited to the painted rock hunt starting at 4 p.m. It’s finders-keepers for those who discover the rock art, consider it a fair souvenir.

Live at 5, dig into the pie-eating contest. Choices are apple, cherry, and blueberry. Bibs are provided.

 Tip: No points for neatness in the timed pie nosh.

Howdy partner

Wrangle the young ones through the fair’s main entrance on Thursday, where they get a free cowboy/cowgirl hat.

Hop aboard hayrides and try some “steer” roping.

At 5 p.m., the fair crew will be deputizing young ‘uns and awarding them tin star badges. About 30 “Wanted” posters are scattered throughout the fairgrounds. Any rookie deputy that spots the pictured festival staffer and reports their location collects a bounty of a free prize.

The country band “Roadhouse 4” takes the stage from 6 to 8 p.m. County line dancers are encouraged to show off their best slides and shuffles.

Tip: Check out the pan for “gold."  Young miners who discover a nugget may turn it in and claim a treasure.

Time to shine

Free registration for the Little Miss and Little Mister pageant is between 4 and 5 p.m. Friday at the main entrance.  The competition is open to those 5 – 8 years old who reside in Cumberland County. Themes this year are “Red, White and Blue” and “Summer Harvest.”

Judging begins at 5:15 p.m. Winners will be presented tiara/crown, sash, and swag.

Tip: All contestants are stars and will go home with a goodie bag and ribbon.

Out with bang

The Cumberland County Fair’s finale is the undisputed high-decibel event of the festival.

The crash-and-smash demolition derby goes full throttle starting at 7 p.m. Saturday.

 There’s a $10 fee to enter the grandstand.

Tickets go on sale at 4:30 p.m. Races run 7 p.m. to midnight.

Tip:  Drive home safe.

For more information about the Cumberland County Fair, click http://www.cumberlandcofair.com