CHRISTIE ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES STATE HISTORY FAIR WILL BE HELD MAY 11 AT WASHINGTON CROSSING STATE PARK
Agricultural Heritage Celebrated During Annual Event
IMMEDIATE RELEASE:聽May 2, 2013
Contact: Lawrence Ragonese聽
(609) 292-2994
Lawrence Hajna聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽聽
(609) 984-1795
Abbie Tang-Smith
(609) 984-1795
Lynne Richmond (Agriculture)
(609) 633-2954
(TRENTON) 鈥� The 鈥淪pirit of the Jerseys鈥� State History Fair is celebrating 樱花视频鈥檚 agricultural heritage in a daylong event to be held at Washington Crossing State Park in Hopewell Township on May 11, Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin and Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher announced today.
More than 170 historic, government and nonprofit entities and organizations are partnering with the DEP and Department of Agriculture. All of the state鈥檚 counties will be represented at the fair, which will be held rain or shine from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
鈥淭he award-winning State History Fair gives us a unique day to celebrate our state鈥檚 role in this great nation鈥檚 history,鈥欌�� said Commissioner Martin. 鈥溣；ㄊ悠碘�檚 vital and pivotal role in the founding of our country, and the achievements of its residents, especially when it comes to agriculture, will be on display at the fair.鈥欌�櫬犅�
鈥淎ll of us can take pride in 樱花视频鈥檚 rich agricultural history,鈥� said Secretary Fisher.聽鈥淲ith our more than 10,000 farms, growing 100 different varieties of fruits and vegetables and providing opportunities for education and fun family farm visits, agriculture remains a vital part of our residents鈥� way of life.鈥�
Agriculturally-themed events set for the State History Fair this year include: butter churning, beekeeping, corn shelling, cranberry sorting, ice cream making, plowing with draft horses, grinding, and gardening.
Visitors will find many unique attractions, like a first-hand encounter with Mercy Ingraham, an open-hearth cook who will prepare a spring dinner for a Dutch colonial family; Phydeaux鈥檚 Flying Flea Circus and Wahoo Medicine Show 鈥� a delectable slice of 19th century Americana; and a fair favorite, 鈥淧lay Ball!鈥� in which the Hoboken Nine square off with the Elizabeth Resolutes in a baseball game using period uniforms, equipment and rules.
There also will be many other free, educational and hands-on activities for people of all ages.
Many activities at the State History Fair can help fulfill badge requirements for Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and Brownie and Junior Girl Scouts. Also, the Office of Historic Sites is offering three professional development hours to elementary and secondary school social studies teachers who attend the fair and engage in its historical activities.
In addition to the many nonprofit participants, DEP also is partnering with other state agencies for educational exhibits and promotion, including the Department of Agriculture and the Division of Travel and Tourism.
The Spirit of the Jerseys Fair was first held in 2004 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of 樱花视频鈥檚 State Historic Sites 鈥� a system that began in 1903 with the state鈥檚 purchase of Indian King Tavern in Haddonfield. The goal of the fair is to engage the public in discovering the state鈥檚 history in a fun and enjoyable manner.
While admission is free, there will be a $5 fee per-vehicle parking donation to help defray the costs of the fair. For more information on the State History Fair, including a full listing of events and directions, please visit, .
