Five days and five nights of family fun has returned to the Cumberland County Fairgrounds at 3001 Carmel Road in Millville.

The Cumberland County Fair, one of the largest in New Jersey, welcomes all families and adults from the region.

It started yesterday and continues today, Wednesday, July 5, and runs through Saturday, July 8.

Popular offerings of events and attractions include amusement rides and games, the renowned pie eating contest, pageants, music, livestock exhibits, a craft fair, and of course, a demolition derby.

Admission is a $5 donation. Children five and under are free. Parking in the large lot is also free. The hours are 1 to 11 p.m. on July 5 through 7, and 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. on July 8. (Be aware that the fair window is cash only.)

The fair wristbands are available on Wednesday and Thursday for all-day rides for just $30.

The spectacle of the unmatchable Demolition Derby starts at 7 p.m. on Saturday night. Advance tickets are recommended, so you don’t have to stand in the showtime line. They can be purchased at the fair booth. It’s just $10 for all the smashing you’ll ever want.

Come to the fair hungry. There’s Häagen Dazs ice cream, Duke’s Vending funnel cakes, LK Water Ice, Kona Ice, and lemonade.

Before you have that stuff, kids, you may want to try Anthony’s Hot Dogs, Bolt Catering (rice and beans), BBQ from South Jersey Boys, tacos and street corn, Greek and Italian dishes, Big John’s Pizza, or rice bowls.

Jim’s Lunch will be on site. Many of you know how good that place is.

Round it out with brews from It’s Koffee Time, cookies from Crystal Ferraris, cupcakes, and, if you still can eat, Northeast kettle corn.

To cap it off, Murphy’s Farm Market can give you something to eat or take home with you.

Oldy, Moldy Granpa Cratchet will be giving unusual shows good for kids and fun-loving families all day most days, including 11 to 11 on Saturday in Grandpa’s Clubhouse.

If you aren’t too full and have any time left, monster trucks are back at the fair Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

Honestly, you may need more than one day at the fair this year, because we’re not done.

Ken the Magician and Jazzy Jen will be entertaining the crowd with two 45-minute magic shows on Wednesday. The National Barrel Horse Association will be competing on Friday at 7. After that, those of you with something left in the tank can celebrate with a grand fireworks show Friday at 9.

And, the biggest event of all to many participants, families, and audiences: The 4-H exhibitions and events go on during almost all fair hours. Twenty-five demonstrations and competitions are open to fair goers of all ages and center on our area’s proud agricultural, horticulture, and animal husbandry traditions.

To find out more and confirm times and activities, listeners may call 856-765-0118, e-mail [email protected] or visit cumberlandcountyfair.com.

Scroll all the way down on that page to see a full list of all the fascinating and educational 4-H events.

The fair is handicap accessible thanks to Cumberland County and ADA.

About Cumberland County 4-H

4‑H empowers young people with the skills to lead for a lifetime. It’s a research-based experience that includes a mentor, a hands-on project, and a meaningful leadership opportunity. The 4-H Youth Development Program uses a learn-by-doing approach to enable youth to develop the knowledge, attitudes and skills they need to become competent, caring and contributing citizens of the world.

This is accomplished by using the knowledge and resources of caring adults. The goals of the 4-H Youth Development Program are to:

• Provide informal, educational programs for youth in grades K–13 (one year out of high school)
• Encourage responsibility, community awareness and character development in youth
• Strengthen skills for adults working with youth through publications and training
• Improve community partnerships and collaborations

Next Up:

Among other exciting county fairgrounds future events, there’s one that stands out. It’s the Cumberland County Swap Meet and Car Show on Saturday, October 11. The swap meet is for automotive-related items only.

The first 100 show cars get a goodie bag and every car gets a ticket for the grand raffle drawing. The entry fee is only $5 and all proceeds go to the county’s 4-H programs.

Swap meet spaces are $30. The show runs from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Information is at cumberlandnj4h.com. Instead, you may call Cyndy Hetzell at 609-420-7290.