‘Fishing at Lake Grinnell’ along the railroad tracks with the ice house in front. (Photo courtesy of Bill Truran)
July is coming to a close and August is ready to burst upon us.
August brings the annual fair that many of us look forward to each year.
One of the most important features of Sussex County is the natural setting and the wonderful blessings that nature has supplied to us.
The Lenni Lenape lived off the land here for some 12,000 years. They hunted small and large game, and they also cultivated crops. Corn, peaches, plums and other rich produce supplied them with their sustenance.
When the European settlers came, they also worked the land to provide nourishment for their families. As time progressed, the farmers provided extra food for others. This included milk from the dairy farms and meat from cattle, sheep and pigs.
Like most of us, farmers at the time desired to see how their neighbors were doing and talk about new technology or different ways of managing the farm. Gatherings of people during the summer became common.
One location where gatherings occurred was the Farmer’s Picnic at Lake Grinnell. Thousands attended. Attendees would come via horse or by horse-drawn carriage. This may have evolved as it was centrally located with many farms nearby.
In the latter part of the 1800s, railroads had come to Sussex County so people could arrive by train. Some 20 years ago, I had the honor of interviewing “Ole Dollie” Doland, 102, of Ogdensburg (while he was watching the Mets) who said he met his wife, 98 at the time and knitting, who was from Hamburg, when they went by local train to the Farmer’s Picnic.
In the 1800s, there was a county fair in the town of Newton. This included horse racing, a popular sport at the time for the locals. Some had prized horses, and many others enjoyed watching the competition. Recall that horses were of prime importance as they provided transportation, and horses also served as the engines of production at the time. Horses were a source of pride among many.
The Newton fair evolved into another one further west. In 1919, the Branchville Riding Club began a small horse show. This grew in size and popularity until a break during World War II, then continuing as the Sussex County Farm and Horse Show with the “Queen of the Fair” competition.
I recall when I was younger going to what we called the Branchville Fair.
In 1976, the fair moved to a new location, which now is called the Sussex County Fairgrounds. Permanent structures have been built there for the yearly fair and for other events, such as concerts.
In 1999, the fair acquired a trademark so it could be referred to as the New Jersey State Fair. It now is known formally as the New Jersey State Fair/Sussex County Farm and Horse Show.
More than 220,000 people attend the fair each year. There they may see livestock shows, prized roosters and hens, outstanding knitting and artwork, carnival rides and the county community contributions.
The annual awards from the Sussex County historian will take place at 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2, and all are invited to attend.
Now it is the time for the fair and to enjoy our neighbors and the wonderful produce of Sussex County.
Bill Truran, Sussex County’s historian, may be contacted at billt1425@gmail.com He is the author of “Franklin High School: Two Basketball Dynasties.”