https://www.spartaindependent.com/news/local-news/a-day-at-the-fair-GI6082338 hourly The Sparta Independent en 2026-08-03T10:00:03-04:00 A day at the fair https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/img-8365_4-10972746_20260803100014.jpg <b>Children ride the carousel.</b> https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/img-8374_4-10972809_20260803100016.jpg https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/img-8362_4-10972811_20260803100017.jpg <b>Fireworks lit up the midway after dark.</b> https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/img-8265_4-10972814_20260803100019.jpg <b>Hearts &amp; Hooves had a booth.</b> https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/img-8262_4-10972817_20260803100022.jpg <b>Brianna Strada, Hampton. 4-H swine queen. As the queen, she said she loves talking to fair-goers and her community. Of course, she loves pigs. The 4-H has 15 clubs, each with a queen representative. </b> https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/img-8247_4-10972820_20260803100025.jpg <b>Alpacas were on display.</b> https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/img-8245_4-10972823_20260803100026.jpg <b>These chickens won a 4-H poultry prize.</b> https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/img-8237_4-10972826_20260803100028.jpg <b>Dogs run through an obstacle course</b> https://www.spartaindependent.com/news/local-news/miss-sandyston-crowned-queen-of-the-new-jersey-state-fair-EI6082633 hourly The Sparta Independent en 2026-08-03T10:16:15-04:00 Miss Sandyston crowned Queen of the New Jersey State Fair https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/img-8323-jpg_4-10972966_20260803101621.jpg <b>2025 Queen Sophie Schaeffner awards the People’s Choice winner, Miss Vernon Evelyn Bernard.</b> https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/img-8331_4-10973230_20260803101623.jpg <b>2025 Queen Sophie Schaeffner congratulates the new NJ Fair Queen, Miss Sandyston, Jordan Valleau.</b> https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/img-8289_4-10973233_20260803101624.jpg <b>The contestants for the N.J. Fair Queen of the Fair and last year’s Queen Sophie Schaeffner.</b> https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/img-8347_4-10973235_20260803101626.jpg <b>People’s Choice winner, Miss Vernon, Evelyn Bernard; First Runner Up, Miss Franklin, Addison Smith; Queen, Miss Sandyston, Jordan Valleau; Second Runner Up, Miss Frankfort, Teagan Smith.</b> https://www.spartaindependent.com/news/sports/sparta-council-honors-state-champion-boys-lacrosse-team-CJ6083455 hourly The Sparta Independent en 2026-08-03T12:19:34-04:00 Sparta council honors state champion boys lacrosse team https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/sparta-logo-4-9185989-20250629180401_4-10974246_20260803121937.jpg https://www.spartaindependent.com/entertainment/shepherd-of-the-hills-to-host-outdoor-christian-music-concert-FJ6083531 hourly The Sparta Independent en 2026-08-03T12:31:31-04:00 Shepherd of the Hills to host outdoor Christian music concert https://www.spartaindependent.com/news/local-news/bookworm-bonanza-raises-700-supplies-for-valerie-center-NJ6083618 hourly The Sparta Independent en 2026-08-03T12:42:11-04:00 Bookworm Bonanza raises $700, supplies for Valerie Center https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/dsc-7552_4-10974525_20260803124214.jpg Lucas Jaffe of Sparta poses at the Bubbly Bliss table. https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/dsc-7545_4-10974587_20260803124216.jpg Emliia Paradisi Garces and Isabel Paradis hold their mother's hand.