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 Children ride the carousel. https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/img-8374_4-10972809_20260803100016.jpg https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/img-8362_4-10972811_20260803100017.jpg Fireworks lit up the midway after dark. https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/img-8265_4-10972814_20260803100019.jpg Hearts & Hooves had a booth. https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/img-8262_4-10972817_20260803100022.jpg 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. https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/img-8247_4-10972820_20260803100025.jpg Alpacas were on display. https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/img-8245_4-10972823_20260803100026.jpg These chickens won a 4-H poultry prize. https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/img-8237_4-10972826_20260803100028.jpg Dogs run through an obstacle course 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 2025 Queen Sophie Schaeffner awards the People’s Choice winner, Miss Vernon Evelyn Bernard. https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/img-8331_4-10973230_20260803101623.jpg 2025 Queen Sophie Schaeffner congratulates the new NJ Fair Queen, Miss Sandyston, Jordan Valleau. https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/img-8289_4-10973233_20260803101624.jpg The contestants for the N.J. Fair Queen of the Fair and last year’s Queen Sophie Schaeffner. https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/img-8347_4-10973235_20260803101626.jpg 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. 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. https://www.spartaindependent.com/news/local-news/sparta-boy-surpasses-fundraising-goal-for-peru-orphanage-YJ6083670 hourly The Sparta Independent en 2026-08-03T12:49:57-04:00 Sparta boy surpasses fundraising goal for Peru orphanage https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/img-2842_4-10974595_20260803124959.jpg James Kierans updates the Wall of Hope. https://www.spartaindependent.com/entertainment/lumos-concert-performed-at-shepherd-of-the-hills-YJ6083706 hourly The Sparta Independent en 2026-08-03T13:00:25-04:00 Lumos concert performed at Shepherd of the Hills https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/dsc-7575_4-10974663_20260803130031.jpg From left, Lucy Voin, Tom Valdez and Nick Pauly perform. https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/dsc-7570_4-10974672_20260803130033.jpg Charleen and Charles Ayerle of Newton pose for a photo. https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/dsc-7569_4-10974675_20260803130036.jpg Candles were set up around the sanctuary. https://www.spartaindependent.com/news/local-news/flora-foundation-launches-to-expand-access-to-mental-health-care-EJ6083745 hourly The Sparta Independent en 2026-08-03T13:07:33-04:00 Flora Foundation launches to expand access to mental health care https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/dsc-7578_4-10974741_20260803130737.jpg Flora Foundation founders Colleen Garone and Joanna Flora pose for a photo. https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/dsc-7579_4-10974737_20260803130739.jpg Visitors look at a table. https://www.spartaindependent.com/news/local-news/sparta-approves-land-preservation-plan-to-advance-landfill-closure-GJ6083787 hourly The Sparta Independent en 2026-08-03T13:17:14-04:00 Sparta approves land preservation plan to advance landfill closure https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/sparta-logo-4-9185989-20250629180401_4-10974752_20260803131716.jpg https://www.spartaindependent.com/news/sports/three-area-players-compete-in-baseball-youth-all-american-games-LJ6083836 hourly The Sparta Independent en 2026-08-03T13:26:58-04:00 Three area players compete in Baseball Youth All-American Games https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/img-3172_4-10974968_20260803132702.jpg Liam McQueeny, Michael Egger and Jaxon Hiler pose for a photo. https://www.spartaindependent.com/binrepository/img-3187_4-10974961_20260803132706.jpg The Surf City Slammers pose for a photo. https://www.spartaindependent.com/entertainment/new-jersey-comedy-film-festival-coming-to-sparta-ave-stage-NK6084096 hourly The Sparta Independent en 2026-08-03T13:40:10-04:00 New Jersey Comedy Film Festival coming to Sparta Ave. Stage https://www.spartaindependent.com/opinion/columns/sussex-county-history-today-battle-of-monmouth-YK6084133 hourly The Sparta Independent en 2026-08-03T13:46:34-04:00 Sussex County History Today: Battle of Monmouth