Every year, one county to the west of us, the New Jersey State Fair takes place. It’s also known as the Sussex County Farm and Horse Show. This brings out for all to see the “Country” part of our State, highlighting the farming industry that still exists in many parts of the Garden State. This includes our agriculture, (what better corn is there than Jersey Corn, and Jersey tomatoes are great as well) and farm animals. There are 4H Club exhibits with farm animals, horse shows, concerts, carnivals, lots of vendors, and so much more. It’s a great thing to do with your family. This has been going on annually for years, I remember taking my own children.
I’d suggest you take a look at the calendar of events (starts August 1st) as it develops over the coming weeks, there’s already a lot posted, and plan your day around the events you want to see. During times when there are no events, there are plenty of vendors, and if you and your children like rides, there’s the carnival. It’s a busy place, so chose your times to visit to suit your likes and dislikes. You can find out more by visiting the official website for the New Jersey State Fair.
Comment if you’ve ever been to the fair and let us know what your favorite attraction was.
Years ago my husband and I spent time in a Sunday School class taught by a man named Earle Davis, who always loved to talk about his years working with Les Paul, another famous New Jersey Celebrity.
It was at his home in Mahwah, NJ, about 1/2 hour from where we live now, that Les did some of his pioneering work on the solid-body electric guitar…which means he had a significant role in the rock ‘n roll industry, can you imagine rock ‘n roll without an electric guitar or two or three? I believe Les Paul guitars were later made by Gibson. It was always fun to hear Earle’s stories, and until I did my homework on Les Paul, I didn’t fully appreciate the significance.
Our friend, Earle, traveled with Les and his wife, Mary Ford, as their sound technician. If you click this link, you’ll be taken to a “Stars and Stripes” photo of the day that has a picture of our old friend, Earle, with Les Paul, his wife Mary and his son…I’d like to bring the picture over here, but want to respect copyright guidelines…it’s a great shot.
I believe Les is close to 90 and still making beautiful music, correct me if I’m wrong?
(I found the guitar pictured on eBay, on sale here in New Jersey. I don’t know the seller and have nothing to gain sharing the link to the post, but here it is just in case you’re looking for a vintage Les Paul guitar.)
Abbott & Costello were a comedy team that I LOVED as a child, and it was only later in life, not that long ago actually, that I found out both were born here in New Jersey. Bud was born William Alexander Abbott in 1827 in Asbury Park, NJ, where we spent days at the shore when I was a kid. Lou Costello was born Louis Francis Cristillo in 1906 in the same County that I live in now, Passaic County in Paterson NJ, about a 30+ minute drive from our rural part of the County.
It was in the mid-1930’s when they began their act on the stage, then went on to radio, and finally to Television where I remember seeing them, and the movies. Their humor was clean and funny! The “Abbott and Costello Show” began it’s TV run in 1952, a year after I was born. I would have been about 7 years old when Lou Costello passed away in 1959. There’s a lot that can be said about this great duo, including all they did to help keep morale up during WWII, and almost everyone has heard of their skit “Who’s On First”, in fact, I have it for you below, enjoy!
Years ago my husband and I spent time in a Sunday School class taught by a man named Earle Davis, who always loved to talk about his years working with Les Paul, another famous New Jersey Celebrity.