Freedom Fest is back with a new name and location

UPPER FREEHOLD - The local Freedom Fest has gained status in the state.

Since the New Jersey Department of Agriculture and the Monmouth County Board of Agriculture recently deemed the annual festival a New Jersey Agricultural Fair, the event will have a new name and location this year.

In addition to its new moniker - the Freedom Fest Fair - the event will have a change of venue from the Upper Freehold Regional School District campus in Allentown to the Horse Park of New Jersey in Upper Freehold.

One of the premier equestrian parks on the East Coast, the Horse Park has hosted world-class events such as qualifying exhibitions for the Olympic Games. The Freedom Fest Fair will be its first fair event.

"I am ecstatic over this opportunity to partner with the Horse Park of New Jersey," said Nicholas DeMauro, one of the festival's founders and co-chairmen. "The location and space that the park offers is perfect for the expansion of this ever-growing event."

The Freedom Fest Fair is a mission of the Allentown Presbyterian Church (APC), which is located in downtown Allentown. The fair's mission is focused on providing a unique festival event for central New Jersey while offering a way for many area churches and nonprofit organizations to promote and expand their own missions and services in the community.

"Freedom Fest is entering its fifth year and truly has become one of the largest events in this area," said Kevin Dreher, the event's co-chairman. "This year's event will offer more than double the amount of fun and family-friendly entertainment for all of our guests."

The Freedom Fest Fair will run July 10-14, with camp days on July 11 and 13. In addition to its longstanding relationship with Amusements of America and its state-of-the-art amusement rides, there will be more games of skill and a food court with a wide variety of tasty treasures, plus an expanded section of talented local craft and service vendors.

Last year's star attraction, The Great American Frontier and Wildlife Show, is returning with an even bigger exhibition that, along with its bears and big cats, will include an agricultural museum and other attractions.

A magic act, the celebrated Lance Gifford Magic Show, will also perform every night. And, a country fair would not be complete without racing pigs, so the organizers announced that Robinson's Racing Pigs and Paddling Porkers will perform four shows nightly.

A longstanding tradition at the festival has been the live entertainment offered every night, and this year is no exception. Already scheduled to perform are the Billy Hill Band, the Community Christian Choir and children's entertainer Mr. Ray, with more concerts to be announced soon.

Freedom Fest Fair is also announcing a new partnership with Stars and Stripes, a prominent agricultural organization that will host a fun and educational show featuring animals from four surrounding states. Some of Stars and Stripes' exhibits and live demonstrations that will be continuously featured during the fair include knitting and spinning, sheep filling, dog obedience, cow milking, tomato and egg judging, wheelbarrow racing and many more exhibits for all ages.

The fair will once again conclude with a fireworks display on July 14. This year's event will again be sponsored by The Bank First Washington Division, Packet Publications and many other community sponsors, such as Reed's Sod Farm.

For more information about sponsoring or participating in the Freedom Fest Fair, call Nick De Mauro at (609) 468-6500.