Freedom Fest becoming a summer tradition
Agricultural fair growing operationally and in attendance
BY JANE MEGGITT Staff Writer
While Freedom Fest Fair, held at the Horse Park of New Jersey in Upper Freehold July 8-12, is filled with fun and frivolity, the event also has a serious side.

ERIC SUCAR staff Freedom Fest Fair patrons seem to disappear against a colorful mural painted on one of the rides on the midway created at the Horse Park of New Jersey in Upper Freehold.

In its sixth year, the event honored those who help serve the United States in the military. Veterans from all branches of the armed services, who served in wars and conflicts such as World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War and in Iran and Afghanistan, were honored during a ceremony July 12 at the festival.

Allentown's Ron Dunster, who coordinated the event, said, "I thought it was time to recognize these guys."

The ceremony honored the Navy's Wayne Wright, of Hamilton, Robert J. Cole, of Hamilton, Jack Reid, of Hamilton, Jerry Rovner, of Allentown, and Bruce Novozinsky, of Upper Freehold; the Air Force's Harvey Walker, Ed Smith, of Hamilton, John Pasco, of Hightstown, and Robert Scott, of Allentown; the Army's Steve Mikulas, of Allentown, Dick Pinter, of Millstone, and Hal Roberts, of Millstone; the Marines' Kathy Straley, of Hamilton, Joseph Sebasto, of Yardville, Dave Popper, Bruce and Tom Carpenter, of Yardville; the National Guard's Paul Matlack, of Trenton, Judge Advocate General Steve Alexander, of Upper Freehold, and Richard Cardillo, of Hamilton, who earned the Silver Star and Purple Heart.

Top to bottom: Surfer Joe and Sparky the sea lion perform during the Sea Lion Splash Show at the July 8 opening night of Freedom Fest Fair in Upper Freehold's Horse Park of New Jersey. Michael Coiro (l-r), Matt Koeller, Devin Wharton, Kayla Wharton, Hadley Borkowski and Georgia Borkowski enjoy the 100 Nachts ride. Upper Freehold's Hallie Ricci, 7, feeds a friendly goat.

Novozinsky, a catalyst behind the creation of the Upper Freehold Township Veterans Council, said, "The men and ladies that took a well-deserved bow today are our living history. They are patriots and silent heroes and this is what we need, not just in our community, but in our country particularly in a time of war."

PHOTOS BY ERIC SUCAR staff

Novozinsky said it saddens him to see days like Independence Day and Memorial Day revolve around shopping circulars and to see Veterans Day and Flag Day forgotten.

"We need to place these people at the forefront of these days at remembrance," Novozinsky said. "When you find yourself next to them, you are next to greatness and it's people like Mr. Dunster that know how to honor those who have served."

Elaine McMinn, of Upper Freehold, came up with the idea of having the veterans ride in horse-drawn carriages during the ceremony. Her husband, Kevin, drove an eight-passenger wagonette pulled by Frank and Fritz, two 6-year-old Belgian geldings. Other veterans rode in a Conestoga wagon replica that the Wild West Show at Freedom Fest provided for the ceremony. The Fox Valley Freedom Riders Drill Team, made up of Millstone and Upper Freehold residents, served as a color guard for the event.

Assemblyman Ronald Dancer (R-30) spoke about the sacrifices those in uniform make before presenting a proclamation to the Upper Freehold and Allentown mayors.

A fundraiser for the Allentown Presbyterian Church, Freedom Fest Fair would not exist without donations of time, goods, services and money from local individuals, groups and businesses. Steve Miller, president of The Bank in Allentown, continued a two-year tradition and presented festival organizers with $10,000 to underwrite costs associated with the event. The Bank also treated the veterans to ice cream at Swal's, a vendor at the festival that has a store in Allentown.

The fair was awash with people wearing yellow T-shirts, designating them FreedomFest volunteers. Kathy Ricci, of Upper Freehold, was wearing one as she coordinated the various equine demonstrations, working alongside of her mother, Dorothy Hock. Allentown's Doug Anthony, who serves on the Upper Freehold Regional Board of Education, also sported a yellow shirt as did Robert Rhoad, of Upper Freehold, who estimated he put in 20 hours at the Allentown to Africa dunk tank.

The Allentown Presbyterian Church will send several people next month on a mission in the African nation of Malawi where their pastor, Stephen Heinzel-Nelson, and his family have been since earlier this year.

"It's been very rewarding, as we've gotten to talk to a lot of people in the community about our upcoming mission trip to Malawi, and expect we will have raised an additional $3,000 to benefit the villagers in Sakata, the village in Malawi where we're focusing our efforts," Rhoad said. "The dunk tank has been a fun way to raise money and get people involved."

Other volunteers didn't keep track of how long they worked at the fair. When asked how many hours he put in, Dunster replied, "Countless."

Upper Freehold's Nick DeMauro, a cochairman of the festival, said there were approximately 30 volunteers on duty during any given shift and estimated a total of 500 volunteers that worked multiple shifts. DeMauro said he worked every shift. Upper Freehold's Robins Bruins served as superintendent of the Stars and Stripes Livestock Show on July 12.

"This was our seventh year at the Horse Park and our second as a part of Freedom Fest Fair," she said. "We have become a youth show, open to any youth under the age of 21. Being an open youth show allows the kid with a guinea pig in her bedroom to experience fair life for a day. "T

he Stars and Stripes component of the fair included two American Goat Society shows, an Open Fleece Show and an Open Sheep Show.

Cream Ridge resident George Stillwell entered his first sheep show and received the John Peck Spirit Award for his unselfish, positive attitude and his willingness to help other sheep exhibitors. He and his sister, Renee, cared for the animals that stayed at the fair all week.

The livestock show didn't just showcase animals.

"We had a great display of antique tractors which demonstrated the pride that our local farmers have for their agricultural heritage." Bruins said. "On the other end of the spectrum, we showcased the Ramapo tomato that was brought back as a result of a consolidated effort by local growers and Rutgers University."

She continued, "Our local breeders and growers have some of the nation's best, we were happy to bring them together for the public to enjoy."

DeMauro called this year's Freedom Fest Fair a huge success with increased attendance over previous years.

"The feedback has been tremendous," he said. "From an operational perspective, the Horse Park is a great place to host a fair. " DeMauro said it was too early for him to announce how much of a profit the fair made since bills and pledged sponsorships have yet to be finalized. He said the high cost of fuel affected the fair in that there were higher generator expenses and fuel surcharges for some of the new acts.

Overall, fair organizers are grateful that area residents have embraced the event and made it a tradition, according to DeMauro.

"We are going to start planning next year's event very soon," he said. "Our next step in the growth of the fair may be increased days. However, that is a decision by the fair committee, event sponsor and the Horse Park."