The Monmouth County Park System and the Monmouth County 4-H Association are presenting the 2011 Monmouth County Fair, July 27 through July 31 at the East Freehold Park Showgrounds, 1500 Kozloski Road in Freehold.

Each day of the fair features educational activities at the Home and Garden Tent, the Living History Tent and the 4-H Show Tent. Other daily events include reptile shows with Bwana Jim, pig racing, lumberjack shows and a petting farm. The Riders of the Thunderdome will perform three daily motorcycle stunt shows Wednesday through Saturday.

Programs to be held in the Home and Garden Tent include beekeeper demonstrations by the Central Jersey Beekeepers, programs by Master Gardeners, competitions and wheel-thrown pottery demonstrations. The Living History Tent will host weaving demonstrations, ice cream making, butter making, wood stove cooking, a quilting demonstration and live music.

Highlights at the 4-H Show Tent include live chicks hatching, a watermelon seed-spitting contest, animal exhibits, a goat show and horse shows and exhibitions.

Fireworks are scheduled for July 27 at 9:15 p.m.

July 27 is also Sports Night, featuring a race car simulator, NASCAR cars and Mr. Met. Special entertainment offerings include live music, bike stunts, the Monmouth County Firefighters Association Busted Hose & Ladder Competition and the Tommie Turvey Equine Extremist.

Visitors can also become part of the fair. Competitions are open to all amateur artists, crafters, cooks and gardeners with no residency requirements, except for the honey and canning categories, which require New Jersey State residency.

“Celebrate Our Shores” is a new division to the Arts & Crafts competition. Entrants are to capture an image of one of Monmouth County’s picturesque waterfronts. Open to original artwork in the following mediums: photography, pen and ink, pastel, watercolor, oil or acrylic. Bring your artwork to the East Freehold Showgrounds on July 24 (10 a.m.-3 p.m.) or July 25, 9 a.m.-noon.

July 29 is Gardeners Day at the Fair. Flowers and vegetables brought in that morning (from 8 a.m.-11 a.m.) will be judged with ribbons awarded. Staff from Deep Cut Gardens will be on hand all day and evening to answer gardening questions.

July 30 is Bakers Day. Bring entries to the Fairgrounds between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. Judging is at noon. Remove baked goods after 9 p.m. Saturday night only. Judges will answer questions and share tips. Demonstrations will be going on all day Saturday.

July 31 is pie-eating contest day, with the children’s contest (for ages up to 12) taking place at 12:45, followed by the adult contest (ages 13 and up) at 1 p.m. First prize wins a trophy. Registration for both contests is at 11 a.m. at the Home and Garden Tent. Pies are donated by Wemrock Orchards of Freehold. July 31 is also the day for the Antique & Classic Auto Show.

Admission is $7, ages 12 and under free. Free admission for senior citizens 65 and over on July 31. Parking is free. Admission does not include food and rides. Click here for more information, including full event listings for each day. Information about entering competitions can be found here.