THE COUNTY FAIR

I haven't been to my local county fair in decades.  Here in Burlington County, it's always been called The Farm Fair.

Southern New Jersey has a rich agricultural history.  Nothing personifies the nickname "The Garden State" more than having hundreds of local farm markets and roadside stands available to us all summer long for fresh-from-the-fields New Jersey strawberries, blueberries, apples, peaches, and of course our famous Jersey tomatoes and Jersey sweet corn.  And, even though they aren't typically available for purchase directly at the farm stands, most people would be stunned to see just how many cranberries are harvested in New Jersey every fall!

To me, there is nothing more all-American than a county fair in a rural community.  The Farm Fair is not only Burlington County's annual fair, but it's also a celebration of its farming heritage.  Visitors can enjoy the always-adored rides, fair games, and summer food, in addition to antique tractors and steam engines, local crafts, and livestock & farming displays.  If you know me, you know I go right for the more offbeat events, like the pig races, the tractor pull competition, and the skillet throwing contest.  Yep - how far can you toss a kitchen skillet?

I finally got back to the Farm Fair last year on a warm and slightly smokey (Canadian wildfire smoke) evening.  I brought my Hasselblad with a few rolls of Kodak Gold 120 and my F6 with some Portra 160.  I loved every minute of it!  The warm summer light, the brilliant colors, and especially the culture of local nostalgia all lent itself to shooting film for a night.  County Fairs and Kodak film - pure Americana!


I've lived in the heart of NJ farmlands all of my life.  Unfortunately over the years, I've watched many farms and orchards get turned into housing developments and strip malls; and now more recently, I'm seeing farm fields get horribly devastated into massive and obnoxious distribution warehouses surrounded by wide rings of inhospitable blacktop.  My hope is that some people, while enjoying The Farm Fair, can see past the carnival rides and games, and be reminded of the value and the need to preserve and support our farming roots.

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