By JF Grodeska
They sneak into town under cover of darkness and, as if by magic, when you awake, it is there. Where once stood only a vacant lot or open space park, there is now a midway with games of chance, food vendors and a stage, surrounded by rides for the young and young at heart.
Carnivals – or fairs – are the harbinger of summer and harken back to those sultry days of youthful caprice. Every year they come to town to fascinate children and turn adults into 7-year-olds, if only for a few nights.
And, of course, don’t forget the food. Nothing says summer more than carnival eats – funnel cakes, ice cream, cotton candy, hot dogs, and fried food galore.
The annual fairs at both St. Leo the Great in Lincroft and St. Mary’s in Middletown are already over, but the Atlantic Highlands Fireman’s Fair kicked off July 2 and there is still time to enjoy the festivities. The fair runs from 6 to 11 p.m. through July 6. Visitors can expect rides like the Ferris wheel and teacups, games of chance, 50/50s, live music nightly, and live broadcasts from local radio stations like Thunder 106.3 and The Boss 107.1. The fireworks show will be held at 9:45 p.m. July 5 with a rain date July 6.
If you miss the Atlantic Highland’s Fireman’s Fair, don’t fret; there are plenty of other fairs, carnivals and street fairs in the area to get you through the summer and at the end of August, Fair Haven hosts its Firemen’s Fair, the largest in New Jersey. It is the fire department’s largest fundraiser and also serves as an “end-of-summer” party for the community and volunteers, with over 30 booths and activities. Food is a main component of the fair: it features a sit-down dining room offering seafood, burgers, hot dogs and much more. This year, the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. Aug. 26-29 and 6 to 11 p.m. Aug. 23, 24, 30 and 31.
Carnivals and fairs are not just events, they are magical expressions of community. They take a normal day and spin it into something amazing. Smiles become infectious and peals of laughter ring out through the balmy night alongside screams of joy from those daring to ride on the roller coaster. It is a place to forget the burdens of adulthood and to be a child, full of wonder, even if only for a few hours.
The article originally appeared in the July 4 – July 10, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
