The 2014 carnival list will be posted at NJ-Carnivals.com! Check it out, and make sure to bookmark!
NJ State Fair (2011)
It’s that time of the year again! Here’s a list of notable fairs and carnivals in and around New Jersey for 2012.
If you know about a medium to large carnival (ie. with adult thrill rides and not just kiddie rides/inflatable attractions) that isn’t listed here that’s within the area, please drop a comment about it and I’ll try to add it. This list will be updated throughout the spring and summer, so make sure to check back!
New Jersey (2012 list)
- Bound Brook FD Carnival; Bound Brook NJ: May 8 – May 12
- Burlington County Farm Fair; Springfield Twp, NJ: July 18 – July 21
- Corpus Christi Parish Carnival: Chatham, NJ: June 7 – June 9 (Trip Report)
- Cumberland County Fair; Millville, NJ: July 2 – July 7
- Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair; Fair Haven, NJ: August 24 – September 1
- Feast of Mount Carmel Fair Italian Festival; Hammonton, NJ: July 11 – July 16
- Feast of Saint Anthony Festival; South Plainfield, NJ: June 5 – June 9 (Trip Report)
- Freedom Fest Fair; Allentown, NJ: July 10 – July 15
- Holy Spirit Parish Carnival; Pequannock, NJ: June 12 – June 16
- Holy Trinity Carnival; Hackensack, NJ: May 1 – May 5
- Hunterdon County 4-H Fair; Ringoes, NJ: August 22 – August 26
- Immaculate Conception Parish Festival; Annandale, NJ: June 20 – June 24
- Italian-American Festival; North Brunswick, NJ: July 18 – July 22
- Kearny VFW Annual Carnival; Kearny, NJ: April 4 -9 , April 12 – 15
- Leonia Sports Boosters Carnival; Leonia, NJ (at Overpeck Park): September 19 – September 23
- Livingston UNICO Carnival; Livingston, NJ: May 16 – May 20
- Madison Rotary Festival; Florham Park, NJ: May 31 – June 3
- Manisquan Fireman’s Fair; Manisquan, NJ: July 31 – August 4
- Mercer County Italian American Festival; West Windsor, NJ: September 27 – September 30
- Middlesex County Fair; East Brunswick, NJ: August 6 – August 12 (Trip Report)
- Middlesex Fireman’s Carnival; Middlesex, NJ: April 23 – April 28 (Trip Report)
- Monmouth County Fair; Freehold, NJ: July 25 – July 29
- Morris County 4-H Fair; Chester, NJ: July 19 – July 22
- Mount Olive Carnival & Community Week; Flanders, NJ: July 11 – July 15
- New Jersey State Fair; Augusta, NJ: August 3 – August 12 (Trip Report)
- North Brunswick Youth Sports Festival; North Brunswick, NJ: June 14 – June 24 (Trip Report)
- North Jersey DARE Carnival; Paramus, NJ: May 31 – June 10
- Ocean County Fair; Berkeley, NJ: July 10 – July 15
- Ocean Township Italian Festival (Facebook); Oakhurst, NJ: August 8 – August 12
- Our Lady of Mount Carmel Festival; Berkeley Heights, NJ: July 12 – 16 (Fireworks July 16, 11pm)
- Our Lady of Peace Country Fair: New Providence, NJ: May 16 – May 19 (Trip Report)
- Our Lady of the Valley Festival; Wayne NJ: May 14 – May 19
- Ridgefield Carnival; Veterans Park Ridgefield NJ: April 25 – 29
- Sea Bright Fireman’s Fair; Sea Bright, NJ: May 17 – May 20
- State Fair Meadolwands; East Rutherford, NJ: June 22 – July 8 (Trip Report)
- St Anthony’s Church Carnival (PDF file); Hawthorne NJ June 13 – June 16
- St. Bartholomew’s Italian Festival; Scotch Plains, NJ: August 31 – September 3
- St. Mary Star of the Sea Church Fair; Bayonne, NJ: April 10 – April 15
- St. Mary’s Fair; Middletown, NJ: June 25 – June 30
- St Matthias Parish Carnival; Somerset, NJ: May 15 – May 20
- St. Phillip & James Carnival; Phillipsburg, NJ: May 2 – May 6
- St. Virgil’s Church Carnival; Morris Plains, NJ: May 9 – May 12
- Warren County Chamber of Commerce Spring Festival; Hackettstown, NJ: May 3 – 6
- Warren County Farmers’ Fair; Phillipsburg, NJ: July 28 – August 4
- Warren Lions Expo; Warren, NJ: June 13 – June 16 (Trip Report)
Southern New York
Great Allentown Fair (2011)
- Brookhaven Fair; Farmingville, NY: May 25 – June 10 (weekends only)
- Dutchess County Fair; Rhinebeck, NY: August 21 – August 26
- Hudson Valley Fair; Fishkill, NY: May 6 – May 22 (Fri-Sat-Sun only)
- Kings County Fair; Brooklyn, NY: May 27 – May 28
- Nassau County Strawberry Festival; Bellmore, NY: May 30 – June 3
- Orange County Fair; Middletown, NY: July 13 – July 29
- Staten Island Mall Carnival; Staten Island, NY; May 31 – June 10
- Ulster County Fair; New Paltz, NY: July 31 – August 5
- Yorktown Grange Fair; Yorktown Heights, NY: September 6 – September 9
Eastern Pennsylvania
- Doylestown Oktoberfest; Doylestown, PA; TBA (doubtful this is happening but we’ll see)
- Goshen Country Fair; Goshen, PA: July 30 – August 4
- Great Allentown Fair; Allentown, PA: August 28 – September 3
- Hatboro Summer Fun Festival; Hatboro, PA: May 25 – June 2 (Fireworks June 1st)
- Morrisville Rotary Carnival; Morrisville, PA: May 15 – May 20
- Northeast Fair Pittston, PA: June 19 – June 24
- Second Alarmers Rescue Squad Carnival; Abington, PA: May 8 – May 12
- Wayne County Fair Honesdale, PA; August 3 – August 11
35 Comments
Here are the dates of our eastern PA shows for the Spring.
Second Alarmers Rescue Squad Carnival, Abington, PA May 8 – 12, 2012
Morrisville Rotray Carnival, Morrisville, PA May 15 – 20, 2012
Hatboro Summer Fun Festival, Hatboro, PA May 25 – June 2, 2012 (Fireworks June 1)
I will send yopu our fall dates when they are finalized.
Thanks,
Bill George
Pennypack Entertainment
Thanks Bill! I’ve added them to the list.
Thank you. BTW: I forgot to give you the web address for the Seond Alarmers Carnival. http://www.sars.org/carnival
Thanks so much.
Hey there Brian, can u add this upcoming fair in Bayonne, NJ?
—St. Mary Star of the Sea Church Fair – Bayonne, NJ: April 10 – 15— (Less Than 2 Weeks Away!) 😀
Thanks 🙂
Added. Thanks for the heads up!
No prob. Btw, there will be the 1st stop in the 2012 season for Blue Sky’s newly-refurbished “Zipper”! U might wanna head over there and check it out, unless u want to wait a month for it to come to the OLP fair next month (hopefully)
Oh and forgot the link to the source for St. Mary’s Fair this weekend.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/St-Mary-Star-of-the-Sea-Church-Bayonne-NJ/153598898023094?id=153598898023094&_rdr#!/event.php?eid=286032744796273&__user=100000376254218
Some up coming NJ Dates:
Ridgefield Carnival – April 25-29th Veterans Park Ridgefield NJ
Warren County Chamber of Commerce Spring Festival Hackettstown NJ May 3-6
Holy Trinity Carnival – Hackensack NJ – May 1st – 5th
Bound Brook FD Carnival – Bound Brook NJ – May 8-12
St. Virgils Church Carnival – Morris Plains NJ May 9 -12
Sea Brite FD Carnival – Sea Brite NJ – May 17-20
NY DateS:
Nassau County Strawberry Festival – Bellmore NY May 30- June 3rd
Thanks Mike, I’ve added them all to the list.
UPDATE from BSA on Facebook: “Unfortunately the Zipper will not appear at St. Mary’s this year. It’s still in the process of refurbishment. Remaining parts have not yet arrived, and waiting. Will keep you updated!”
Hey, I got another fair for the list! 🙂
D.A.R.E. is hosting a carnival at the Westfield Garden State Plaza in Paramus, NJ from May 30 to June 10!
I called the event manager for the dates and which traveling carnival company they’ll have over there. And it’s with
Reithoffer Shows. 🙂 (hopefully they’ll have my fave ride there)
The link for more info:
http://www.darenj.com/events.asp
-Robert “-Zipper- Addict” Mata 🙂
Thanks again Robert! I just added it and updated some of the TBA dates while I was at it.
@ DoD3Brian
No prob. Hey Are U Planning To Attend The -Our Lady Of Peace- Fair this year? And here’s the photo of Blue Sky’s newly refurbished “Zipper” that will be there this year.
http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/470678_435740003105073_125286720817071_1662695_1953396033_o.jpg
It didn’t look like it was refurbished much, just the color change on the outer cages. But looks pretty good 🙂
I actually just went last night lol. The Zipper looked really nice I thought and even seemed to be a bit quieter then most other Zipper rides I’ve seen.
They lowered the noise on it? Aw that sucks. But looking forward to riding it with my lil nephew (He’s “Craving” to ride a “Zipper” Badly as much as I do lol)
And I’m ‘”training” myself like a “Naruto” ninja right now to ride it too, as it will be my 1st Ride/”Fight” on “Zipper” of 2012!! xD
-Wish Me Luck! 🙂
-Robert “-Zipper- Lovin Ninja” Mata aka “Neji Hyuga”
Well I think the new parts made it less loud. I can’t really say it’s quiet, it’s a Zipper after all, but compared to other models it seems like there’s less of a rattling noise.
Also, just a little tip, if you have a tough time parking by the fair try the adjacent high school lots or the New Providence Community Pool parking lot. Both have lots of spots and the pool parking lot rarely fills up all the way if the high school lots are all taken up. It’s a short walk to the fair from both places.
Oh, I meant the sound of its motors. Though, I agree with ya. 🙂
And thanks for the parking advice. it doesn’t matter, I like to walk a short distance between the fair and parking lot. I’ll make a note on that. 🙂
Was that you taking pics of the wheel on Wednesday night around 8-830?
Think I also saw you on your bike taking pics when we were setting up
Might have been, I think I got there around 8:30 or so that night. Guy on the bike was almost certainly me though.
You might see me hanging around there later on actually.
Like I told you in face book.. A refurbishment is more then just paint. The ride received all new bushings for the bracing and hbars, new k bar braces,, new telecopes(the pieces the cages hang on ) all new pins for the whole ride, all new hardware. All 4 motors were removed and rebuilt but hey color change and pretty lights (which we put all LED ligting on it as well) is all that matters I guess
Ah, ok I get it. Those are very nice additions to the ride u’ve made. Sounds like u guys made the ride more enjoyable, Safer, and more BEAUTIFUL than before! 🙂 Thanks for giving me that additional info. 🙂 I hope to see u, and the New “Zipper” at the OLP Academy in New Providence this Saturday! 🙂
Immaculate Conception Church in Annandale will host its 11th Annual Parish Festival from June 20th-24th. Majestic Midways will transform the grounds into a magnificent playground complete with rides for all ages. Over 16 rides including some great ones for the thrill seekers. Paladin Amusements will bring awesome games for some extra excitement. There will be TWO FIREWORKS displays one on June 20th & one on June 23rd with a raindate of June 24th. We will have two wristband days one on June 21st and one on June 24th. Also featuring, nightly entertainment, fine food, raffles and a Tricky Tray. There will also be a Super 50/50 drawn on June 24th tickets are $2.00 each with a promise of winning a percentage of the gross proceeds. We will also be raffling off a Vacation Raffle Gift Certificate valued at $2000, a Nikon SLR Digital Camera Package, a Weber Grill, an Apple iPad, Disney Passes, tickets to One Direction and much more.
Easy to access off of Routes 78, 22 & 31. Follow the Ferris Wheel
For additional information: call 908-735-7319 or 908-735-9564
Just for Robert—-we will have the ZIPPER!
Hmmmm, I wish I could be there. But it looks pretty far from where I live (Elizabeth, NJ) I’m not entirely sure if I’ll make it there also. I know the one fair that’s closest to me for my birthday (I’m turning 22 this June 24th!) and that will Also Have My Fave Ride (Yes, “Zipper”) is -State Fair Meadowlands-. (They had it last year, and speaking with the President of the fair about them having it again this year) And they also do Unlimited Ride specials throughout the entire fair (June 22nd – July 8 with fireworks on July 3rd and 4th). There is also another fair in North Brunswick, NJ that’ll do that too, but I’m quite unsure of the name. I’ll have to look that up.
Though I thank you for providing me the information. Again I’m just not sure if I’ll make it there that day.
-Thank You.
Robert -“ZIPPER” Lovin’ Leaf Ninja- Mata aka “Neji Hyuuga” of the Hyuuga Clan
PS. “Majestic Midways” will also do another fair near me next month. I’ll have to find out about that too.
Oh hey, yeah Here It Is! Majestic will be playing at this year’s Burlington County Farm Fair in Columbus, NJ (just one exit over 7A on the NJ Turnpike) Looks like I’ll be going to this one, hopefully they’ll have the Zipper there (as they did last year) Here’s the link to the fair for more info about it.
http://burlingtoncountyfarmfair.com/
Runs from July 18 to the 21st
And sorry I was a lil bit late to tell you this, I just found out now.
I already have it on the list, all those Zipper rides must be getting to you. lol It’s in Springfield Twp. NJ though, they moved apparently.
@ DoD3Brian
Heyy! When it comes to livin’ life as a “Naruto” ninja, you know that the Zipper is my #1 fave ride to “fight”, don’t you agree? Plus their leather padding is so comfortable. (not to get too personal with the details, hehe) I’m going there tonight and try out Majestic’s ride this year.
And Reithoffer’s Orange Unit is doing N. Brunswick, NJ again this weekend. I believe it’s called the “Italian-American Fest” (never heard of it) but not sure if my ride will be there also. Plus I kinda don’t know where exactly in N. Brunswick will it be. But oh well, I’m not planning to go to both fairs in one night 2night, like i did with South Plainfield (Dreamland) and the Staten Island Mall (Reithoffer – Blue Unit) in the past month.
@FestivalQueen
I’ll Be There This Year! 🙂
There is a great carnival in Mount Olive starting Wednesday, July 11, 2012 and running through Sunday, July 15, 2012 (with Fireworks on Saturday July 14, 2012. Definately worth going too! It will be at Turkey Brook Park.
Hey there Brian..Long time no talk!
I have another fair you could add to this list… Though I found out about it just now.
It’s the Mercer County Italian-American Festival at Mercer County Park.
It runs from September 27th through the 30th and Majestic Amusements will have their rides there.. Hopefully their “Ring Of Fire” and “Zipper” will be there as well.
And it may be…. THE LAST FAIR OF 2012 IN NJ!
Here’s the website for more info:
http://www.italianamericanfestival.com
I was at a Majestic spot in Scotch Plains earlier in the month and they had Ring of Fire but not Zipper. They did have a Sky Diver though. Of course the lot didn’t have a lot of room so that could be why some of their other rides weren’t there.
Oh, I have heard of that particular spot in Scotch Plains, though I’ve never gone there. Perhaps next year I hope. But sucks that they didn’t include the Zipper. Well, I don’t have to worry because all of Majestic’s rides will be there this weekend. And I’m not going alone either. I’ve had this planned with my best friend but he then canceled on Monday. So, I asked my nephew if he can..hopefully. But yeah, I’m really having the “craving” the “fight” the Zipper like a ninja this Saturday lol. Oh, and there will be fireworks there on Saturday night also. 🙂
Plus, I really craving to ride their Ring of Fire, which it Did Not appear at this year’s State Fair Meadowlands like it had in the past. Idk why..
WELL…THAT’S IT, Carnival Ride “junkies”! It’s October, and the 2012 Carnival Season is OVER for NJ (NY? PA?) and another Long winter season is just ahead. Have a nice, safe and healthy Fall and Winter this year. There’ll be more fun with carnival rides in Spring -2o1E-! (backwards “3”)