newjerseynewsroom.com

Event, which was not held in '09, is moving to Allaire State Park

After a one-year hiatus, the "Spirit of the Jerseys State History Fair" will return to life on May 7 but in a new location at Allaire State Park in Farmingdale, Monmouth County.

"New Jersey has such a rich and important history, and played such a key role in the founding of our nation,'' state Environmental Protection Commission Bob Martin said. "We're pleased to bring back this annual event to engage our residents and allow them to experience and enjoy hundreds of years of our state's history in a suitable and enjoyable setting."

The History Fair was first held in 2004 to celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the creation of the New Jersey's historic sites system.

The free event was canceled this year at Washington Crossing State Park in Mercer County where it had been held since its inception. The state budget crunch was cited as the reason for the cancellation.

The fair is being revived through the joint sponsorship of the DEP's Office of Historic Sites and the non-profit Allaire Village Inc. Organizers believe the new venue at Allaire Historic Village will be a fitting site.

"There was so much interest from exhibitors and park visitors that we felt there was enough appeal to revive the fair,'' Beverly Weaver, supervisor of the DEP's Office of Historic Sites, said. "The fair helps cultivate the public's awareness of New Jersey's history in a lively, engaging way.''

The new setting at Allaire is well-known for its historic 19th century iron making town, the Howell Iron Works Company, and the antique train that runs through it on the Pine Creek Railroad. Also, the Manasquan River winds through the park, which is a habitat for a wide variety of wildflowers, trees, plants, birds and other wildlife.

Some groups, already registered to participate in the 2011 fair, include the Genealogical Society of New Jersey, the New Jersey State Archives, the Montclair Historical Society, the Alice Paul Institute, the New Jersey Civil War Heritage Association, the New Jersey Lighthouse Society, Monmouth Battlefield State Park, the New Jersey Scout Museum, the Egg Harbor City Historical Society and the Wool Merchant's Daughter.

Weaver also said visitors will be able to meet Civil War "veterans," observe open-hearth cooking and explore the craft of blacksmithing. There will be paranormal investigators from the Shore Paranormal Research Society of Toms River, who will detail work they have done at some historic locations in New Jersey.

Also among activities that visitors can experience is a period baseball game featuring the Flemington Neshanocks, a 19th century baseball club. They will play the Elizabeth Resolutes using 1864 rules. Players will wear uniforms and use equipment that reflects this time period.

The fair will be held from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.

For continuous updates on the 2011 Spirit of the Jerseys State History Fair, click here.

– TOM HESTER SR., NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM