"The soul becomes dyed with the color of its thoughts"

The East Freehold ShowGrounds host numerous events during the year such as equestrian events and dog shows. But the most renowned of its events is the Monmouth County Fair which has existed for the past 40 years. Residents of all 59 towns in Monmouth County as well as towns outside the county are welcome to come on down to enjoy rides, snacks, booths and shows.  With a ferris wheel that can be seen from miles away, people of all towns and backgrounds gleam at the thought of attending. As a Freehold resident, I feel blessed to have been so close to the fair action all these years. The location is truly special to me due to the fair being so close to my house and right next to my high school. Not to mention how safe it feels considering the police academy is just right down the street. In all my years of attending the fair with family and friends, I have grown with it. The previous years it was shut down due to Covid have made this year my first real experience of attending in quite some time. While I used to just hang around the different booths and eat carnival food, this year I was roped into jumping onto the rides by a few friends. Just as the fair has seen a new side of an older me after all these years, I was able to enjoy a different facet of the fair thanks to the encouragement of my friends. I feel as if all towns should have similar activities. It is thanks to these events that summertime is regarded as the best time of year. A time where everyone can forget their troubles, be outside and have fun amongst others to experience the little things in life. Whether those things include eating an ice cream cone before it melts, buying sloth socks at a booth, or getting that weightless feeling in your stomach on a carnival ride, each are cherished memories that I know I’ll carry forward through my life.