Gen Z keeps the fair running

From volunteering with 4-H, to Dairy Princess and Queen of the Fair, local teens work hard to make the fair possible.

“We also have many teenagers volunteering at the various non-profits that set up booths,” said fair president Joan Snook Smith.

One of those is Joey Holdt. When he was 16, Holdt volunteered at the fair’s Knights of Columbus booth. “After that first year volunteering with the Knights of Columbus, it led me to work there at the fair every year and meet some great people,” said Holdt.

Older generations are happy to see young volunteers take the reigns.

“This fosters a sense of community and the value of giving back without expecting anything in return,” said Tiffany Kunz, president of the fair’s Horse Show. Kuntz has volunteered with the fair for over a decade.

“With the social media and distractions out there, this is of particular importance at the teen age.”

Dairy Princess

Cadence Boyd, 18, is turning in her crown as the fair’s 2024 Dairy Princess.

“Being Dairy Princess over the past year has been a really cool experience,” Boyd said. “I so enjoyed being able to talk to others about farming and the dairy industry, specifically children, because they are so curious and aren’t afraid to ask questions.”

She said helping out during fair week was a major highlight. She loved talking to fairgoers about the dairy industry, handing out awards at the Dairy Shows and working the milking parlor.

“Agriculture plays a huge part in our fair,” added Boyd. “I am so thankful that I was able to be a part of it and encourage other teens to get involved as well.”

The Agricultural Ambassador

Seventeen-year-old Amelia Murphy was just four years old when she first became involved with the fair.

“I entered a few of my chickens in the Kid’s Open Poultry Show and have been exhibiting animals and various other projects every year since,” she said.

Murphy joined the Sussex County Capricians 4-H Club nine years ago, and is now the club vice president and volunteers as a runner for the 4-H Market Animal Sale.

This year, Murphy was named the New Jersey State Fair Agricultural Ambassador. She helps with fundraisers to get ticket packages for local families who otherwise would not be able to attend the fair.

“I am the fifth generation of a Sussex County farming family in Wantage, and the fair has always been the highlight of my summer,” said Murphy. “I also look forward to educating, advocating and encouraging fairgoers to appreciate and support agriculture in Sussex County.”

“After all, the name of the fair is Sussex County Farm and Horse Show,” she added. “It’s not about spending all your time at the carnival. I don’t even like going over there.”

4-H volunteers

Brianna Strada has been involved with the 4-H Squealers Club since she was young. Now 16, she loves animals and plans to have a farm one day. The Squealers Club raises pigs and shows them at the fair.

“To show your pigs, you parade them around a ring and they are judged,” she said.

One year, one of her all time favorite pigs, Marshmello, sold for $4,000.

Eleanor Posthumus, 14, is another teen volunteering with 4-H as part of its Marketing Pig Club. This year she will be showing her two pigs: Betty and Annie. She loves pitching in at the family farm, Hog Crazy, which is a part of the fair each year. This year, they will be showing their mama pig and her piglets.

“You reap what you sow, make hay while the sun shines and don’t forget to never count your chickens before they hatch,” said Posthumus.

Queen of the Fair

Every year, each Sussex County town holds a preliminary pageant to select a contestant to compete for Queen of the Fair.

“I think the Queen of the Fair is a great rural tradition that helps increase pride for local residents,” said Ursula Leo, past Queen of the Fair, and current committee chair of the pageant. “Girls get to highlight their accomplishments and practice speaking before a large crowds. The accomplishments of the girls each year are amazing, and they go on to do such great things.”

Chaya Orlega was crowned last August at age 19 after qualifying for the pageant as Miss Lafayette.

“I decided to compete for Miss Lafayette because I love my town and wanted to be able to represent it for the year if I was chosen Queen,” said Orlega. “The Queen of the Fair competition encourages you to be confident in yourself ... At the end of the day, the competition gave me a cohort of really amazing girls that inspire me.”

Throughout the year as queen, Orlega attended parades and crowned the new Miss Lafayette.

“My most ardent wish is that I inspired at least one person throughout my time as Queen,” she said “To the best of my knowledge I am the first Hispanic, Indigenous, and Jewish Queen of the Fair, I hope someone has seen, met, or heard of me and been inspired.”