Briefs: Union County Fair, 4-H and Rock 'n' Run

This September, for the fifth year in a row, the Union County Fair will host the Rock On! Walkathon and 5K Rock ‘n’ Run. The proceeds will benefit two cancer organizations: the Love Hope Strength Foundation and The Valerie Fund. 

The fair is located at Oak Ridge Park in Clark and takes place over five days from Sept. 14-18. MusicFest runs each day of the fair and is a series of free outdoor concerts presented by Overlook Medical Center.

The Rock On! Walkathon and 5K Rock ‘n’ Run will take place Sept. 17. To sign up and get complete details visit uclovehopestrength.com, theucfair.org or ucmusicfest.org.

Love Hope Strength will also be hosting a bone marrow registry at fair. More than 1,000 fair-goers have joined the registry so far in previous years, resulting in 14 potentially lifesaving matches. Love Hope Strength was co-founded by Mike Peters of the Welsh rock band The Alarm, to help ensure that people in every community have access to quality cancer treatment and the best medication available.

Peters will perform at MusicFest on Sept. 17.

 The Valerie Fund was established in 1976 in memory of Valerie Goldstein, by her parents. It supports a network of seven centers for children with cancer and blood disorders in New Jersey. In addition to benefitting Love Hope Strength, the Union County Fair fundraisers will benefit the Valerie facility in Union County, located at Overlook Medical Center in Summit.

 For all Union County Fair updates including the Rock On! Walkathon, 5K Rock ‘n’ Run, and MusicFest, visit theucfair.org, ucmusicfest.org, or facebook.com/musicfest, or follow ucnjmusicfest on Twitter.

Calling all Gardeners 

The Union County Freeholder Board is inviting home gardening enthusiasts to show off their best tomatoes in the second annual Harvest Contest at the Union County Fair this fall. The biggest tomato will be just one of the prizewinners in several Harvest Contest categories, including a new Quick Bread category.

The Harvest Contest is sponsored by the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, supported in part by the Freeholder Board.

 The vegetable categories are heaviest tomato, heaviest zucchini, funniest looking undecorated vegetable, best character made from vegetables, and best pumpkin. All vegetables must be grown by the contestant.

On Saturday, visitors to the County Fair are invited to vote for the “People’s Choice Awards” for the funniest looking vegetable and the best vegetable character.   

Harvest Contest entrants and all visitors to the County Fair are also invited to enter for a chance to win a free rain barrel valued at $100, sponsored by Rutgers Cooperative Extension.

 Quick Bread entries will be judged on seven points including looks, texture, and flavor.

 All gardening and baking contestants receive a participation ribbon. Prizes will be awarded to first, second and third place entries.

 For complete Harvest Contest details including drop-off, judging, and pickup times, call RCE of Union County at 908-654-9854 for a free Harvest Contest brochure. To view the brochure online visit www.theucfair.org and follow the Events link to the Harvest Contest.

4-H Club Looking for Dog-Loving Volunteer

The Union County 4-H club program is looking for volunteers who love dogs and enjoy working with children, to lead the Union County 4-H Dog Club. The club helps children develop life skills while they learn about the care and training of dogs.

 The club leader will be assisted by another adult, and 4-H provides lesson plans and tips on helping children learn the basic skills. No prior teaching experience is required. Some experience with dogs is important but an expert or professional background is not required.

 The club is limited to eight members, in 4th through 6th grade. It meets one Saturday morning each month through the school year at the Union County Building at 300 North Avenue in Westfield.

Union County 4-H is a program of the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, supported in part by the Freeholder Board.

 To volunteer or to get more information, contact 4-H Agent James Nichnadowicz, 908-654-9854 or nichnadowicz@njaes.rutgers.edu.