Nine-year-old Mickleton resident Avery Doerrmann gets ready to ride her horse Poloma at the fair, with support from her mom, Ally Doermann, and her trainer, Evelyn Bowe, of Ferrell Farm stables in Mullica Hill.
Get to display their skills and poise on the Gloucester County Fairgrounds
The parking lot filled quickly with hundreds of vehicles for the final day of the annual Gloucester County 4-H Fair in Mullica Hill on July 30, as a three-day heat wave ended and the air was crisp.
There were plenty of activities for families at the four-day fair, including visiting and petting animals, a baby parade and crafters selling goods at the fairgrounds on Route 77.
Kylie Barcelo and Megan Ignacio enjoy a special moment with a pony at the Gloucester County 4-H fair on July 30.
The highlight of the day for young equestrians was a chance to display their skills during a series of events, including the Cloverbud exhibitions, the dressage and knock down-and-out competitions, and the Western Horse and Hunter shows.
Seven-year-old Adalee Stanton was all smiles as she warmed up with her horse, Princess, to ride in the Cloverbud walk/trot.
“This is so important for the youngsters,” her mom, Olivia Weick said. “They have been working really hard this summer for this show.”
Outside of the main ring, 9-year-old Mickleton resident Avery Doerrmann proudly perched on top of her horse, Poloma, to compete in the equestrian events. She was getting encouragement from her mom, Ally Doermann, and trainer, Evelyn Bowe, of the Ferrell Farm stables in Mullica Hill.
“Avery has been great to work with, and she’s learning a lot,” Bowe noted. “The 4-H Fair gives young riders the opportunity to showcase what they have learned, and they look forward to it each summer.”
Meanwhile, on a shaded lane with crafters and food vendors, visitors could learn about the new Rowan University Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine at its information booth.
The school’s large animal field service will begin in September, when certified veterinary teams will deliver care throughout South Jersey. They will be able to provide emergency and general preventive care and field surgery.
The fair’s four days of activities included horse shows, daily rides and games, magic shows, musical acts, tractor parades and craft exhibits. Visitors also celebrated the year-long projects of 4‑H child members and saw displays of their work throughout the fairgrounds.
And there were animals for the families to see – pigs, goats, cows, ponies, horses and more in three long stables.
