The first time we braved the Burlington County Farm Fair was way back in 2019, and let me tell you—it left a mark (emotionally... and possibly on the stroller wheels). At the time, our oldest had just turned 6, and the youngest? A fresh 11 months old—aka, VIP stroller status, zero interest in rides, and 100% commitment to drooling on everything.
Fast forward a few years, and we went again when the oldest was 9 and the youngest was a very opinionated 3-year-old with some pretty strong thoughts on funnel cake distribution.
So yes... I've now done the Burlington County Farm Fair with a baby, a toddler, preschooler, and older kid. I've pushed strollers through grass, survived July heat, negotiated ride meltdowns, and somehow always leave with way more kettle corn than I intended.
If you're thinking about visiting this year's Burlington County Farm Fair, here's everything I'd tell a friend before they go. Hopefully it'll save you a few headaches—and maybe a little money, too.
2026 Farm Fair Dates & Times
The 80th Burlington County Farm Fair returns for five days of rides, food, animals, exhibits, entertainment, and family fun. Admission is FREE, so come for a few hours or make an evening of it!
Getting There & Parking
A quick rundown of where to park, what it costs, and the shuttle option so you can get to the fair with fewer “wait, where are we going?” moments.
📍1990 Jacksonville-Jobstown Road Columbus NJ 08022
You'll have three parking options this year:
Main Fair Parking Lot: $20/carload
- $20 per carload (Cash Only)
- Located directly across from the Farm Fair entrance, making it the most convenient option if you're bringing little ones, a stroller, or lots of gear.
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📍1990 Jacksonville Jobstown Rd, Columbus, NJ 08022 | See Google Maps GPS Pin Here
Columbus Farmers Market Parking Lot: $15/carload
- $15 per carload (Cash Only)
- Includes FREE shuttle service directly to the front gate.
- Shuttle service begins at 2:00 PM Tuesday–Friday and 12:00 PM on Saturday.
- If you're taking the shuttle, strollers and wagons must be collapsible so they can fit on the bus
- 📍2919 US-206 Columbus NJ | See Google GPS Pin Here
Multi-Day Parking Pass: $30/carload
- Planning to visit more than once? You can purchase a multi-day parking pass for $30, which is definitely the best value if you'll be making multiple trips.
My Mom Tip: f you've got toddlers, a stroller, diaper bags, snacks, and everything else that somehow comes along with leaving the house, I'd personally spend the extra $5 and park across the street if it's available. Sometimes convenience wins.
Military personnel with valid military ID also receive discounted parking -- $10 per day.
Accessible Parking: Handicapped-accessible parking is available in the Gate 1 Parking Lot near the Red Barn.
Before You Go...
These are all the little things I wish someone had told me before our first visit. Hopefully they'll make your day at the fair just a little easier!
If you've got a kid who still rides in a stroller, do yourself a favor and bring the jogging stroller. The fairgrounds are mostly grass and gravel, so anything with tiny wheels is going to struggle.
We made the rookie mistake of bringing our “fancy” umbrella stroller one year... yeah... regret. Hard.
Strollers double as pack mules. Load them up with water bottles, snacks, sunscreen, sweatshirts, stuffed animals... basically everything your kids suddenly decide they don’t want to carry.
If you're using the shuttle parking lot, remember that strollers and wagons must be collapsible before boarding.
July at the Farm Fair can be HOT. While there are tents and a few shaded spots throughout the fairgrounds, you'll spend a good amount of time walking in direct sun between rides, exhibits, vendors, and animal barns.
- 💧 Bring reusable water bottles and refill or rest when needed.
- 🧴 Apply sunscreen before you arrive and bring it to reapply throughout the day.
- 🧢 Hats and sunglasses can make a huge difference, especially for little ones.
- 🌳 Take advantage of tents, barns, and shaded areas when you need a break.
- 🥵 If you're visiting in the afternoon, plan for limited natural shade unless you're hanging under the tents.
Pack sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, reusable water bottles, and bug spray. The Farm Fair is exactly what it sounds like — a farm in July. Sunshine, grass, gravel, animals, and yes… bugs.
You know what’s everywhere at the fair? Germs. Ride handlebars, games, animals, snacks, picnic tables… it’s a full sensory experience.
I like to keep one sanitizer in my bag and another in the stroller. After rides, before snacks, after petting animals — quick little hand-sanitizing pit stops all day long.
There are porta-potties with handwashing stations too, if you’re more of a soap-and-water parent. Respect.
The Farm Fair is a little bit of a payment mix, so I always recommend bringing both cash and a card.
- Parking: $20 per carload in the main fair lot or $15 per carload at the Columbus Farmers Market with a free shuttle to the fair.
- Admission to the Fair: FREE
- Ride Credits & Wristbands: Cash or card. If paying with cash at the kiosks, bring exact change since the machines typically do not give change.
- Food Vendors: Varies by vendor
- Games: Usually cash
- Vendors: Mixed
Break larger bills before you go if you can. Having smaller bills makes games, snacks, and parking way easier.
The Burlington County Farm Fair has rides for just about every age—from gentle toddler rides to thrill rides that might have you questioning your life choices.
This was one of the biggest surprises for me because it wasn't consistent.
During our visits, some ride attendants let parents ride along for free to supervise a younger child, while others asked the parent to scan their own ride credits or have a wristband—even if they were only riding to chaperone.
My advice? If you've got an older sibling who's tall enough and comfortable riding with your little one, let them be the built-in ride buddy. That's exactly what we ended up doing!
If you don't have an older sibling to help, I'd recommend purchasing a few ride credits for yourself just in case you're asked to ride along.
If your child plans to ride more than six or seven rides, I'd just buy the wristband. It saves you from constantly checking your balance, reloading credits, and hearing "just one more ride!" every five minutes.
The Burlington County Farm Fair has way more happening than just rides and food! Every day features a different lineup of contests, demonstrations, animal shows, and family activities, so it's worth taking a minute to look at the schedule before you head over.
Trust me on this one—the Pig Races are seriously so much fun! If your kids want a good view, try to arrive about 10–15 minutes early because the crowd fills in quickly. Little ones can have a hard time seeing if you show up right before the race... unless being hoisted onto someone's shoulders is part of the plan. 😉
This is honestly one of my favorite additions for 2026.
The Burlington County Farm Fair has added a Sensory Tent for families who may need a quiet break from the crowds, music, rides, heat, and general fair chaos.
Even if your child doesn’t have sensory needs, anyone can get overwhelmed at a busy event. Having a quiet place to reset is such a thoughtful and inclusive addition.
It's easy to get caught up in the rides, but some of our favorite memories have actually come from wandering through the animal barns.
You'll find cows, sheep, goats, rabbits, chickens, and more, plus it's a great opportunity for kids to learn about agriculture and see farm animals up close.
The animal barns are also a nice break from the midway. They're often a little quieter, offer some shade, and are completely free to explore. Just always check the schedule to make sure they are open and operating on the day you visit.
Look, I love a funnel cake as much as the next sugar-deprived adult, and fried Oreos? Chef’s kiss.
But learn from me, a seasoned fairgoer and wallet survivor: don’t roll in starving. Fair food is fun, but it adds up fast.
Eat a real meal before you go, then let everyone pick a treat or two at the fair. Your wallet and your sanity will thank you.
Pro tip from a been-there-done-that parent: hit up the vendors, animals, exhibits, and activities first when you get there.
The rides usually keep spinning until closing, but vendors and some attractions may wrap up earlier. So if you want to check out the booths, animal areas, farm displays, or activities, do those before everyone is sweaty, sticky, and emotionally attached to the Ferris wheel.
Start with animals, exhibits, vendors, and scheduled activities. Then end with rides. That way, you aren’t trying to drag a sugar-powered child away from the midway to look at goats.
Enjoy the Farm Fair!
Honestly, we love the Burlington County Farm Fair. Every year it's one of those traditions our family looks forward to—whether we're cheering on the pig races, checking out the animal barns, riding the Ferris wheel, or just sharing a funnel cake together. I hope this guide helps make your visit a little easier so you can spend less time stressing about the details and more time making memories with your family. ❤️