Thousands of visitors filled the four-block area on Main Street and adjoining streets enjoying the international variety of cuisines served up by different organizations at the 47th Annual Metuchen Country Fair, Saturday October 2, 2010. Close to two hundred booths competed in a booth-decorating contest to reflect this year’s theme – “Countries of the World”. This year’s attendance seemed to trump the past years. Main Street was packed!

There were all sort of activities offered up by the booths – homemade crafts, face painting, and games of chance or skill were most fun. The Metuchen Public Library in cooperation with Friends of the Library hosted a book sale offering real bargains on great books. Seen on the intersection of Main and New Streets were the Alborada Spanish Dance Theatre, St. Joseph High School’s musical ensemble, Metuchen Dance Centre, Black Belt Institute including the Kung Fu Lion Dance, Ms. Doreen’s Fabulous Feet, Strauss Performing Arts, and the Forum Theatre.

This year’s entertainment featured the band, “The Spidermonkeys“, performing classic rock and blues. For the second year, the fair also served as a Community Food Drive. People brought donations of canned or packaged goods to help replenish the supply of food for the local food pantries that service Metuchen and Edison residents.

The Annual Metuchen Country Fair was started by community leader Marty Jessen as an outgrowth of the New Jersey 300th Anniversary Celebration in 1964 and continues to be a very special day in Metuchen. It gives us all a chance to visit with friends and neighbors we may not have seen in a long time, and it shows out-of-towners what a very unique town Metuchen is. Mr. Jessen, Ms. Katherine Liseno, and employees of the Metuchen Savings Bank, work as a team, arriving early in the day to prepare Main Street for the two hundred booths that are made available to charitable, religious, political and social groups from Metuchen and the surrounding area. For many of these groups, the fair serves as a major fundraising opportunity. It is also open to members of the Metuchen Area Chamber of Commerce.

Miss Doreen’s Fabulous Feet – “Dancers in Costumes from Countries Around the World”

Community Presbyterian Church – “International Theme Game”

Garden Club of Metuchen – “World Garden Shop”

We have tons more photos on our facebook page. Click here to view the complete photo gallery of our coverage of the 47th Metuchen Country Fair!


View photos from the 46th Metuchen Country Fair (2009)


47th Annual Metuchen Country Fair Winners Announced

Monetary prizes of first, second, third place and honorable mention were awarded to participants for originality and execution of theme, as well as special youth group awards. Volunteers from the community served as judges for the booth decorating contest. Congratulations are extended to this year’s winning groups:

CATEGORY: ORIGINALITY

1st Place ($250.00) Metuchen Youth Services Board – “International Zoo”
2nd Place ($100.00) Metuchen Edison Women’s Club – “Ticket Booth”
3rd Place ($50.00) Rotary Club of Metuchen – “World Services”
Honorable Mention ($25.00) Metuchen High School Project Graduation – “Flat Stanleys”

CATEGORY: EXECUTION OF THEME

1st Place ($250.00) Terra Nova Garden Club – “Asian Theme”
2nd Place ($100.00) Community Presbyterian Church – “International Theme Game”
3rd Place ($50.00) Edison Sheltered Workshop – “Paper Dolls in Costume”
Honorable Mention ($25.00) Garden Club of Metuchen – “World Garden Shop”

CATEGORY: SPECIAL YOUTH GROUP AWARD

1st Place ($250.00) Metuchen High School Class of 2013 – “Made In China Game”
2nd Place ($100.00) Girl Scouts of Metuchen, Edison & Highland Park – “Girl Scouts Around The World”
3rd Place ($50.00) Metuchen High School Class of 2011 – “South African Safari”
Honorable Mention ($25.00) Metuchen High School Class of 2014 – “Irish Theme Game”

CATEGORY: CHAMBER MEMBER CONTRIBUTING THE MOST TO THE SPIRIT OF THE FAIR

Special Plaque Miss Doreen’s Fabulous Feet – “Dancers in Costumes from Countries Around the World”