A Covid-19 Era Break in Tradition: Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair Cancelled

The historic, unprecedented news came on Tuesday night. For the third rare time in more than a century, the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair 2020 has been cancelled.

The only other times the fair was halted were during the years of world wars and a change in gaming laws in the 1950s. Other than those times, the fair grounds, in various borough locations over the years, have been flush with not only residents, but people from all over the state and out of state for the second largest fair of any kind in New Jersey.

The fair, as it is commonly called by locals, has been long known as an annual end-of-summer rite of passage in the Rumson-Fair Haven area: a reunion spot, a meeting place among friends and volunteers, a niche where high school seniors say goodbye before heading off to college, a borough before-school year meet-up spot to connect with other students and teachers, and, mostly, a hometown emotional tie for many.

Fair Haven Fire Department President Jim Cerruti delivered the news.

Here’s what he said …

Dear Fair Haven Community,

It is with great regret that we are announcing that the 2020 Fireman’s Fair is cancelled. This was not an easy decision but one that had to be made for the safety and well being of our members, volunteers, vendors, and all the people who visit the Fair to support our Fire Company.

There are ongoing discussions about holding a Super 50-50 raffle and we are reviewing all the options to be able to do this. Also, look forward to us asking all of you to share your memories, stories and photos of past Fairs as we approach what would have been our Fair week. A virtual experience will never replace the Outback, the Zipper, the Clam Chowder or the Ferris Wheel, but we look forward to your stories!

On behalf of all our membership and all our Fair volunteers, we look forward to seeing everyone soon, and before you know it, we will be right back at it for the 2021 Fair!

Jim Cerruti, FHFD President

Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect will update this story as further information becomes available.