Our annual reprise about what it really means to experience all that’s fair for a Fair Haven kid …
There are a lot of significant beginnings and endings this time of the year. The end of summer. The beginning of locals’ summer. The start of school — new chapters and first days.
But, what about the middle? The end of the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair has always brought me, and many a “fair” kid, back to that middle haven. It’s home.
Continue reading Fair Remembrance: All’s Fair in the MiddleThe following piece was originally published on Aug. 31, 2015. It is being re-run, with changes only in the amount of years that have passed, in memory of my father, Bill Van Develde, former longtime Fair Haven Fire Company member, president and captain of the Fire Police and chairman of the Stock Room at the fair, on the anniversary of his death on Aug. 30, 1983. RIP, Dad. You are missed. Thank you for all the embarrassing moments that I didn’t appreciate enough. Thank you for making Fair Haven my home. Thank you for being a real dad. See you on the fair grounds …
By Elaine Van Develde
It’s been 42 years, but I can still see his face and that kooky Brylcreemed hairdo. I can still hear his crazy belly laugh and that signature “Take ‘er easy, buddy!” I can still see him slapping kids on the back, forever clutching his trusty clipboard, pencil perched behind his ear, sweat on the brow and finger wagging.
Continue reading Remembering My Fair DaddyThe Charleston, flying trapeze artists, the Zipper or not, the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair has been an end-of-summer tradition since its inception in 1921. Yes, some things never change — like the fair’s core of community legacy.
Yes, legacy. It’s a concept that those lacking a sense of community and connection in their souls just don’t get. Their loss. And it’s a big one.
Continue reading Old News: Fair Firemen, 10-Cent Charlestons, Ponies, Carousels, Spin Art and Flying Geraldos With the weekend that ends summer, Labor Day weekend, there will be two separate DWI checkpoints in Monmouth County running from Friday night through Sunday morning, The Monmouth County DWI Task Force announced.
Continue reading Two DWI Checkpoints Set for Labor Day Weekend 
Reprise in honor of Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair week and what used to be called Firemen’s Night, now Emergency Responders’ Night, which was last night …
Well, the fair is on and nothing has stopped it yet.
A tradition within the fair tradition is Firemen’s Night. Fire departments from across the state flock to the fair, most with reps riding into town on their towns’ fire trucks. It happens annually on Wednesday night of the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair.
So, the Retro Pic of the Day offers a glimpse into Firemen’s Night 10 years ago, in 2015, with a photo of guys and gals from the neighboring Rumson Fire Department.
A big thank you to all our volunteer firefighters!
Recognize anyone in this crew? Have you thanked a firefighter today?
These daily stories, photos, looks back and tributes on R-FH Retro are brought to you courtesy of supporters. If you like R-FH Retro, keep the site going by sponsoring more. Click here to donate any amount you wish. Contact me for an ad or sponsorship at evd@rfhretro.com. Thank you!
It used to be called Firemen’s Night. It was the night when firemen from all over the state rode in to the fairgrounds at the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair on their firetrucks amid a flurry of blaring sirens and flashing lights.
Continue reading Focus: Fair Faces of Firemen’s Night 
The following piece was originally published on Aug. 27, 2015. It’s fair time again, so it’s time to take a look back at how things were and are done a pivotal place at the fair — the kitchen and dining room.
By Elaine Van Develde
Someone’s in the kitchen at Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair grounds.
And while they may have, at one point another been with someone named Dinah, as the old ditty goes, it’s a definite they’ve been with someone named Mike, Dale, Sue (x2), Raquel, Ethel (x2), Mary, Anne, Amanda, Skippy, Hodgie, Mary Ellen, Joe, Evie, and, oh, yeah, Andy and a few others.
And they certainly haven’t been strummin’ on any ol’ banjo. They’ve been way too busy — cutting, peeling, filling, flouring, husking and just plain cooking.
Except there’s nothing plain about what’s cooking in the fair kitchen, who’s cooking it, when, where, why or how.
It’s just about back-to-school time in Rumson. That means it’s time to orient the incoming students to what will be their new school experience.
Continue reading Scene Around: Readying for Middle School in Rumson 
There’s nothing better, or more carnival apropos, to kick off the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair than a parade. And, back in the day, like the ’60s or early ’70s day, it happened.
Continue reading Retro Little Folk Singin’ Fair Ladies 
It’s Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair time! With the fair, of course, comes goodies. Confections. Fair food. One favorite that hasn’t made a comeback is the candy apple. So, we look back and reminisce about a fair treat and tradition gone with this “back by popular demand” reprise and a little addition …
How do you like them apples? If the name fits, you know … And it did. She may not have been the actual boss lady of the booth, but perhaps we could call her the Big Dipper? I mean, who better to one of those at the helm the candy apple operation at the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair than a woman named Candy — Candy Bennett?
The Retro Pic of the Day offers a glimpse back to fair days in 1969 with yet another fair family affair at another booth — the candy apple booth (a corner of the Outback, or what used to be called just the hot dog booth).
Continue reading Retro Fair Candy Apple DazeHe is now in “that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” Gone but not forgotten, a special man who touched the lives of many and left his mark upon us all.
Little Silver resident, Thomas Allmond Kennedy, formerly of Wilmington, DE, Brooklyn, NY, and Rhosllanerchrugog, Wales, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 23, at home.
Continue reading In Memoriam: Little Silver Resident, Thomas Allmond Kennedy Summer skies have cleared, humidity is low and it’s the weather is perfect for some Rumson river time and a few end-of-summer wins down the road at the Fair Haven Firemen’s Fair.
Continue reading Focus: Rumson River Daze & Weather for the Week Ahead 
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