FAMILY-FRIENDLY ENTERTAINMENT AT THE STATE FAIR

Among the many offerings for summer fun is State Fair Meadowlands at Giants Stadium Fairgrounds, held every summer in the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, NJ. New Jersey’s largest, annual family-friendly event will run daily from June 22 through July 9.

With new rides, acts, food, and promotional nights already scheduled for this year’s fair, this event is expected to be the most attended summer event in New Jersey and the ultimate kickoff to summer. Changing dramatically over the past three years, the fair has grown into the area’s premiere summer event featuring over 150 rides and attractions plus 100 food and craft vendors and plenty of free entertainment.

New and exciting free acts for 2006 include:

The World Renowned Jabali Acrobats From Kenya; Coronas Circus Hollywood; and Buffo — The World’s Strongest Clown.

The Jabali Acrobats is one of three new featured acts that are sure to electrify crowds. Originating in Mombassa, Kenya, talented theatrical  frican acrobats will provide the audience with a traditional variety of arts and circus skills.

Coronas Circus Hollywood has assembled an array of international daredevils, animal trainers, clowns, aerialists and acrobats.

Bringing a whole new dimension to “clowning around” is this year’s new family entertainer, Buffo – The World’s Strongest Clown. This gentle giant weighs over 200 pounds and has biceps that are bigger than most men’s thighs.

The Jabali Acrobats, Coronas Circus Hollywood and Buffo are all included free with admission. These acts will be performing daily. In addition to the free entertainment, opening weekend of the fair (June 23 through 25) will feature a variety of preview weekend specials including the exclusive “Buy one hand stamp, get one 1/2 price.” A $19.99 Unlimited Ride Hand Stamp (valued at $40) allows a patron unlimited rides from open to close in the Carnival Midway (admission additional). New this year is also “Free For All Monday,” where all admission is free of charge and the $19.99 Unlimited Ride Hand Stamp is available. This year will also feature special promotional nights, including “Grandparents Day,” “Patron Appreciation Day,” and fireworks display on July 3 and July 4.

Visit www.njfair.com or call 973-450-1070 for information, additional promotions and discounts.

YMCA OFFERS SUMMER TRIAL MEMBERSHIP AND COLLEGE SPECIAL

What better way to begin an exercise program than starting with a short-term summer membership at the Y. Take advantage of the Summit Area YMCA’s once-a-year opportunity to reap the benefits of all of the Y’s health and wellness programs for you and your family.

Now through July 3. Join any branch of the Summit Area YMCA (Berkeley Heights, Springfield or Summit), and get all the benefits of full membership at a reduced rate. At the end of summer, when the membership expires, you will have the opportunity to become a full member with a savings a 50% off the regular joining fee.

College student home for summer break? Take out summer membership at any Y branch and receive a special reduced rate for a one, two or three month membership. College students must show proof of full time status.

The Summit Area YMCA is open 7 days a week and offers fitness centers, gymnasium sports and recreation activities, family swim time, group exercise classes, fitness evaluations, personal training, nutrition lectures, massage and babysitting.

For more information contact membership services at Summit YMCA, 67 Maple Street, 908-273-3330; Springfield YMCA, 100 S. Springfield Avenue, 973-467-0838; Berkeley Heights YMCA, 550 Springfield Avenue, 908-464-8373; www.summitareaymca.org.

CRESCENT GOLF

As summer approaches, so too do days filled with barbeques, swimming pools, and baseball. What better way to enjoy America’s pastime than by grabbing your batting gloves and getting yourself into your local batting cages to prepare for pick-up games or little league championships? Whether you’re interested in softball or baseball,
practice does indeed lead to perfection—and batting cages offer a great opportunity to hone your swing and time the delivery of opposing pitchers. The lessons you can learn from continued simulation will undoubtedly aid you when you step into the batter’s box for the first time.

Crescent Golf Range offers nine automatic, multi-speed pitching machines to help you perform at your absolute best when it counts. Each cage is tailored for a different pace, from little league to major league speeds. The machines also range from high arc slow pitches to fast pitch, so summer softball league participants are always welcome.

Another national obsession, golfing, takes a similar regimen to keep your handicap low. Before you hit the links, avail yourself of Crescent Golf Range’s practice facility. The facility offers over sixty climate controlled booths on two levels, so you can work towards taking your game to the next level be it rain or shine. Take advantage of the
chipping area, sand trap and nine-hole putting green to sharpen your short game. This summer, clinics are offered at affordable prices for new players of all ages.

Crescent Golf Range, 908-688-9767; www.crescentgolfrange.com

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