New Jersey State Fair® - Worldnow

New Jersey Sunday Herald, July 31, 2011 New Jersey State Fair/Sussex County Farm & Horse Show Page 7
A shower is in the forecast for Beulah, the elephant who annually appears at the fair.
From Page 6 Beulah’s Power Shower
When:
by the New Jersey Herald and slated for
1 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 4 at a tent near
the pond, promises to provide an afternoon
of fun.
The Beulah tradition began in 1995,
when R.W. Commerford and Sons, a traveling
petting zoo from Goshen, Conn.,
first came to the fair. After traveling,
Beulah had to be cleaned off before the
petting zoo was opened for the week, so
her handlers took her to the pond.
“It slowly got a following,” said Kathy
Cafasso, media coordinator for the state
fair. “People would call to ask what time
the elephant was taking her bath.”
Cafasso said she’s been “bowled over”
by the number of people who have come
out for Beulah’s appearances. Eventually,
some attendees started bringing boxes of
pizzas, soda and other snacks and making
a day out of Beulah’s dip, she said.
Beulah’s bath was made the official
opening event of the fair in 2009, and vendors
and amenities were added.
About 100 to 150 people have attended
the bath in recent years, Cafasso said,
and Beulah apparently enjoys the bath as
much as the spectators. Beulah’s owners
had difficulty getting her out of the pond
Thursday, 1 p.m.
Where:
Pond at fairgrounds,
Plains Road, Frankford
last year, Cafasso said.
In addition to Beulah’s power-washing
and scrub-down, this year’s event will
feature hot dogs, pretzels and Italian ice
as well as a presentation on “fun elephant
facts” by Beulah’s handler, Tim
Commerford, and a drawing for free fair
tickets.
A large cutout of Beulah will be on-site
for people to pose with for pictures,
Cafasso said.
“This is a fun family thing to do,” said
Lee Williams, the special events director
for the New Jersey Herald. “You can
pack a picnic, bring lawn chairs and
enjoy a nice day out.”
Attendees who sign up to subscribe to
the Herald at the event will receive two
free tickets to the fair, Williams said.
The day of Beulah’s shower is also the
last day that reduced-price advance tickets
will be available. The advance ticket
price is $4 for children and $9 for adults.