BEGIN:VCALENDAR PRODID;X-RICAL-TZSOURCE=TZINFO:-//com.denhaven2/NONSGML ri_cal gem//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN VERSION:2.0 BEGIN:VEVENT DESCRIPTION:The &ldquo\;Spirit of the Jerseys&rsquo\;&rsquo\; State Hist ory Fair is returning to its roots at Washington Crossing State Park in Hopewell Township on May 12\, 2012\, with a daylong series of free edu cational and hands-on activities aimed at highlighting the long\, rich and diverse history of our state\, Department of Environmental Protecti on Commissioner Bob Martin announced today. The fair\, to be held in pa rtnership with more than 130 other historic\, government\, and nonprofi t entities and organizations\, will take place rain or shine from 11 am to 5 pm at the state park that commemorates Gen. George Washington&rsq uo\;s historic military crossing of the icy waters of the Delaware Rive r on Christmas Night 1776. \;\nFittingly\, the Revolutionary War wi ll be one focus of dozens of planned historical exhibits\, demonstratio ns\, portrayals\, encampments\, music\, and recreation at the State His tory Fair\, which will explore five centuries of New Jersey history.\n& ldquo\;We are excited to bring the award-winning State History Fair bac k to Washington Crossing State Park\, which is the right place for a c elebration of our state&rsquo\;s role in this great nation&rsquo\;s hist ory\,&rsquo\;&rsquo\; said Commissioner Martin. \; &ldquo\;New Jers ey&rsquo\;s vital and pivotal role in the founding of our country\, and the achievements of its residents\, will be on display at the fair.&rs quo\;&rsquo\; \; \;\nVisitors to the fair will encounter some v ery unique attractions. \; Like a first-hand encounter with Martha Washington\, as portrayed by Janice Erickson Smith\, or an entertaining look at the Tea Party craze of 1773-74 and the grief it caused King Ge orge and his tax collectors\, in a production entitled\, &ldquo\;I'll T ake No Tea!&rsquo\;&rsquo\; by the Tuckers&rsquo\; Tale Puppet Theatre. \nOther special features will include a juried art exhibit of New Jerse y&rsquo\;s historic heritage\, an antiques appraisal\, Native American pottery-making\, a World War II exhibit area\, demonstrations on the ar t of calligraphy and participatory quill pen writing\, open hearth cook ing demonstrations at the Johnson Ferry House.\nThe fair will include appearances by Colonial-era magician &ldquo\;Levram the Great\,&rsquo\; &rsquo\; the 78th Army Band Jazz Combo\, the songs and stories of canal boat captain &ldquo\;Cappy Hummel\," and the likes of Walt Whitman\, Mo lly Pitcher and Benjamin Franklin\, among many others.\nIn addition to the many nonprofit participants\, DEP also is partnering with various s tate agencies for educational exhibits and promotion\, including the De partment of Military and Veterans Affairs\, Department of Education\, a nd the state Division of Travel and Tourism.\nMany activities at the St ate History Fair can help fulfill badge requirements for Cub Scouts\, B oy Scouts and Brownie and Junior Girl Scouts. \; Also\, the Office o f Historic Sites is offering three professional development hours to e lementary and secondary school social studies teachers who attend the f air and engage in its many historical activities.\nThe Spirit of the Je rseys Fair was first held in 2004 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of New Jersey&rsquo\;s State Historic Sites &ndash\; a system that began in 1903 with the state&rsquo\;s purchase of the Indian King Tavern in H addonfield. \; Its goal is to engage the public in discovering the state&rsquo\;s history in a fun and enjoyable manner. \; The fair w as not held in 2010 because of logistical issues and limited state reso urces but returned last year when it was held at Allaire State Park.\n& ldquo\;We&rsquo\;re happy to return this year to Washington Crossing St ate Park\, the fair&rsquo\;s original location\,&rdquo\; said Beverly W eaver\, supervisor of the DEP&rsquo\;s Office of Historic Sites. \; &ldquo\;Our partners and past fair attendees have made various suggest ions on how to improve the fair and we are delivering on their expectat ions. \; This should be a great event.&rdquo\;\nThe fair will be he ld rain or shine. \; While admission is free\, there will be a $5 f ee per-vehicle parking donation to help defray the costs of the fair.&n bsp\; For more information on the State History Fair\, including a full listing of events and directions\, please visit\, www.njhistoryfair.org .\n \; URL:http://clark.patch.com/events/spirit-of-the-jerseys-state-history-fai r-84f2add6 SUMMARY:Spirit of the Jerseys State History Fair LOCATION:Washington Crossing State Park\, Titusville\, NJ: Washington Cro ssing State Park\, Titusville\, NJ END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR