STAFFORD – The 36th annual Ocean County Decoy and Gunning Show is back for another year. The event will be held at Tip Seaman County Park and Tuckerton Seaport this weekend, Sept. 29 from 7 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sept. 30 from 7 a.m.-4 p.m.
Join in the event that celebrates the traditions and heritage of our local Barnegat Bay areas, alongside 300 exhibitors and approximately 20,000 attendees.
“This show focuses on the traditional skills that were commonplace at one time in areas on and around the bays of Ocean County,” said Ocean County Freeholder Deputy Director John C. Bartlett Jr., who also serves as liaison to the Ocean County Parks Department. “Through a series of competitions, exhibits and demonstrations, we are helping to preserve the heritage and traditions of the bay for years to come.”
At this annual two-day event, you can find decoys, boats, wildlife art and carvings, gunning supplies, antique fishing and hunting paraphernalia, duck and goose calls, clothing, carving supplies and decoy/boat lumber. Witness the unique New Jersey Duck Calling contest, take part in one of the nearly 50 contests and seminars, or kick back to some music from famous Pine Barrens musicians.
Food vendors will also be serving up clams, oysters on the half shell, shrimp, clam chowder, chicken, roast beef sandwiches, hamburgers, soda and ice cream.
Don’t miss the presentation of the esteemed Hurley Conklin Award at the annual awards ceremony is the Hurley Conklin Award. This award is given to those individuals who have lived their lives in the traditions preserved by the show.
For more information, visit OceanCountyParks.org or call 609-971-3085.
