Vendors prepared kettle corn and cotton candy while a competition pony exercised in a nearby field as the first of five couples said their “I do’s” on July 20 during special Burlington County Farm Fair wedding ceremonies officiated by County Clerk Joanne Schwartz.
The weddings were the first-ever held at the annual Farm Fair during its 75-year history and were a highlight from the fair’s much-anticipated return this week following a two-year hiatus caused by the pandemic.
“Farm Fair is not only one of Burlington County’s biggest and most beloved events — it’s also the perfect setting for a truly memorable wedding,” said Schwartz. “These weddings were a wonderful way to welcome back Farm Fair and celebrate the love that these couples have for each other.”
The five couples wed during separate ceremonies in the fair’s dining pavilion, which was decorated with sunflowers, bales of hay and cardboard cows, pigs and tractors for the special occasion.
Among the five couples who tied the knot on July 20, Kayleen Oliver and Anthony Palmucci planned to marry in the fall but said they opted to say “I do” early because of Schwartz’s offer to officiate weddings at the iconic Farm Fair.
“We have a bigger ceremony planned for the fall, but we figured why not do it early here,” said Oliver, a Cinnaminson native. “We kinda wanted a farm wedding anyway.”
“We’re getting an early start,” added Palmucci, of Deptford. “Plus there’s funnel cake.”
Schwartz, who has officiated hundreds of weddings since she took office as County Clerk in 2019, said she hopes weddings will become an annual tradition at the fair.
“The five wedding ceremonies held today were each lovely and will be remembered as Farm Fair’s first, but I don’t expect they will be the last ones held here,” she said.
Burlington County Commissioner Allison Eckel, who was in attendance, said the weddings were a great addition to Farm Fair’s history and tradition.
“Farm Fair brings thousands of people to our County Fairgrounds and celebrates our county’s agricultural heritage while providing a fun showcase for the skills and talents of our farmers, homesteaders, equestrians and more,” said Eckel. “The weddings were a wonderful new addition that adds to the romance of the fair. Our board congratulates the happy newlyweds and extends our thanks to the county clerk and her staff for arranging these beautiful ceremonies.”
