Service Animal Policy/ Procedure
The German Christmas Market of New Jersey follows the same service animal policies as our host, the Sussex County Fairgrounds. See the complete policy below:
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We welcome service animals at the Sussex County Fairgrounds!
Upon arrival at any gate or entrance onto the fairgrounds, please notify the security officer or staff
of your intention to utilize a service animal. As staff regularly changes at the various entry points,
it's reasonable to expect that you may be asked about the animal every time entry is made into
the fairgrounds.
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In accordance with the ADA, you will be asked whether the animal is a service animal.
Additionally, the owner/handler must indicate that the animal is fully compliant with all New
Jersey Animal Health Requirements.
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The NJSF/SCF&HS Board wants your time spent at the Fair to be a positive and fun experience!
We thank you for joining us, and for helping us to make the Fair safe and enjoyable for everyone.
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SERVICE ANIMAL POLICY/PROCEDURE
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Accessibility Service Animals
The New Jersey State FairR/Sussex County Farm & Horse Show welcomes guests with disabilities who
are accompanied by a trained service dog, in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
We thank you for your cooperation in ensuring a safe and successful visit for yourself, your service animal, the animals participating in the Fair and their handlers, and other Fair guests.
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Other than animals approved in exhibitions, ONLY WORKING SERVICE ANIMALS, IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE AMERICAN WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) ARE ALLOWED AT THE NJSF/SCF&HS. Under
the ADA, "a service animal has been individually trained to work or perform tasks that assist a
person with a disability." Service animals are working animals. Animals whose sole function is to
provide comfort or emotional support, or therapy do not qualify as service animals under the ADA.
Pets, comfort animals, emotional support or therapy animals are not permitted at the NJSF/SCF&HS.
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UPON ARRIVAL AT THE FAIR, FAIR GUESTS/HANDLERS MUST CHECK IN WITH STAFF who will
verify the service animal status. The Fair Guest/Handler for the service animal is responsible for the care
and control of their animal.
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*As stipulated by the ADA, Fair staff may request that a service animal experiencing difficulty, or demonstrating problematic behaviors, such as barking or lunging, be removed from the Fair immediately. We ask that you promptly comply with any such request for the safety and welfare of all.
Service Dogs
Service dogs can pose certain concerns and challenges within agricultural and fair settings, it is important that we advise you of our policies regarding these animals and ask for your cooperation.
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For the safety of you, your service dog, and the animals exhibiting/participating at the Fair:
A SERVICE DOG MUST BE LEASHED AND UNDER HANDLER'S CONTROL AT ALL TIMES. A service
dog is required to be on a leash, harness, or tether while on NJSF/SCF&HS grounds. For situations where an individual's disability prevents having the service dog on a traditional leash, AND if the service dog is trained to respond to alternate effective means of control, then (and only then) they are permitted in certain areas without a tether.
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IF EITHER AN EXHIBITION ANIMAL OR A SERVICE DOG IS VISIBLY UPSET OR AGITATED BY THE
OTHER'S PRESENCE, THE HANDLER AND SERVICE ANIMAL MUST MOVE AWAY FROM THAT
EXHIBIT IMMEDIATELY. Signs of agitation include barking, howling, growling, contacting an animal exhibit pen/stall or cage, jumping, climbing, running around exhibit and exhibition animals, and/or erratic movements. At no time shall a service dog be in contact with fences, mesh, wire, railings, ropes, or other exhibit barriers.
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THE HANDLER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CARING FOR AND SUPERVISING THEIR SERVICE DOG,
WHICH INCLUDES TOILETING AND FEEDING. The Fair is unable to provide a rest area or supplies for service dogs. Please come prepared with anything you think your animal needs during your visit. If a service dog needs to relieve itself, handlers may exit the park temporarily at any Admissions gate (making sure to receive a re-entry wristband); and any animal waste on the fairgrounds or parking areas must be picked up and disposed of properly by the handler.
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If there is a situation where you as the handler are not able to maintain control over the service animal,
you will be asked to remove the animal from the fairgrounds. We ask that you promptly comply with any
such request for the safety and welfare of all.
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Removal of Animals
To summarize, the NJSF/SCF&HS reserves the right to have an animal removed from the premises if:
A. Any condition above is not met.
B. The service animal is out of control and the animal's handler does not take effective action to
achieve control.
C. The service animal is not housebroken; and/or their waste is not appropriately managed by the
handler.
D. The animal poses a threat to the health or safety of others, including animals participating in
approved Fair exhibits.
Thank you very much for your assistance in making the German Christmas Market of NJ a safe and welcoming place for all guests and exhibitors. We're happy to comply with ADA requirements for service animals as outlined on www.ada.gov. Please let our staff know if we may be of
assistance to you and/or your service animal.
Enjoy the Fair! ​​​​​​​