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Searching for a tricky tray in Sussex County, NJ, this fall? The calendar fills up fast in November. Our team pulled together every tricky tray, craft fair and vendor fair we could confirm on an official organizer or venue calendar for fall 2026, from a 60 plus vendor fair at Sparta High School to two tricky trays at the Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta.
Below you will find dates, days of the week, times, locations and what each organizer has published so far. Prices for most tricky trays are not posted yet, so we tell you where to look for ticket details. Most of these events support schools, rescue squads and local athletes, so your raffle tickets and handmade gift purchases stay right here in the county.
Fall 2026 tricky trays and craft fairs at a glance
- Sat, Nov 7: Sparta Special Olympics Vendor and Craft Fair, Sparta High School, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., free admission
- Sat, Nov 14: Frankford Township PTA Tricky Tray, Richards Building, Sussex County Fairgrounds, 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Sat, Nov 21: Northwest Christian School Craft Fair, Sussex County Fairgrounds, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Sat, Nov 21: Holiday Market at Cobblestone Village, Vernon, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Sun, Nov 22: Blue Ridge Rescue Squad Tricky Tray, Sussex County Fairgrounds, noon to 5 p.m.
What is a tricky tray?
A tricky tray is a North Jersey style raffle fundraiser. Guests typically buy sheets of tickets, walk the prize tables, and drop tickets into the bucket or bag next to the prizes they want most. Winners are drawn at the end of the event, so plan to stay for the calling of numbers. Many tricky trays also sell food, 50/50 tickets and premium raffles. Each organizer sets its own rules on ticket packages, outside food and whether you must be present to win, so check with the host before you go.
Craft fairs and vendor fairs
Sparta Special Olympics Vendor and Craft Fair (Sparta)
- When: Saturday, November 7, 2026, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Where: Sparta High School, 70 W Mountain Rd, Sparta, NJ 07871
- Cost: Free admission, donations welcome but not required
The fall fair lists more than 60 vendors of all types, including food vendors, according to the event listing on the Lake Hopatcong Foundation community calendar. It supports Sparta Special Olympics and Special Olympics NJ Morris-Sussex. The organizers also post updates on their Facebook event page. This is the earliest fair on our list and a good one for knocking out early holiday shopping. If you want to make a day of it in town, our guide to things to do in Sparta NJ covers Lake Mohawk and more.
Northwest Christian School Craft Fair (Augusta)
- When: Saturday, November 21, 2026, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Where: Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Road, Augusta (Frankford Township), NJ 07822
- Cost: Check with the school, admission was not posted when we checked
The Sussex County Fairgrounds calendar lists this one as the Annual Northwest Christian School Craft Fair and links to the school’s craft fair page for details. With six hours on the schedule, it is the longest craft fair window of the fall and a natural pick for handmade gifts the weekend before Thanksgiving.
Holiday Market at Cobblestone Village (Vernon)
- When: Saturday, November 21, 2026, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Where: Cobblestone Village, Vernon
- Host: Vernon Township Recreation
Vernon Township Recreation lists the Holiday Market on its News and Events page. The same page lists a Tree Lighting and Quiet Time with Santa with dates still to be announced, so keep an eye on it if you want to stack holiday events. Questions go to the township at 973-764-4055. The market falls on the same Saturday as the Northwest Christian School fair, so you can catch both with a drive between Vernon and Augusta. Hungry afterward? See our picks for the best restaurants in Vernon NJ.
Tricky trays in Sussex County this fall
Frankford Township PTA Tricky Tray (Augusta)
- When: Saturday, November 14, 2026, 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.
- Where: Richards Building, Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Road, Augusta, NJ 07822
- Cost: Not posted yet
The fairgrounds calendar lists this PTA fundraiser in the Richards Building. A seven hour window is long for a tricky tray, which usually means time to browse the tables before the drawing. Ticket packages and prices had not been posted when we checked, so watch the Frankford Township PTA’s own channels for details.
Blue Ridge Rescue Squad Tricky Tray (Augusta)
- When: Sunday, November 22, 2026, noon to 5 p.m.
- Where: Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Road, Augusta, NJ 07822
- Cost: Not posted yet
This Sunday afternoon tricky tray supports the Blue Ridge Rescue Squad. The fairgrounds calendar points to the squad’s Facebook page for updates, which is the best place to find ticket prices and any pre-sale details.
Coming up after Thanksgiving
Once these fall fundraisers wrap up, the holiday shopping season keeps going at the fairgrounds. The German Christmas Market of New Jersey runs Friday, December 4 through Sunday, December 6, 2026 in Augusta. If you are picking up a tree that same weekend, our Christmas tree farms guide covers choose and cut farms around the county.
Know before you go
- Confirm before you drive. Most of these listings come from venue and township calendars. Organizers can change hours, so check the linked page or Facebook event the week of the event.
- Bring cash. Not every vendor or raffle table takes cards. Small bills help at food tables and 50/50 sales.
- Tricky tray tickets. Some tricky trays sell tickets in advance and some sell at the door only. Ask the host about ticket packages, whether outside food is allowed, and whether you must be present to win.
- Bring a bag. A tote or folding cart makes it easier to carry craft fair purchases and tricky tray prizes back to the car.
- Fairgrounds address. Three of these events are at the Sussex County Fairgrounds, 37 Plains Road, Augusta, NJ 07822. Plug that into your GPS rather than searching for the event name.
- Dress for November. Late fall in Sussex County can be cold, especially early in the morning and after dark when the Frankford PTA tricky tray lets out.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Frankford Township PTA Tricky Tray in 2026?
Saturday, November 14, 2026, from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the Richards Building at the Sussex County Fairgrounds in Augusta, per the fairgrounds calendar.
Is the Sparta Special Olympics craft fair free?
Yes. The listing says admission is free, with donations welcome but not required. It runs Saturday, November 7, 2026, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Sparta High School.
How much are tickets for the Blue Ridge Rescue Squad Tricky Tray?
Prices had not been posted when we checked. Watch the Blue Ridge Rescue Squad Facebook page for ticket details before Sunday, November 22, 2026.
Where is the Sussex County Fairgrounds?
The fairgrounds is at 37 Plains Road in Augusta, a section of Frankford Township, NJ 07822.
Are there holiday markets in Sussex County after Thanksgiving?
Yes. The German Christmas Market of New Jersey runs December 4 to 6, 2026 at the Sussex County Fairgrounds. Vernon also hosts its Holiday Market at Cobblestone Village on Saturday, November 21.
Primary sources for this guide: Sussex County Fairgrounds event calendar, Lake Hopatcong Foundation community calendar listing, Vernon Township Recreation News and Events, Northwest Christian School.
Featured photo: stock image of a craft fair table, for illustration only. Photo by Elias Jara via Pexels.
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