It’s free and all exhibitors will receive free tickets to a Draft Horse Classic performance

Entries are now being accepted for the Harvest Fair, which takes place during the Draft Horse Classic, September 23 – 26, at the Nevada County Fairgrounds. The deadline for Nevada County residents to turn in entry forms to enter exhibits is 5 pm on Monday, September 20. It’s free to enter, and all exhibitors will receive complimentary tickets to the Thursday evening performance of the Draft Horse Classic.

Entry forms are now being accepted at the Fair Office and on-line at www.NevadaCountyFair.com.

There are more than 100 different categories to choose from, including fruits and vegetables, cobblers, harvest pies, scarecrows, dried flowers, jams, honey, cut flowers, produce characters, and birdhouses. There’s even a garden photo contest. So many fun categories to choose from!

There’s also a special division for youth and teens, which includes categories like apple face dolls, decoupage, Halloween masks, painted pumpkins, poetry, table settings, and wreaths.

Exhibitors must either submit paper entry forms at the Fair office or enter online at www.NevadaCountyFair.com.   There is no entry fee for those who enter an exhibit in the Harvest Fair.

Complete descriptions of all Harvest Fair divisions and categories are available online at www.NevadaCountyFair.com, at the Fair’s Office on McCourtney Road, or by calling the Fairgrounds Office at (530) 273-6217.

The Draft Horse Classic and Harvest Fair runs September 23 – 26 at the Nevada County Fairgrounds. There are six performances featuring the magnificent Draft Horses – Thursday and Friday at 6:30 pm, Saturday at 10 am and 6:30 pm, and Sunday at 10 am and 4 pm.

In addition to the Draft Horse performances, the Harvest Fair is bustling with activities during the four-day event. Live entertainment, Art at the Classic, Treat Street goodies, a Dutch oven cook-off, a clogging jamboree, a lumberjack show, a live shoeing competition, special exhibits, and visits to the barns and breed pavilion make for a family fun day at the Harvest Fair.

For Draft Horse performance tickets or information about entering a Harvest Fair exhibit, call the Fair Office at (530) 273-6217 or visit www.NevadaCountyFair.com.

By: Wendy Oaks
Publicist, Nevada County Fairgrounds
(530) 273-6217
wsoaks@gmail.com

Shelby McClelland accepts a master showmanship award from Tom Browning, a member of the Nevada County Fairgrounds Board of Directors, and Wanda Mertens

Shelby McClelland receives two prestigious awards

On Saturday evening, Shelby McClelland, a senior at Nevada Union High School, took home two master showmanship awards – one in the small animal division and another in the large animal division. This is the “best of the best,” the highest showmanship award granted by the Nevada County Fair, and to receive two master showmanship awards at the same time is an honor bestowed upon very few in the agricultural community.

To receive a master showmanship award at the Nevada County Fair, an individual must have won showmanship for a particular specie of animal in the master showmanship division; and then go on to be able to show every specie of animal in that particular division. In the small animal division, master showmanship includes showing rabbits, poultry, cavies (guinea pigs), pygmy goat and dog.  In the large animal division, master showmanship includes showing beef cattle, dairy cattle, dairy goat, meat goat, sheep and swine.  Judges score participants on how well they show each animal.

In small animals, Shelby qualified for master showmanship by winning dog showmanship.  In the large animals, she qualified by winning for dairy goat showmanship.

Shelby is a 16-year-old senior at Nevada Union High School, and a member of Nevada Union FFA. She has been showing at the Nevada County Fair for 10 years. She is a 4H All-Star, and this past year she won Reserve Best Wether at the State Fair for pygmy goats.  She is currently serving as Regional Reporter for the Superior Region FFA.  This year, she has been chosen as a delegate to represent California at the National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana.

“I was shocked to receive this honor,” said McClelland. “All those I was competing against are so good at what they do, competitive, and truly know their stuff. All I could do was stay focused, work hard and try my best. I’m so excited, and now I can relax and enjoy the Fair.”

“This is such a prestigious honor to receive both small animal and large animal master showmanship awards at one Fair,” said Robin Hauck, Deputy Manager of the Nevada County Fair. “It is very rare, and, to our knowledge, the only time that this has happened at the Nevada County Fair.”

Visit NevadaCountyFair.com for information about the Nevada County Fairgrounds.

Source: Wendy Oaks
Publicist Nevada County Fair

Huell Howser, founder and host of the PBS program California’s Gold, takes a moment to interview Sandy Woods, CEO of the Nevada County Fairgrounds. Howser visited the Nevada County Fair on Thursday to film an episode for a PBS series he is developing on “California’s Golden Fairs.”

Visit is part of Howser’s PBS series on “California’s Golden Fairs”

Huell Howser, noted television personality and founder of the PBS program: California’s Gold, spent the day at the Nevada County Fair on Thursday. During his visit, Howser spent time on the Fair’s Treat Street, sampling the various foods and interviewing individuals from the various non-profit organizations represented on Treat Street.  In addition to his visit to Treat Street, Howser spent time filming the Fair’s Gold Path, the tall Pine trees, and the Draft Horse monument at the front of the Fairgrounds.

Howser’s visit to the Nevada County Fairgrounds is for his developing PBS series entitled “California’s Golden Fairs,” which will consist of 12 episodes.  The “California’s Golden Fairs” series will consist of 12 episodes expected to air in the Spring of 2011. Eleven of the episodes will be a half hour long and will feature a different Fair – with one of the 11 episodes focusing solely on the Nevada County Fair. The 12^th episode will be dedicated to all of California’s Golden Fairs and will feature Howser as a host.

Part of the Nevada County Fair episode will be featured in November on KVIE, and, then again, in the Spring 2011, when the entire series begins airing at a rate of one per week for 12 weeks.

There are 78 Fairs in California. Howser chose to feature the Nevada County Fair because of its strong community roots, its natural beauty, and its unique Treat Street.

The 2010 Nevada County Fair is happening now through Sunday, August 15. The 2011 Nevada County Fair is August 10 – 14. Visit www.NevadaCountyFair.com for information.

Danny Kemp Inducted into the 2010 Nevada County Fair Hall of Fame

Danny Kemp has been named as the 2010 inductee into the Nevada County Fairgrounds’ Hall of Fame. The Fair’s Board of Directors chose Kemp for his significant contributions to the Fair and to the youth of Nevada County.

Kemp recently retired as the Ag Mechanics instructor from Bear River High School, where he had been teaching since 1986.  It was his inspiration, and his desire to support the Ag Mechanics students, that created the highly successful Ag Mechanics Auction at the 2004 Fair. Kemp worked tirelessly with the students and the Fair to create a quality exhibit that has grown to fill the Sugar Pine Lodge at the Fairgrounds. Now in its seventh year, the Ag Mechanics Auction has raised more than $240,000 to benefit the students of Nevada County.

“I am thrilled with how the Ag Mechanics Auction has grown since its inception,” said Kemp. “I am proud of the students who make it happen, and I am pleased that it opens another avenue for children to be successful.”

Kemp has always been a great supporter of the Fair. He was a member of the Nevada County Fair’s Board of Directors from 1985 through 1989, and, even today, he continues to be available to provide his assistance to the Fair team. Following each Fair, he makes it a point to meet with management and provide his positive critique and to offer his help in continuing to improve the Fair. He has always been a person that the Fair team relies upon for advice and direction.

“Danny is an individual who has made significant contributions to the Fair,” said Fairgrounds CEO Sandy Woods. “He is a person that we appreciate and admire, and his presence will indeed be missed in the future. It is a well-deserved honor for him to be named to the Fair’s Hall of Fame.”

Kemp, who has lived in Nevada County since 1975, has been a teacher in Nevada County for 34 years. He started his career at Nevada Union High School, and then began teaching at Bear River High School when it opened in 1986. In 2005, he received a Teacher of Excellence award from the California Ag Teachers Association.

Kemp will be formally inducted into the Hall of Fame at opening day ceremonies on Wednesday, August 11. In addition to access to the Fair and its many activities, he will receive a portrait donated by Shaffers Originals.

For information about the Nevada County Fair, August 11 – 15, visit www.NevadaCountyFair.com.

Sponsor and drive a car in the Fair’s Demolition Derby and you could win $1,000 for your favorite charity

Back by popular demand, the Nevada County Fair is providing organizations and businesses the opportunity to sponsor and drive a car in the Fair’s popular Demolition Derby, while at the same time raising money for a favorite charity or service organization.

Organizations and businesses can purchase a car for $500 and the Fair will provide a Derby car to use in the Demolition Derby. The organization can choose to provide its own driver or the Fair will provide a driver for the car. Additionally, the car can be picked up on August 6 to customize the car or it can be left at the Fair, where it will have a number painted on it.

The sponsored Derby cars will participate in their own event at the Demolition Derby, held on Sunday, August 15, at 7 pm in the Arena. The last of the sponsored cars moving will receive $1,000 towards the charity or service organization of their choice.  Last year’s winner was Mark Andreus, who received $1,000 for his charity, Christian Encounter Ministries.

There are only a limited number of cars available. Call the Fair Office at
(530) 273-6217 to reserve your car and obtain a list of rules. Forms are also available click here: NevadaCountyFair.

This year’s Nevada County Fair is August 11-15

Source: Wendy Oaks
Nevada County Publicist

This year also marks FREED’s 25^th anniversary and the 20^th anniversary of American Disabilities Act

Join us at the Nevada County Fair on Friday, August 13, for the annual Day for People with Disabilities. This day at the Fair will also celebrate the 20^th anniversary of the American Disabilities Act and the 25^th anniversary of Nevada County’s FREED Center for Independent Living.

During the Day for People with Disabilities, which happens every year on the Friday of the Fair, those with disabilities are admitted to the Fair at no charge, as is a guest or a chaperone. Additionally, individuals are given free parking, and vendors are brought in to offer products and services that cater to people with disabilities and to those that assist them.

There are several events and activities planned throughout the day. In the Ag-Sperience area, there will be an accessible location for individuals to see and interact with the livestock. In the same area, Master Gardeners will be demonstrating “Accessible Gardening.”  On the patio of the Northern Mines building, the Gold Country Wood Turners will offer a sit down lathe for those who are wheelchair bound to try their hand at creating wood art.

Mark Wellman, a nationally acclaimed author, filmmaker and motivational speaker, will be at the Fair’s climbing rock wall, where Mobile Rock is donating time for those with disabilities to have a try at climbing. Wellman will then be joining Candace Cable of Turning Point Tahoe on the Budweiser True Music Stage at 2 pm for an inspiring, motivational presentation.  Rounding out the evening, local DJ and break dancer, Rico Stephenson, will serve as the DJ at the Fairgrounds’ Dance Pad.

FREED Center for Independent Living, founded by Nevada County resident Sam Dardick, is a non-profit group dedicated to serving people with disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act was passed in 1990 to prohibit discrimination against disabled people.

The Day for People with Disabilities is presented by Pacific West Pharmacy, Inc. and FREED, The Independent Living Resource Center.

For information about the Nevada County Fair, August 11 – 15, visit NevadaCountyFair.com.

Visit the Nevada County Fair and help your community at the same time

Imagine being able to visit the annual Nevada County Fair at a discount, and be able to help the local Food Bank at the same time? At this year’s Fair, you can! The Nevada County Fairgrounds and The Food Bank of Nevada County are teaming up to help feed those in need.

Bring a can of food (or two or three) to the Fair on Sunday, August 15, and the Fair will give you a coupon for $1 off general admission to the Fair on that day.  The Food Bank will have food collection bins available at the Fairgrounds from 10 am – 5 pm at Gates 1, 3 and 5, which is also where you’ll receive your coupon. It’s that simple!

All food collected on that day will be given to The Food Bank of Nevada County, which distributes food to those in need in our county.  At last year’s canned food drive, 1,240 pounds of food were collected – enough to feed 550 – 600 families.

It’s the best of both worlds – fun at the Fair, while helping out in the community. It’s all part of Community Involvement Day, sponsored by YubaNet.com and The Food Bank of Nevada County, on Sunday, August 15, at the Nevada County Fair.

This year’s Fair is August 11 – 15. Visit www.NevadaCountyFair.com for more information or call the Fair Office at (530) 273-6217. For more information about the Food Bank of Nevada County, visit www.foodbankofnc.org or call 530-272-3796.

The Casillas Family is this year’s Nevada County Fair Family of the Year. From left to right – Beth, Dan, Emmalee and Manuel. Photo taken by Shaffers Originals of Grass Valley

The Casillas Family of Penn Valley has been named Family of the Year by the Nevada County Fair’s Board of Directors. The Board chose the Casillas Family because of their ongoing participation in the Nevada County Fair and their ongoing commitment and support of Nevada County agricultural youth programs.

Dan and Beth Casillas have been active in the Fair and youth agriculture programs since they moved to Nevada County in 1995. They have served as leaders for Cool Hollow 4H, where Dan served as the beef leader, and Beth volunteered at the Fair’s 4H food booth, as well as the Cattlewomen’s Red Barn. They are also supporters of the annual Junior Livestock Auction, and enjoy watching the Fair’s showing competitions

When not volunteering or working on youth projects, Dan is busy running his own cattle service business, Casillas Cattle Service. Beth serves as a legal secretary for the Placer County District Attorney.

Their children, Emmalee and Manuel, have also been actively involved in the Fair for many years. Both began exhibiting animals at the age of 9 and, prior to that, they entered still exhibits. Emmalee showed steers and breeding cattle in both 4H and FFA, in addition to showing commercial breeding hogs for four years as a side project.  Manuel began exhibiting chickens as a pee wee 4H member, then graduated to steers and breeding cattle. The 2010 Fair will be his last year exhibiting a steer.  Emmalee and Manuel also participated in the Fair’s Ag Mechanics competition and auction as Bear River FFA members.

Both of the Casillas children have gone on to pursue agricultural education. Emmalee, now 22, recently graduated from Fresno State University with a degree in Agriculture Education. She is currently attending graduate school at Fresno State to obtain her teaching credential. Manuel, 18, recently completed the welding program at Butte College. He is now continuing his education at Sierra College, and will eventually transfer to Fresno State.

The Casillas family received nominations from both Kim Rounds and Tasha Volheim, who both have had personal experience with the family.

“Year after year, the Casillas family dedicates their time to the Fair,” said Rounds. “Their sincere kindness, love for the Fair, and honest respect for what it does for the families and children of our community is evident through their actions and attitudes.”

Volheim seconds those comments. “Whether it is helping kids, Fair officials, or helping out at the livestock auction, the Casillas family is always willing and able to do whatever it takes to make the Fair a great experience for everyone. They are a great example of what the Fair family should be – a family that enjoys the Fair and puts out the extra effort to help others enjoy the experience, too.”

About being named the Fair’s Family of the Year, Dan says, “We are very excited to be this year’s Fair family! It seems a great way to end our children’s 15-year Nevada County showing career. We always look forward to the Fair each year and we’ll continue to support it and Nevada County agricultural youth in the future.”

The Casillas Family will be honored at opening ceremonies of the Nevada County Fair, which runs August 11 – 15.  They will receive free admission to the Fair, along with parking passes, free carnival rides, and admission to all five nights of arena events. In addition, Shaffers Originals of Grass Valley will create a family portrait to commemorate the family’s selection as the Fair’s Family of the Year.

For more information about the Nevada County Fair, visit NevadaCountyFair.com or call (530) 273-6217.

Source: Wendy Oaks
Publicist Nevada County Fair

Buy early and save!

Tickets for the Nevada County Fair are on sale now. Purchase your admission, carnival ride tickets, and arena event tickets before the Fair begins and save money!  This year, you can also save time by purchasing your tickets online.

Buy your admission tickets before August 10 at 5 pm and get admission for only $5.  Better yet, purchase a ticket to attend the Fair on Thursday, Kids’ Day, and get a “Be A Kid Again” adult admission ticket for only $3.  You can also take advantage of other pre-sale offers before August 10, including a five-day Fair pass with unlimited entry for $25; a season parking pass for $25; a carnival ride bracelet, good for unlimited rides for any one day, for $23; or a carnival ride booklet of 30 coupons for $20. If you purchase any ticket to an arena event, the cost for Fair admission is only $5.

There are several ways to get your tickets early. New this year, the Fairgrounds is offering online ticket sales. Visit NevadaCountyFair.com and follow the easy steps to purchase admission tickets, parking passes, season passes, arena event tickets and carnival ride coupons. You can also purchase tickets by calling the Fair Office at (530) 273-6217; or visiting the Fair Office on McCourtney Road before August 10 at 5 pm.

After August 10, admission for the Fair is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors, $3 for children 6-12, and children 5 and under are free.

This year’s Nevada County Fair is August 11 – 15.  The Fair’s Office is located on McCourtney Road in Grass Valley. The phone number is (530) 273-6217, the FAX number is (530) 273-1146, and the website is NevadaCountyFair.com.

Source: Wendy Oaks
Publicist
Nevada County Fairgrounds
(530) 273-6217
wsoaks@gmail.com

Mutton Bustin’ and Calf Scramble Planned for Wednesday and Thursday Night at the Fair

Two new arena events – Mutton Bustin’ and Calf Scramble – are planned for young children and teens in the Arena on Wednesday and Thursday night of the Nevada County Fair, August 11 – 15.

Featured in the Arena during the Professional Bull riding on Wednesday and the Rodeo on Thursday will be Mutton Bustin’, where eight young cowboys and cowgirls between the ages of 5 and 7 years old will get the chance each evening to mount a trusty sheep and head for the thrill of their young lives. Participants must be between the ages of 5 – 7, and must not weigh more than 65 pounds.

Also featured at the Arena on the same two nights will be the Calf Scramble, where ten teams, each consisting of a boy and girl, will compete with one another to catch, halter and coax a calf across the finish line. Participants must be between the ages of 12 – 18, and must weigh at least 100 pounds.

Western attire is required for both events, and there is no entry fee. Sheep and calves provided to the contestants during each event. Great prizes will be awarded for both events. For the Mutton Bustin’, prizes are $50 for first prize, $25 for second prize, and $10 for third prize. For the Calf Scramble, prizes are $100 for first prize, $50 for second prize, and $25 for third prize. There are a limited number of spots available, so call the Fair Office at (530) 273-6217 to reserve a spot in either event, as well as obtain an application and a list of rules. Applications and rules are also posted under Special Contests at NevadaCountyFair.com.

This year’s Fair is August 11 – 15.  Each evening of the Fair features a thrilling arena event. Wednesday is Professional Bull Riding; Thursday is the Rodeo; Friday is Tuff Truck Racing and Monster Trucks; Saturday is Free Style Moto X Riders and Monster Trucks; and Sunday is the Demolition Derby.  Purchase your arena event tickets before August 10 and get admission to the Fair for only $5. Visit NevadaCountyFair.com for more information.

Source: Wendy Oaks
Nevada County Fair Publicist

John J. O’Dell
Real Estate Broker
General Contractor
Call 530-263-1091