httpv://youtu.be/bqvO1biXS38
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Join the Fun at the Draft Horse Classic and Harvest Fair at the Nevada County Fair
Photo credit: ProSportsPix.com
Tickets on sale now for the September 20 – 23 event
Majestic Draft Horse performances, breath-taking competitions, and seeing a Draft Horse “up close” are all part of the festivities at the 26th annual Draft Horse Classic and Harvest Fair, September 20 – 23, at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley.
The Draft Horse Classic has grown to become the premier Draft Horse show in the western United States, and features six majestic performances. Whether it’s the Draft Horses working farm equipment, pulling carriages, or working side by-side on a hitch – these amazing animals compete with elegance and power and always entertain.
Tickets to this event are on sale now, and we’re offering discounted pricing on morning performances and children’s tickets. Draft Horse Classic evening and late afternoon performance tickets are $21 for reserved seating and $18 for general admission. For morning performances, tickets are $15 for reserved seating and $12 for general admission. For children (ages 12 and under), any performance ticket is $13 for reserved seating and $10 for general admission. Tickets may be ordered online at www.NevadaCountyFair.com, by FAX, mail, phone or walk-in. There is a small transaction fee if you order your tickets on-line. For all tickets purchased after September 19, there is an additional $3 charge per ticket.
While at the Fairgrounds, take time to visit the Harvest Fair – which is open during the Classic. Activities include live musical entertainment, a clogging jamboree, Treat Street goodies, Art at the Classic, community exhibits, and lots of opportunities to meet and see the Draft Horses.
Once again, guided barn tours will be available on Friday and Saturday of the Classic. For these tours, reservations are required and are limited in space.
On Sunday, back by popular demand, is the 2nd Annual Classic BBQ Cook-Off from
1:30 – 4 pm. Whether you want to watch BBQ experts how off their cooking skills or simply join the fun and taste the treats – the Rib Cook-Off is the place to be. Tasting tickets will be available at the event. Try ribs, chicken, pulled pork tacos, sandwiches, brisket, and a variety of delicious barbecue.
The Draft Horse Classic and Harvest Fair is held at the Nevada County Fairgrounds, located on McCourtney Road in Grass Valley, just 50 miles northeast of Sacramento. The phone number is (530) 273-6217, the FAX is (530) 273-1146, and the website is www.NevadaCountyFair.com.
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Sheep Ranch, California
By Judy J. Pinegar
Sheep Ranch was named after a sheep ranch (imagine that!). The official post office stamp did at one time read “Sheep Ranch” (Zip: 95250). One of the very few “free-range” areas in California, there are about a hundred freely roaming sheep throughout the town today. Sheep Ranch is located in the center of Calaveras County, about 16 miles east of San Andreas and eight miles north of Murphys.
The Pioneer Hotel is one of the main buildings still standing from that era. In 1967 three couples from Marin County discovered the old Pioneer Hotel and purchased it for $27,000. Over the years it was restored to its original look. The couples took turns using the hotel to entertain their personal friends, associates and family during different times of the year. John and I are friends with one of the families so we were invited to share a weekend there with them on August 17-19, 2012. The above pictures were taken by John O’Dell.
Sheep Ranch has a surprisingly colorful history. The town was surrounded by sheep corrals, and in 1860 gold ore was discovered in the corrals where the sheep were kept at night. Soon Sheep Ranch was a bustling gold mining town. Gold discovered at the Sheep Ranch Mine occurred at the 300 foot level in an extremely, rich, unusual black quartz. Before the turn of the century there were five flourishing gold mines and one had a ten-stamp mill. The town also supported 15 saloons.”
The main mine in town was known as the Hearst mine. George Hearst, who with partners bought the mine in 1897, was the father of William Randolph Hearst. The mine operated under various company names until shut down by the government in 1942. The Sheep Ranch mine was the largest source of gold in the district and the largest mine of the Sierras.
At one time the town of Sheep Ranch held two churches, one Catholic and the other Protestant. The local red school house, which still stands as a private home, employed two teachers until 1907 when the enrollment dwindled to 30 pupils taught by one teacher. The Eagle Hotel and the Pioneer Hotel were the two prominent local establishments, but only the Pioneer Hotel still stands.
Much of the movie feature “Honkytonk Man” was filmed in and around Calaveras County. Exterior scenes include Main Street, Mountain Ranch; Main Street, Sheep Ranch; and the Pioneer Hotel in Sheep Ranch. Extras were locally hired and many of the town’s residents are seen in the movie. During the filming, Clint Eastwood was very friendly and hospitable, taking time to chat and visit with many local residents.
The population of Sheep Ranch is 32 people, with sheep well out-numbering humans! There are currently no active businesses in Sheep Ranch, with the nearest facilities being located in Mountain Ranch to the west, and in Avery to the east. In January 2008, the postal service contractor in town relocated, resulting in the town having its ZIP code archived (i.e., made “not usable”) by the U.S. Postal Service. Locals can still use the town name, but must use the ZIP code for nearby Mountain Ranch (95246).
Judy J. Pinegar is a writer and her articles have appeared in many publications.
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Vacation to Angels Camp, June 10-13, 2012, Part 3
On Wednesday John, I and my family made the drive to Calaveras Big Trees State Park, a bit further away, but well worth the drive. This area has been a major tourist attraction since 1852, when the existence of the giant sequoia trees was first widely reported, and is considered the longest continuously operated tourist facility in California. The area was declared a state park in 1931 and now encompasses 6,498 acres in Calaveras and Tuolumne Counties.
We walked the North Grove trail which contains about 100 mature giant sequoias (also called Sierra redwoods); the South Grove, about 1,000. Sequoias are the largest living things to ever exist on the earth. The fossil record of sequoias dates back 180 million years to the age of dinosaurs, and individual trees can live to 3,000 years old.
The North Grove includes the ‘Discovery Tree’ noted by Augustus T. Dowd in 1852 and felled in 1853, leaving a giant stump which is the only remainder of the tree. It measured 24 feet (7.3 m) in diameter at its base and was determined by ring count to be 1,244 years old when felled. People used to dance on its top, and at one point it was turned into a school house.
However, the largest tree was believed to be the Mother of the Forest, which was cut down in the mid-nineteenth century and dwarfed any tree alive today. One of the most interesting things we learned on the tour is that although it is the largest tree, its seeds are the smallest, resembling a flake of oatmeal, with 6000 weighing just one ounce! And we learned that although the trees are so huge, their root system only goes 6 to 8 feet under the ground, but a large tree can have roots spread over up to one acre of land.
There are two different redwoods in California, the Sierra Redwoods, the worlds LARGEST living things, in this location and the Coast Redwoods, the worlds TALLEST living things. These trees are related, but differ in many ways. One difference is that the Sierra Redwoods can only be reproduced through seeds, while the Coast Redwoods can also reproduce by sprouting from their roots , burls and stumps.
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Vacation to Angels Camp, June 10-13, 2012, Part 2
Visit to Columbia State Park
By Judy J. Pinegar
On Tuesday John and I, and my family visited Colombia State Historic Park, a living, restored gold rush town. The concessions and businesses in the park close on Thanksgiving and Christmas days, but they are open for every other holiday, weather permitting.
The Gold Rush to Columbia, California began on March 27, 1850 by a small party of prospectors. News of the discovery spread and they were soon joined by a flood of miners. Unlike many settlements that have changed with the times, Columbia, California seems to be frozen in the 1800’s, and appears to be the best preserved of California gold rush towns. Columbia State Historic Park offers a blend of museums, displays, town tours, live theater plays, shops, restaurants and attractions.
After a great Mexican lunch, we saw the soap shop, the museum, information center and the working blacksmith shop. We also visited many other stores, enjoyed a few sarsaparillas, listened to some street musicians, and my four year old granddaughter made her very own dipped candle.
As a grand finale we rode a stagecoach through the woods – where the bad guys tried to take our gold (we didn’t have any thank goodness, because they weren’t willing to pull teeth). It was a wonderful, educational trip.
Judy J. Pinegar is a writer and her articles have appeared in many publications.
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Vacation to Angels Camp, June 10-13, 2012, Part 1
By Judy J. Pinegar
We were staying in a WorldMark Vacations Complex just west to town. On Monday morning the group (John, myself, my sister and brother-in-law, and my daughter and granddaughter) decided to visit California Caverns.
In 1849 or 1850, Captain Joseph Taylor was target practicing on a rocky outcropping and noticed that his targets were being moved by a breeze which seemed to emanate from the rocks. When he investigated this curious phenomenon, he discovered the entrance to a cave which he named Mammoth Cave.
In 1850, he opened the cave for public tours, making it the first show cave in the state of California. In 1980 the cavern was renamed California Caverns and it is now a State Historic Landmark. There are three tours at the cavern: 1) 70 minute Trail of Lights Walk Tour, 2) 2-3 hr Mammoth Cave Expedition and, 3) the challenging Middle Earth Tour taking 4 hours (crawling through very small spaces). Needless to say, with two senior citizens and a 4 year old we took the walk tour!
Early visitors included Bret Harte, Mark Twain and John Muir who wrote about this visit in “Chapter 15 – In the Sierra Foot-Hills” of his 1894 book “The Mountains of California” when it was called Cave City Cave. For 150 years, visitors have enjoyed the unique delicate beauty of the cavern’s crystalline formations. Some speleothems, such as the beaded helictites found in the Middle Earth area are very rare. Others are so numerous as to be spectacular, such as the “Jungle Room’s” array of stalactites.
That tour goes through passageways into large, highly decorated chambers including newly discovered pristine areas like the Jungle Room. Here you see large displays of milky white stalactites, helictites and flowstones decorate the walls and ceiling.
You may visit the website at California Caverns
Judy J. Pinegar is a writer and her articles have appeared in numerous publications.
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Nevada County Fairgrounds & the Food Bank of Nevada County Team up to Feed Those in Need
By Wendy Oaks
It’s three for three! Bring three cans of food to the Fair on Sunday and receive $3 off adult ticket.
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.
This year, it’s three for $3. All you have to do is bring three cans of food to the Fair on Sunday, August 12, and you will receive a coupon for $3 off an adult admission ticket 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. You must donate at least three cans of food to receive the discount; no partial discounts given.
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.
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, on Sunday, August 12, at the Nevada County Fair.
Also on happening at the Fair on Sunday – the Junior Livestock Auction, the Barbershop Quartet Contest, Gold Country Gymnasts performing, the Diaper Derby, America’s Winning Hypnotist Michael Mezmer, and the Demolition Derby in the Arena.
This year’s Fair is August 8 – 12. 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.
Wendy Oaks
Publicist, Nevada County Fairgrounds
(530) 273-6217
wsoaks@gmail.com
Website: www.NevadaCountyFair.com
Facebook: Nevada County Fairgrounds
Nevada County Fair August 8 – 12, 2012
Draft Horse Classic September 20 – 23, 2012
Halloween at the Fairgrounds October 27, 2012
Country Christmas Faire November 23 – 25, 2012
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Local Lions Clubs & Nevada County County Team up to Provide Free Vision Screening Services
Photo credit: Northern California Lions Sight Association
By Wendy Oaks
Free glaucoma and vision screenings provided at the Fair on Friday, August 10
The Nevada County Fairgrounds, Grass Valley Foothill Lions, and Higgins Diggins Lions are teaming up to provide free glaucoma and visual screening services for adults and children at the Nevada County Fair on Friday, August 10. The services will be offered from
9 am – 1 pm and 2 – 6 pm at the Special Events Tent, located right inside Gate 1. Sign-ups will be taken on the day of the event.
For the event, the Lions will utilize the Northern California Lions Sight Associations Vision Screening Unit, a fully-equipped motorhome that is designed to offer no cost glaucoma and visual screening services to those who otherwise might not be able to afford it. The services are available for adults and children. Both Lions clubs will be manning the unit, and Dr. Alfred Gabler, a retired optometrist; and Jill Horrigan, a Certified Ophthalmic Technician and a Certified Retina Angiographer; will volunteer their services for the day. Two representatives from Grass Valley Eye Care will also assist with the screenings. For more information about the Vision Screening Unit, visit www.nclsa.com.
Also happening at the Fair on Friday, which is Day for People with Disabilities and allows those with disabilities to be admitted to the Fair at no charge, is “Up Close with the Animals,” located in the Ag-Sperience Area. During this unique event, the agricultural community brings out various animals for Fair-goers to see, hold and pet. It’s a crowd-favorite for the animals and for their visitors. Additionally, “Vendor Circle” is set up and vendors are brought in to offer products and services that assist individuals with disabilities.
Also, on Friday, don’t miss Bull Riding in the Arena, the Free Flight Bird Show, Cool Heat performing jazz music, a Chicken and Rabbit Costume Contest, Gold Country Kuk Sool Won providing a family martial arts demonstration, and Summer of Love performing favorites from the 60’s.
This year’s Fair is August 8 – 12. A complete schedule of events is available at www.NevadaCountyFair.com.
Wendy Oaks
Publicist, Nevada County Fairgrounds
(530) 273-6217
wsoaks@gmail.com
Website: www.NevadaCountyFair.com
Facebook: Nevada County Fairgrounds
Nevada County Fair August 8 – 12, 2012
Draft Horse Classic September 20 – 23, 2012
Halloween at the Fairgrounds October 27, 2012
Country Christmas Faire November 23 – 25, 2012
For all your real estate needs
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John J. O’Dell Realtor® GRI
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(530) 263-1091
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Nevada County Fairgrounds Foundation Heritage Hog to be Showcased
By Wendy Oaks
FAIRGROUNDS FOUNDATION HERITAGE HOG TO BE SHOWCASED AT JUNIOR LIVESTOCK AUCTION AT THE NEVADA COUNTY FAIR
2012 Heritage Hog Being Raised by Bear River FFA Student Sierra Mitchell
The 2012 Heritage Hog will be showcased at the Junior Livestock Auction on Sunday, August 12, at the Nevada County Fair. Proceeds from the hog will be used to assist the Foundation in its efforts to continue to improve the Fairgrounds. Raising the 2012 Heritage Hog is 15-year-old Sierra Mitchell, an FFA student and junior at Bear River High School.
According to Ed Mertens, President of the Nevada County Fairgrounds Foundation, Sierra was chosen to raise this year’s Heritage Animal because of her active involvement in FFA and because of her experience in showing and raising hogs.
Sierra was involved in 4H for four years, and moved into FFA as a freshman in high school. She has been raising pigs for six years. Her involvement at the Nevada County Fair involves raising pigs and being in the hog barns to answer any the questions of Fair-goers. She also serves at the Buyer’s Dinner every year. For the 2012 Fair, in addition to showing the Heritage Hog, she is building a project for the Ag Mechanics Auction on Friday at the Fair.
Along with her agricultural work, Sierra is busy with sports and school activities. She has been playing soccer for more than 10 years, and was a member of the varsity girls’ soccer team and the varsity cross country team at Bear River. She is also a member of Bear River’s Sources of Strength, a suicide prevention group.
“I have learned so many things through my involvement in the FFA and raising animals,” said Sierra. “I have learned responsibility, communication skills, and attention to detail. I love raising pigs, and I’m thrilled to be chosen to raise this year’s Heritage Animal.”
Sierra will receive a $500 scholarship for her efforts. The 2012 Heritage Hog was donated by Zoe Fink, a Clear Creek 4H student, and Our 49er Feed Store donated all the feed.
The Foundation is currently seeking donors to contribute to the fund for the Heritage Hog. The animal will be the last in its specie to be auctioned, and donors can contribute any amount – either in advance or on the day of the auction. If you are interested in the Heritage Hog project, please contact Ed at Ed@MertensInsurance.com.
The 2012 Nevada County Fair is August 8 – 12, and event details can be found at www.NevadaCountyFair.com or by calling (530) 273-6217. For information about the Nevada County Fairgrounds Foundation, visit www.NevadaCountyFair.com/foundation.
Wendy Oaks
Publicist, Nevada County Fairgrounds
(530) 273-6217
wsoaks@gmail.com
Website: www.NevadaCountyFair.com
Facebook: Nevada County Fairgrounds
Nevada County Fair August 8 – 12, 2012
Draft Horse Classic September 20 – 23, 2012
Halloween at the Fairgrounds October 27, 2012
Country Christmas Faire November 23 – 25, 2012
For all your real estate needs
Email or call today:
John J. O’Dell Realtor® GRI
Civil Engineer
General Contractor
(530) 263-1091
Email jodell@nevadacounty.com
DRE#00669941
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Nevada County Fairgrounds Foundation to Host Barbecue Dinner and Rodeo
By Wendy Oaks
Join the Nevada County Fairgrounds Foundation for its Annual Barbecue Dinner and a Night at the Rodeo on Thursday, August 9, at 5:30 pm at the Nevada County Fairgrounds.
This fun event is held during the Nevada County Fair, and includes a delicious barbecue dinner that is served on the VIP Patio at the Fairgrounds, followed by an evening at the Rodeo in the Arena. Tickets are $40 each, and include admission to the Fair on Thursday, a complete barbecue dinner, and a night at the rodeo.
Tickets to this event can be purchased online at www.NevadaCountyFair.com, by RSVP at (530) 273-6217, or via e-mail at Foundation@NevadaCountyFair.com.
Proceeds from the event will benefit the Nevada County Fairgrounds Foundation and its mission of supporting and improving the community’s Fairgrounds. For more Foundation information, visit www.NevadaCountyFair.com/foundation.
The 2012 Nevada County Fair is August 8 – 12. Visit NevadaCountyFair.com for details.
Wendy Oaks
Publicist, Nevada County Fairgrounds
(530) 273-6217
wsoaks@gmail.com
Website: www.NevadaCountyFair.com
Facebook: Nevada County Fairgrounds
Nevada County Fair August 8 – 12, 2012
Draft Horse Classic September 20 – 23, 2012
Halloween at the Fairgrounds October 27, 2012
Country Christmas Faire November 23 – 25, 2012
For all your real estate needs
Email or call today:
John J. O’Dell Realtor® GRI
Civil Engineer
General Contractor
(530) 263-1091
Email jodell@nevadacounty.com
DRE#00669941
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