Inner-grounds and gates to be locked at 4:30 pm and closed on weekends
Effective November 1, the Nevada County Fairgrounds will return to its winter hours. This change in hours means that the Fairgrounds’ inner-grounds and gates will be locked at
4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, and closed on weekends. The inner-grounds and gates will remain open during the week to walkers and bicyclists, but all must be off the grounds before the gates lock at 4:30 pm.
The winter hours only affect the inner-grounds and gate closures; it does not affect the Main Office, which is open during its normal business hours of Monday through Friday from
8 am to 5 pm. Additionally, the RV Park at the Fairgrounds will remain open, and the gates and inner-grounds will remain open for any events that are taking place on the grounds during the winter months.
For more information about the Nevada County Fairgrounds, visit NevadaCountyFair.com or call (530) 273-6217.
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The Nevada County Fairgrounds Foundation is hosting a costume parade at its Halloween event this Saturday, October 26, from 2 – 5 pm at the Nevada County Fairgrounds. The costume parade – a fun way to show off those cute costumes – will take place at 3 pm at the Main Exhibit Building.
There will also be games and treats for kids, a story book club, and even a cupcake walk! Hot dogs and all the fixins’ will be served by Bill’s Chuckwagon, and Bobby ‘G’ will provide family-friendly music for all to enjoy. The Nevada County Narrow Gauge Model Railroad will be open for tours, and, weather permitting, Empire Carriage Company will provide carriage rides around the Fairgrounds. Nevada County Story Club will have a booth set up, and will be reading Halloween stories to children.
Nevada Union FFA will have farm animals outside of the event for viewing, and they will also host the Pumpkin Chuckin’ event, where the students catapult pumpkins across the Fairgrounds grass area.
It’s all happening, rain or shine, on Saturday, October 26 from 2 – 5 pm at the Nevada County Fairgrounds. The cost is only $5 per person and includes food, treats, games and entertainment! Tickets can be purchased on the day of the event at the Fairgrounds. Parking is free for this event.
The Halloween Fun at the Fairgrounds event is hosted by the Nevada County Fairgrounds Foundation, and sponsored by Cirino’s at Main Street. Visit www.NevadaCountyFair.com for information or call (530) 273-6217.
Join in the fall festivities and Halloween fun at the Nevada County Fairgrounds on Saturday, October 26. Rain or shine, in costume or in street clothes, don’t miss out on the fun!
Bring your family and friends for some Halloween fun from 2 to 5 pm on Saturday, October 26. Hot dogs will be served by Bill’s Chuckwagon, and there will be treats for the kids, a cupcake walk, and lots of games. Plus, you don’t want to miss the costume contests and a chance to win some great prizes!
The cost for the Halloween event at the Fairgrounds is only $5 per person and includes food, treats, games, and entertainment! Tickets will be available at the door on the day of the event. This family-friendly Halloween event is hosted by the Nevada County Fairgrounds Foundation, and sponsored by Cirino’s at Main Street.
For additional information, call the Fair Office at (530) 273-6217 or visit www.NevadaCountyFair.com
The dates for the 2014 Draft Horse Classic in Grass Valley have been changed to September 18 – 21, 2014. All ticket sale orders will begin May 1, 2014. At that time, you’ll be able to order your tickets by FAX, mail, phone, or walk-in. On-line ticket sales will begin June 2. To get the best seats, place your ticket order early!
Mark your calendar and save the date for the 2014 Draft Horse Classic, which takes place September 18 – 21 at the tree-covered Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley, 50 miles northeast of Sacramento. For additional information, visit the Fairgrounds website at www.NevadaCountyFair.com or call the Fairgrounds Office at (530) 273-6217.
Submit the winning theme and win a prize package to the 2014 Nevada County Fair
The Nevada County Fairgrounds is hosting a contest to find the winning theme for the 2014 Fair. Do you have a catchy or fun theme that you think would be perfect for the 2014 Nevada County Fair?
Visit the Fair’s website at NevadaCountyFair.com and submit a theme idea that you think would be perfect for the Fair. If the theme you submit is selected, you win. The winner will receive a 2014 Nevada County Fair package that includes two free admission tickets for each day of the Fair, a 5-day parking pass for the Fair, and ride coupons.
The contest is open to Nevada County residents only. Submissions must be five words or less and no trade-marked themes will be considered. The contest runs now through November 8, 2013. For those without access to the Internet, entry forms are available at the Nevada County Fairgrounds office, or information can be mailed to the Fairgrounds at P.O. Box 2687, Grass Valley, CA 95945. No phone entries will be accepted.
Once the winning theme is selected, there will be a contest to design artwork to illustrate the theme. Each year, the theme and artwork appear on advertisements, t-shirts, buttons, posters, banners and the Fair’s website to promote the Fair.
The 2014 Nevada County Fair is scheduled for August 6 – 10. For a complete list of contest rules or information, visit www.NevadaCountyFair.com or call (530) 273-6217.
“Winner of the Ultimate Hitch Competition – Freeman Yoder of Young Living Percherons, based out of Mona, Utah – performs at the 2013 Draft Horse Classic.” Photo credit: ProSportsPix.com
Awards for the 27th annual Draft Horse Classic, held September 19 – 22 at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley, have been announced. Gord Ruzicka of Viking, Alberta, Canada, judged the Draft Horse competitions and halter show. Dwight Gilbert from Nevada was the judge of the pulling contest; and Don Davis from Redding was the horseshoe competition judge.
More than 50 Draft Horse exhibitors – traveling from California, British Columbia, Nevada, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, and Wyoming – competed for approximately $40,000 in premium awards. The competitions took place during five performances over the four-day event.
The winner of the Ultimate Hitch competition was Freeman Yoder of Young Living Percherons, from Mona, Utah.
Dakota Messenger of Mark Messenger Memorial Hitch, from Cheyenne, Wyoming; and Katie Cook of Young Living Percherons, were recognized as the outstanding lady drivers, both accumulating high points to win the Susan Parnell High Point Perpetual Award.
The Teamster of the Year Award was presented to David and Patsy Cunningham, an honor bestowed upon them by the voting of their fellow teamsters. The Cunninghams are from Meadowlake Belgians in Carlton, Oregon. The Andy Amsbaugh Teamster Award went to Rick Newborn of Top Hand Ranch, Elverta, California; and Cadee Miller of Young Living Percherons, won the Youth of the Show award.
The Overall Supreme Champion horse, Hugh; and the Grand Champion Stallion, Ogdensburg HC Variety, are owned by Castagnasso Clydesdales and shown by Tony Knecht of Sonoma, California.
The Grand Champion Mare, Jansens Farms Kayla, is owned by Young Living Percherons, and shown by Freeman Yoder.
The winner in the 2013 Edward Martin Perpetual Horseshoeing Competition was Robbie Mederos.
At the third annual Classic BBQ Cook-Off, the Grand Champion was Jeff Lenke, cooking for Ash Kickin’ Smokers of Lincoln; and the Reserve Grand Champion prize went to Brian Choate, cooking for Smokin’ The Bandit BBQ of Plumas Lake. The People’s Choice Champion was Jack Simmons of Big Shot BBQ of Discovery Bay.
At the Harvest Fair, the People’s Choice award for the Scarecrows, as well as the Best of Division in the Scarecrows, went to Nancy Brown of Grass Valley.
A complete list of 2013 Draft Horse Classic awards, as well as all the Harvest Fair winners, the Horse Shoeing Contest winners, and a complete list of Barbecue Cook-Off results, is on the Nevada County Fairgrounds’ website at www.NevadaCountyFair.com.
The 2014 Draft Horse Classic is scheduled for September 25 – 28. Tickets will go on sale on May 1, 2014. Visit www.NevadaCountyFair.com for more information.
BOUNTY OF THE COUNTY” AND “CLASSIC BARBECUE COOK-OFF PART OF THE FESTIVITIES AT THE DRAFT HORSE CLASSIC WEEKEND
Bounty of the County” on Saturday, Sept. 21; “BBQ Cook-Off” on Sunday, Sept. 22
In between Draft Horse performances at the Nevada County Fairgrounds, September 19 – 22, take time to visit two tasty events happening on the grounds during the weekend – “Bounty of the County” and “Classic Barbecue Cook-Off.”
On Saturday, September 21, “Bounty of the County” takes place from 1 – 4 pm on The Green, near the Northern Mines Building. Bring your appetite to this fun and delicious event, hosted by Nevada County Grown. Bounty of the County is a pairing of fabulous local chefs with the finest produce and meats of Nevada County Grown farmers and ranchers. This is local, fresh, and delicious food at its best – and a feast for your palette. In addition to great food, there will be music, vendors, demonstrations, and children’s activities.
Tasting tickets – available at 2 tickets for $5 – will be sold at the event, and all proceeds are for the benefit of local agriculture. Additional details can be found at NevadaCountyGrown.org.
On Sunday, September 22, from 1:30 – 4 pm, watch as barbecue experts show off their cooking skills at the “Classic Barbecue Cook-Off.” Once they’re done cooking, you get to taste the treats – ribs, chicken, pulled pork tacos, sandwiches, brisket and a variety of delicious barbecue. Tasting tickets will be available at the event at 5 for $10. Come taste the treats and listen to live music by one of Nevada County’s favorite bands, The Dyin’ Breed.
In addition to these two tasty events, the Harvest Fair is bustling with activities during the weekend, including musical entertainment on the Pine Tree stage, Art at the Classic, Treat Street goodies, a clogging jamboree, a Western Trade Show, and visits to the barns.
The Draft Horse Classic and Harvest Fair runs September 19 – 22 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.
For tickets to the Draft Horse Classic performances, or for details about the Harvest Fair activities, visit NevadaCountyFair.com or call (530) 273-6217.
It’s free and all exhibitors will receive free tickets to a Draft Horse Classic performance
Entry forms are now being accepted for exhibit entries in the Harvest Fair, which takes place during the Draft Horse Classic, September 19 – 22, at the Nevada County Fairgrounds. The deadline for Nevada County residents to turn in entry forms to enter exhibits is 4 pm on Friday, September 13. It’s free to enter, and all exhibitors will receive complimentary tickets to the Friday evening performance of the Draft Horse Classic.
Entry forms are now being accepted at the Fair Office and on-line at Nevada County Fair website. There are more than 100 different categories to choose from, including fruits and vegetables, cobblers, harvest pies, scarecrows, a garden photo contest, jams, honey, cut flowers, produce characters, and birdhouses. There’s even a “Harrowingly Huge Harvest Haul” category for those extra big vegetables and fruit; and an Adult Artistic Corner for those interested in showing off arts and crafts. So many fun categories to choose from!
There’s a division for youth and teens, which includes categories like apple face dolls, decoupage, Halloween masks, painted pumpkins, wreaths, table settings, and ceramics. Plus, there’s a Special People’s division for those interested in showing off their talents at the Harvest Fair.
Exhibitors must either submit paper entry forms at the Fair office or enter online at Nevada County Fair website between now and Friday, September 13. It’s free and it’s simple!
Complete descriptions of all Harvest Fair divisions and categories are available online at Nevada County Fair website 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 19 – 22 at the Nevada County Fairgrounds. There are six performances featuring the beautiful 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 happening at the Fairgrounds throughout the event. Live entertainment, Art at the Classic, Treat Street goodies, a clogging jamboree, and visits to the barns make for a fun family day at the Harvest Fair. Plus, we’ve got two tasty events happening – Bounty of the County on Saturday and a Classic BBQ Cook-Off on Sunday.
For Draft Horse performance tickets or information about entering a Harvest Fair exhibit, call the Fair Office at (530) 273-6217 or visit Nevada County Fair website
Join the beautiful Draft Horses for the 27th annual Draft Horse Classic and Harvest Fair, happening September 19 – 22, 2013 at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley. Featuring six performances by the beautiful Draft Horses, this event is the premier Draft Horse show in the western United States.
The Classic spotlights a variety of horses, teams, rigs and performances; featuring everything from farm wagons, carriages, and driving competitions to dancing horses and racing mules. The stars of the show are the horses, and with more than 120 horses stabled on the grounds, the Classic offers a unique chance to observe them in a multitude of settings.
Tickets are on sale now! This year, we’ve lowered the price of adult admission tickets for evening performances – making them more affordable than ever. Additionally, we’re continuing our offer of discounted pricing on morning performances and children’s tickets.
In between classes, enjoy showcase specialty acts. This year, we welcome Tommie Turvey – a world-renowned equine entertainer, stuntman and one of the best movie horse trainers of today – who will be featured at each performance. Tommie’s horses have been featured in many movies, including “Batman: The Dark Knight,” and he did the training and filming of the Budweiser Clydesdales horses for the 2013 Superbowl commercial.
Also taking place at the Fairgrounds during the four days of the Classic is the Harvest Fair, which features musical entertainment, a clogging jamboree, Treat Street goodies, Art at the Classic, horse shoeing demonstrations, a chance to visit with the horses, and hundreds of community exhibits.
On Saturday of the Classic, spend time at the Bounty of the County. Sponsored by Nevada County Grown, Bounty of the County takes place from 1 – 4 pm and is a pairing of fabulous local chefs and barbecue experts with the produce and meats of Nevada County Grown farmers and ranchers. This is local, fresh, and delicious food at its best – and a feast for your palette. Information is available at www.NevadaCountyGrown.org.
On Sunday of the Classic, it’s the third annual Classic BBQ Cook-Off happening from 1:30 – 4 pm. Whether you want to watch BBQ experts show off their cooking skills or simply join the fun and taste the treats – the BBQ Cook-Off is the place to be! Tasting tickets will be available at the event.
This year’s Draft Horse Classic is September 19 – 22 at the tree-covered Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley, 50 miles northeast of Sacramento. Tickets are on sale now, and can be purchased by calling the Fairgrounds Office at (530) 273-6217 or visiting the Fairgrounds’ website at www.NevadaCountyFair.com.
Debby Biddinger, director of Tall Pines Nursery School at the Nevada County Fairgrounds. Photo Credit: Nevada County Fairgrounds
Debby Biddinger was recently named the 2013 Blue Ribbon Award recipient by the Nevada County Fairgrounds Board of Directors. The award was created by the Fair’s industry association, the Western Fairs Association (WFA), to recognize dedicated individuals who support their local Fair and continuously contribute to the quality of the Fair. Debby was recognized for her ongoing support of the Fairgrounds and its many activities, and for all her work at Tall Pines Nursery School at the Fairgrounds.
Debby has been the director of Tall Pines Nursery, a parent co-op preschool located at the Nevada County Fairgrounds, since 1985. She has also served as a teacher during this time and has become affectionately known as “Teacher Debby.” During her 28 years at Tall Pines, Debby has seen almost 3,000 children pass through the preschool, and now has some families with three generations who have attended the school.
During the Fair, the preschool is closed; however, Debby can be found at the Fairgrounds getting the Tall Pines Nursery booth ready for the Fair, where they serve Round Table Pizza to Fair-goers as a fundraiser for the school.
Raised in Nevada County, Debby has been married to her husband, Tim, for 36 years, and they have a daughter, Amy. Throughout her years at the preschool, Debby has recruited both her husband and her daughter to help out at the preschool. To them, it’s “definitely a family event.” Their daughter, Amy, has followed in her Mom’s footsteps and is now a math teacher at Forest Charter.
“I truly love everything about the Fairgrounds – and I love that Tall Pines is such a part of the Fairgrounds,” said Debby. “I’m surprised and overwhelmed to receive this award, and I feel very fortunate to be able to work in such a beautiful location, with the families and children I serve, and among the Fair team.”
“Debby is truly one of the Fair’s best friends,” said Sandy Woods, CEO of the Fairgrounds. “She has a deep love for the Fairgrounds and she passes that passion on to her little students. She is one of the guardians of California’s Most Beautiful Fairgrounds and is very protective of the facility. She is held in very high esteem by the entire Fair staff and we consider her part of the Fair family. We are thrilled to be able to honor her with this industry award.”
Debby was recognized in a surprise presentation at the Fair’s Opening Ceremonies on Wednesday, August 7.
