Nevada County Fair officials have scheduled a livestock meeting for Tuesday, September 11, to review the 2018 Fair’s livestock exhibits and to plan for the 2019 Fair.
The meeting will be held at 6 pm in Ponderosa Hall at the Nevada County Fairgrounds (Gate 2) on McCourtney Road. FFA advisors, 4-H leaders, Grange leaders, exhibitors and others interested in the Nevada County Fair livestock exhibits are invited to participate. While no specific timing is assigned to each species, the critique order is small animals, goats, beef, sheep and swine.
The livestock meeting is set each year following the Fair so that those involved in the Fair’s livestock exhibits can review and discuss what worked, as well as recommend improvements for the following year.
The 2019 Nevada County Fair is August 7 – 11. For more information about the Fair and the Nevada County Fairgrounds, visit http://www.NevadaCountyFair.com.
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Art Whitney Hall of Fame inductee. Photo credit: Shaffer Originals.
Art Whitney has been named to the Nevada County Fair’s Hall of Fame. The Fair’s Board of Directors recognized Art for his many years of service to the Nevada County Fair, as well as for his commitment to the growth and success of the Nevada County Fairgrounds.
Art served as a director on the Fair’s Board of Directors for two terms (1997 – 2001 and 2007 – 2012), as well as a Fair exhibitor, as a local beef 4H leader, and a county beef leader.
Art and his family moved to Nevada County in 1987, after a four year excursion living abroad on their sail boat. They settled in South County and immediately enrolled their sons in 4H beef projects. Since the 4H chapter didn’t have a beef leader at that time, he volunteered. He’s been involved in livestock ever since, and not surprisingly, when asked about his favorite part of the Fair, Art admits it’s all the livestock events – especially the Round Robin competition.
In addition to serving in the livestock community, Art was appointed to the Fairgrounds’ Board of Directors in 1987, where he took an entrepreneurial approach to decision making and utilized his strong livestock background to guide the Board. Additionally, Art generously contributed to the improvements in the livestock barns – the development of the Whitney Pavilion and the Beef Show Ring are evidence of Art’s personal generosity.
“I believe the Fair is an integral component in the process of raising children,” said Art. “This environment provides the perfect mechanism for developing young minds and bodies. It is here that kids learn communication and team building skills and have a terrific time that they will remember forever. I hope the community understands the importance of preserving this great venue so future families will enjoy the same benefits that so many families before them have. Given the current financial predicament of our state, it is imperative that the Nevada County community bond together and financially support this great institution.”
Art is the CEO of Pacific West Pharmacy and Advantage Pharmaceuticals. He is also the Chairman of the Board of the Placer County Farm Supply, and a member of the Board of Directors at Mayers Memorial Hospital. Art and his wife Caroline have three boys who have all participated in the Fair and have gone on to be outstanding citizens in their communities. Additionally, they have a daughter, who attends McArthur High School (in Fall River Mills), serves as McArthur’s FFA Chapter president, and is active in the local county fair.
When he’s not working or volunteering, he enjoys time on his ranch, Whitney Meadows, “where we raise all of our own hay, have a herd of registered horned Herefords, and too many horses. We enjoy watching our daughter compete in rodeo and we spend a lot of time helping neighbors with annual brandings, which mimic the old days of spending days gathering cattle, roping and dragging to the fire with great community camaraderie.”
Art is surprised about his induction into the Hall of Fame. “What an honor,” he said. “I’m not sure I deserve this; there are tons of folks who dedicate so much to make this Fair great.”
“As a director, Art provided insight and wisdom, and his business vision and forward thinking attitude led the Fair to embrace an enterprising business style,” said Sandy Woods, CEO of the Nevada County Fairgrounds. “He is an astute business person, as well as incredibly generous. It’s an honor to be able to recognize him in the Nevada County Fair Hall of Fame.”
Art will be formally inducted into the Hall of Fame at opening day ceremonies on Wednesday, August 7. In addition to access to the Fair and its many activities, Art will receive a portrait donated by Shaffers Originals of Grass Valley.
The 2013 Nevada County Fair is August 7 – 11. For more information, visit www.NevadaCountyFair.com or call (530) 273-6217.
By:
Wendy Oaks
Publicist, Nevada County Fairgrounds
(530) 273-6217 wsoaks@gmail.com
Mark your calendar for the event voted as “Nevada County’s Best” for 10 years in a row – the 2010 Nevada County Fair, August 11 – 15, at “California’s Most Beautiful Fairgrounds,” the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley.
“Rooted in Tree-dition” is this year’s theme and five days of “tree-mendous” fun are planned for Fair-goers of all ages. Live entertainment will be available every day at five different stages throughout the Fairgrounds. There’s also carnival rides and games, barns full of livestock, thousands of community exhibits, special contests, an Idol Competition, nightly arena events, daily demonstrations, magic shows, gold panning, and food contests. As always, Treat Street will be serving an array of delicious food and drinks – corn dogs, pasties, tacos, corn on the cob, beer, tempura zucchini, nachos, hamburgers, funnel cakes and caramel corn – just to name a few!
Long-time crowd pleasing events will soar into the Fair’s arena Wednesday through Sunday, presenting thrills ranging from a rodeo to Monster Trucks to the Demolition Derby.
The Ag Mechanics Auction will be held on Friday of the Fair, and the Junior Livestock Auction will be held on Sunday, August 15. These popular annual events will raise more than $400,000 for Nevada County youth in agriculture.
For those interested in entering competitions and projects for judging, the Fair’s Competition Handbook will be available June 1. At that time, all of the categories, as well as online entry information, will be listed on the Fair’s web site atNevada County Fair.
Gates open each day at 10 am, and close each evening at 11 pm. Admission this year will be $8 for adults, $6 for seniors (65 and older), $3 for children 6 to 12, and free to children five years old and younger.
At one of the most affordable fairs in California, take advantage of one of several pre-sale packages available this year, including a special “Be A Kid” price of only $3 for a Thursday adult admission ticket; or a pre-sale Fair admission ticket for $5 for any one day of the Fair. Kids Day will once again be held on Thursday from 10 am to 5 pm and during that time all children 12 years and under are admitted for free. Other pre-sale packages and coupons will be announced in June.
The Nevada County Fairgrounds is located at 11228 McCourtney Road in Grass Valley, 50 miles northeast of Sacramento, off Highway 49. For directions, event details or general information, visit Nevada County Fair or call the Fair Office at (530) 273-6217. Our blog can be found at Nevada County Fair Blog, or you can follow us on Facebook or MySpace.
