In preparation for the annual Father’s Day Bluegrass Festival, June 12 – 15, in addition to a private music camp June 8 – 11, the Nevada County Fairgrounds will be closed to walkers and bicyclists beginning June 8. The Fairgrounds will re-open its gates to walkers and bicyclists as usual on Monday, June 16. This closure does not affect the Main Office, which is open during its normal business hours of Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm.
The RV Park at the Fairgrounds will also be closed to the public from June 8 – 15.
At various times throughout the year the grounds are rented by organizations for large, community events like the Bluegrass Festival, the KVMR Celtic Festival, Strawberry Music Festival, and The California WorldFest. During these times, it becomes necessary to close the grounds to pedestrians in preparation for these various events.
If you are interested in attending the festival, please visit www.cbaontheweb.org or call (209) 588-6031. For more information about the Nevada County Fairgrounds, visit www.NevadaCountyFair.com or call (530) 273-6217.
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The Nevada County Fairgrounds is pleased to announce that this year’s Strawberry Music Festival will be held at the beautiful tree-covered Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley on September 11 – 14.
This popular music festival – which features four days of music, camping and recreation – draws thousands of musicians, entertainers, and music enthusiasts from across the United States each year. The festival features a wide range of musical acts, representing many different musical genres, including Americana, bluegrass, blues, folk, swing, rock, Cajun, Celtic and gospel.
Last year, Strawberry Music’s Fall Festival was cancelled due to the Rim Fire that burned around their festival home near Yosemite. After being denied a permit for this year’s fall festival at Camp Mather, they came to the Nevada County Fairgrounds to ask for sanctuary so that the festival could continue.
The Strawberry Music Festival is one of several popular, world-class music festivals held at the Nevada County Fairgrounds each year. This year’s line-up includes the California Bluegrass Festival, June 12 – 15; Music in the Mountain’s SummerFest Outdoor Series,
June 26 – July 3; California WorldFest, July 10 – 13; and the Celtic Fest, September 26 – 28.
For more information about the Strawberry Music Festival, call (209) 984-8630 or visit www.strawberrymusic.com. For information about the Nevada County Fairgrounds, visit www.NevadaCountyFair.com or call (530) 273-6217.
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Community planning meeting scheduled for May 8 at 6 pm at Ponderosa Hall
It’s back – the Destruction Derby at the Nevada County Fair! This year’s Derby, held on Sunday of the Nevada County Fair, will be locally produced by five of Nevada County’s Rotary Clubs – The Rotary Club of Nevada City, Rotary Club of Nevada County South, 49er Breakfast Rotary of Nevada City, Penn Valley Rotary, and Rotary Club of Grass Valley.
To prepare for this exciting Fair-time event, Rotary has scheduled a planning meeting for the community – for potential drivers, sponsors and derby enthusiasts – on Thursday, May 8, from 6 – 7 pm at Ponderosa Hall at the Nevada County Fairgrounds.
This is a chance to get together to discuss the Derby, find out how to be a driver in this event, learn more about this year’s plans for the Derby, and give feedback on how to make this one of the best events of the Nevada County Fair. Additionally, registration forms will be available for drivers interested in entering the Derby.
“The Nevada County Fairgrounds is extremely pleased that the Rotarians, who are leaders in our community, are taking on the production of the Destruction Derby at the Fair,” said Sandy Woods, CEO of the Nevada County Fairgrounds.
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Applications available for those interested in performing or demonstrating at this year’s Fair
The Nevada County Fair is now accepting applications for local entertainers and community acts to perform at the 2014 Nevada County Fair, August 6 – 10. Do you have a dance group you’d like to see perform at the Fair? Does your group have a skill they’d like to demonstrate to Fair-goers? Want to do a martial arts demonstration or a cheerleading demonstration or show off your baton twirling skills? If so, the Fairgrounds wants your application. This is a great way to share your talents with the community!
Applications are now available on the website at www.NevadaCountyFair.com. To be considered, the application must be returned to the Fairgrounds by June 2. There is no paid compensation for community showcases and demonstrations.
The application is for those interested in performing on the Dance Pad (available afternoon and evening hours); The Green (available during afternoon hours); or the Tumbleweed Stage (available evening hours only).
This year’s Fair is August 6 – 10, and the theme is “Simply Fun.” For more information, visit www.NevadaCountyFair.com or call (530) 273-6217.
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Winner 2012 artwork design by Sandy Gold of Grass Valley
Submit the winning artwork for the 2014 Nevada County Fair and you could win $250
The Nevada County Fairgrounds is sponsoring a contest to find the best artwork to illustrate the 2014 Nevada County Fair theme. This year, we have two themes to choose from – “Simply Fun” OR “Lambs, Ham, Quilts and Jams.” The winning art will determine which of these two themes we choose for the 2014 Nevada County Fair. If you’re a talented artist, and you’d like $250, this is the contest to enter!
The contest, which is open to Nevada County residents only, takes place now through Friday, January 17. If you submit the winning artwork, you will win $250 and a 2014 Nevada County Fair package that includes admission tickets, parking and carnival coupons. Additionally, the winning artwork will be used on various Fair promotional pieces, print ads, buttons, banners, posters, and flyers.
Interested artists may use any medium and can submit up to three entries, which must be on 8-1/2 by 11-inch paper. Artists can submit artwork for either or both themes. Entries can be delivered to the Fairgrounds Office at 11228 McCourtney Road or mailed to the Fair Office at PO Box 2687, Grass Valley, CA 95945. A complete set of rules can be found on the Fair’s website at NevadaCountyFair.com, or by calling the Fair Office at (530) 273-6217.
Dawn Narvaez of Penn Valley submitted the theme of “Simply Fun,” and Carol Jarosik of Grass Valley submitted the theme of “Lambs, Hams, Quilts and Jams.” Both theme names were chosen from the more than 185 theme names submitted during our community contest to determine the theme for the 2014 Nevada County Fair, held August 6 – 10.
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Best of Show 2013 Cathy Rogers of Browns Valley, CA
Gingerbread House Competition Results and Canned Food Drive Results
A successful canned food drive, more than 120 vendors, and 42 gingerbread houses built made the 29th Annual Country Christmas Faire at the Nevada County Fairgrounds a success.
The 11th Annual Gingerbread House Competition was once again a crowd favorite, with 42 entries received. Of those entries, the Best of Show winner was Cathy Rodgers of Browns Valley, and the People’s Choice Award went to Joanne Perilman and Crew of Grass Valley. The Best of Show is chosen by the judges, and the People’s Choice is selected through ballots cast by individuals who attend the Craft Faire.
People’s Choice winner Joanne Perilman and Crew of Grass Valley
First place winners in the traditional categories include Bailey Ingalis and Jillian Beaver (age 5 & under); Willow West, Hunter Casteel, and Finn Becker (age 6-8); Owen Strolle, Nate Becker, and Molly Becker (age 9-12); Jenna Deutschman (age 13-17); Tina Ennis (age 18 -64); Joan Morton (age 65 & over); Keith Wemple (special needs); Girl Scout Troup 1024, The Awesomes, Sunday School Class, S. Lemons 3rd Grade Class, GVSD 4th Grade, GVSD 2nd Grade, and 1st Grade Clear Creek School (group – children); Yvonne Read (family); and Andres Price (Adult/Group – ages 18 and over).
The first place winner in the non-traditional categories is Cathy Rodgers (adult/group – ages 18 and over).
With the help of Grass Valley Elks, Sunday’s canned food drive collected enough food to feed 30 Nevada County families during the Christmas season.
The names of all the Gingerbread House Competition winners can be found on the Fairgrounds’ website at www.NevadaCountyFair.com. The 2014 Country Christmas Faire is planned for Thanksgiving weekend, November 28, 29, and 30.
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Dates for Christmas Fair – November 29, November 30, and December 1
Mark your calendar for the 29th annual Country Christmas Faire at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley on November 29, November 30, and December1. Rated as one of the top handcrafted shows in Northern California, the Country Christmas Faire features unique gifts and crafts from top artisans from across the state.
Exhibit buildings will be filled during the Thanksgiving weekend, giving shoppers a chance to start their holiday shopping with quality hand-made holiday items, ornaments, jewelry, wooden crafts, soaps and lotions, hand-woven baskets, stained glass, candles, beadwork, and dozens of other unique gifts.
Visitors to the Faire will enjoy strolling live entertainment, festival foods, the magical Gingerbread House exhibit, errand elves, and a community bon-fire. Wagon rides around the Fairgrounds will be offered; and Victorian singers, the bell ringing RiverBells, and the Sierra Symphony quartet will perform throughout the event.
Santa will be available each day until an hour before the event closes, so bring your camera to capture that special photo with Santa.
Free babysitting will be offered in Tall Pines Building, so parents can drop off their children while they enjoy holiday shopping. Additionally, Story Club, with free children’s story telling and free book giveaways, will be offered daily in the Tall Pines Building at 10 am, 11 am, and 3 pm.
On Sunday of the Faire, the Nevada County Fairgrounds will partner with Grass Valley Elks for a canned Food Drive. Bring a can of food on Sunday, December 1,from 10 am to 4 pm, and receive $1 off Sunday’s admission price (one coupon per person). All food donated will help feed those in need in Nevada County.
The Country Christmas Faire begins Friday, November 29, and runs through Sunday,
December 1. Admission is $4 for adults, and children 12 and under are free. Parking is $5; however, Faire-goers will receive one free admission for each paid parking pass. The hours are 10 am – 5 pm on Friday and Saturday, and 10 am – 4 pm on Sunday.
The Nevada County Fairgrounds is located at 11228 McCourtney Road in Grass Valley, 50 miles northeast of Sacramento, off Highway 49. For more information, visit the Fairgrounds’ web site at NevadaCountyFair.com or call (530) 273-6217.
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Now is the time for holiday bakers to think about the creation of a magical Gingerbread House to enter into the 11th annual Gingerbread House Competition at the Country Christmas Faire, held November 29, November 30 and December 1 at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley.
Houses, bungalows, cottages, and castles fashioned from spicy gingerbread will be displayed for holiday shoppers to enjoy at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley during the Thanksgiving weekend festivities.
Competitors may enter any of the many categories, including children, teens, adults, special needs, families, and groups. There’s even a category for children under 8 years of age who want to enter a house made by a kit.
Ribbons are given to all winners, and, additionally, the Best of Show winner will receive $100. A special gift basket from Tess’ Kitchen Store will be also awarded to the Best of Show winner and the People’s Choice Award.
Entry forms must be received at the Fairgrounds between now and Friday, November 22 by 4 pm. The actual gingerbread house entry must be delivered to the Fairgrounds on Tuesday, November 26 between the hours of 11 am – 6 pm. The cost is $2 to enter, and all Gingerbread House exhibitors will receive two free passes to the Country Christmas Faire.
Entry forms and a complete list of rules can be picked up at the Fairgrounds office on McCourtney Road, or downloaded from the Fair’s website at www.NevadaCountyFair.com.
The 29th annual Country Christmas Faire begins Friday, November 29, and runs through Sunday, December 1. The hours are 10 am – 5 pm on Friday and Saturday; and 10 am – 4 pm on Sunday. Admission is $4 for adults, and children 12 and under are free. Parking is $5; however, Faire-goers will receive one free admission for each paid parking pass.
Talented artisans fill the Fairgrounds exhibit buildings with quality hand-made crafts and unique gifts, so you can get all your holiday shopping done in one location. Visitors to the Faire will enjoy strolling live entertainment, festival foods, wagon rides, and a community bon-fire. Santa Claus will be on hand to greet children, so bring your camera to get that special photo. Santa will be available each day until an hour before closing time.
Free babysitting will be offered so parents can drop off their children while they enjoy holiday shopping, and errand elves will be available to assist shoppers throughout the event.
The Nevada County Fairgrounds is located at 11228 McCourtney Road in Grass Valley. For more information, visit www.NevadaCountyFair.com or call (530) 273-6217.
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Burning can only be done on a PERMISSIVE BURN DAY. You must call 530-274-7928 in Western Nevada County and 530-582-1027 in the Truckee area to see if it is a Permissive Burn day before you start burning
Escaped residential debris burns continue to be a leading cause of fire suppression calls in Nevada County. Learning to safely and cleanly burn vegetation debris helps to minimize smoke emissions and allows firefighters time to respond to true emergencies. It is your responsibility to know and follow local and state burning regulations. Failure to follow these regulations is a misdemeanor offense and you may be fined and prosecuted for the expense of containing a wildfire.
Burning is banned in the city limits of Grass Valley & Nevada City
Try the Fire Safe Council of Nevada County’s Chipping Program instead
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I’ve lived in Nevada County since 1965. As a licensed land surveyor and civil engineer, I’ve walked many a mile through the woods, and never have encountered a bear, a few rattlesnakes but no bears. However, as we crowd into their neighborhood, their natural food supplies diminishes and human sources of food becomes attractive.
