Dan Simpson – Photo courtesy of Nevada County Fair
Segment to air on Friday, June 7, and Saturday, June 8
This weekend, Rural Heritage will feature a ½ hour program on the annual Draft Horse Classic held at the Nevada County Fairgrounds. The segment on the Draft Horse Classic will air on Friday, June 7, at 11 am, and again on Saturday, June 8, at noon, Pacific Time, on RFD TV.
The segment will feature the Draft Horse Classic, which has become the premier Draft Horse Show in the Western United States. The footage covers the 2012 Classic, including the various competitions, interviews with participants, Harvest Fair activities, and lots of close up shots of the stars of the show – the beautiful Draft Horses.
This year’s Draft Horse Classic is September 19 – 22 at the tree-covered Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley. 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
Wendy Oaks
Publicist, Nevada County Fairgrounds
(530) 273-6217
Join us for a ghoulishly good time at the Graveyard Ghoul-a at the Nevada County Fairgrounds on Saturday, October 27, from 8 pm to midnight. As part of the fun, there will be numerous costume contests, including one for the most original costume, one for the scariest/goriest costume, one for the best costumed couple, and one for the most humorous costume. Contestants will have a chance to win cash, as well as carnival tickets and tickets to the annual Nevada County Fair and the Draft Horse Classic.
The event will feature dancing, and DJsBobby ‘G’ and Tonni ‘T’ playing dance hits and crowd-favorites that will keep the crowd moving all night! They’ll also be taking requests at the event, so be prepared to dance to your favorite song!
A bar will be available for beer and booooze; hamburgers, hot dogs, nachos, and sweets will be available; and fantastic door prizes will be given away.
Tickets to the Graveyard Ghoul-a are $10 if purchased in advance, and $15 at the door. Parking is free. For your convenience, camping will be available for only $10. Must be 21 years or older to attend.
To purchase your tickets in advance, visit the Fair Office on McCourtney Road or call the Fair Office at (530) 273-6217. Details can be found at click here.
For all your real estate needs
Email or call today:
John J. O’Dell Realtor® GRI
Civil Engineer
General Contractor
(530) 263-1091
Email <a href=”mailto:jodell@nevadacounty.com”>jodell@nevadacounty.com</a>
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
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
: Local Lions Clubs will provide free glaucoma and vision screening services at the Nevada County Fair on Friday, August 10. 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
Email or call today:
John J. O’Dell Realtor® GRI
Civil Engineer
General Contractor
(530) 263-1091
Email jodell@nevadacounty.com
Preparing for the Junior Livestock Auction on Sunday of the Fair are (from left to right): Zoe Fink, who donated the Heritage Hog; and Sierra Mitchell, who is raising the Heritage Hog for the Nevada County Fairgrounds Foundation. Photo credit: Nevada County Fair
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
Rodeo 2011 Nevada County Fairgrounds. Photo credit: Nevada County Fair
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.
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
The Smith Family Photo credit: Shaffers Originals of Grass Valley
By Wendy Oaks
The Smith Family of Nevada City has been named the 2012 Family of the Year by the Nevada County Fair’s Board of Directors. The Board chose the Smith Family because of their ongoing participation in the Nevada County Fair and their commitment to youth in agriculture.
Chip and Liz Smith moved to Nevada County about 15 years ago, and one of their first activities was attending the Nevada County Fair. Having moved here from Vermont, they were drawn to the beauty of the Fairgrounds and the activity in the livestock barn. During that visit, their daughter Chloe, who was 11 at the time, was invited to sit in the pygmy goat pen. Chloe fell in love, and that, says Liz, was the beginning of their “goat addiction and involvement in the Nevada County Fair and 4H.”
Since that time, Chip and Liz have been 4H leaders in goat projects – including pygmy, dairy, and meat goats – and now raise dairy goats. Liz shows the family dairy goats at the Fair each year, as well as in open shows. Chip works as the goat barn superintendent at the Nevada County Fair, and has also been showing goats in open shows for many years.
In the community, Chip volunteers with the Nevada County Ag Youth Boosters, volunteers at his children’s school, and has been a youth soccer and youth basketball volunteer coach for many years. Liz, who recently graduated from California State University, Sacramento, with her Master of Science degree in Counseling, also volunteered in the schools and at Sierra Adoption Services, and most recently at Community Recovery Resources.
Chip and Liz have four children –Kaitlin, 26; Chloe, 24; Isabelle, 12; and Joshua, 10. Kaitlin is a hair stylist in Grass Valley. Chloe, who showed as a 4H exhibitor and in open shows until she graduated from Nevada Union, will graduate in December with her Master of Science degree in Agricultural Education. Isabelle and Joshua, who attend Nevada City School of the Arts, have grown up at the “goat barn” at the Fair, and have shown as 4H, Open, and Independent exhibitors.
“Each year, Chip volunteers countless hours to the Fair as the goat barn superintendent,” said Sandy Woods, CEO of the Fairgrounds. “His volunteer services are greatly appreciated, and the Smith family’s enthusiasm and knowledge of goats, and countless hours of service, is greatly beneficial to the entire livestock community. We are thrilled to be able to recognize them as the Fair’s Family of the Year.”
About being named the Fair’s Family of the Year, Liz says, “It was a huge surprise to all of us, and we consider it a great honor. We are very thankful.”
The Smith Family will be honored at opening ceremonies of the Nevada County Fair, August 8 – 12. They will receive a Fair ticket package, as well a family portrait created by Shaffers Originals of Grass Valley.
Wendy Oaks
Publicist, Nevada County Fairgrounds
(530) 273-6217
wsoaks@gmail.com
New striping creates safer access to businesses and more efficient traffic flow during Fair
This weekend, the County of Nevada completed restriping on McCourtney Road, in front of the Nevada County Fairgrounds, from Brighton Street to Auburn Road. The new striping includes a center two-way left turn lane, through lanes in each direction, and shoulder/bicycle lanes on each side of the road.
This striping is intended to provide safer access to properties across from the Fairgrounds as well as improve the ability to move traffic more efficiently during peak events like the annual Nevada County Fair.
During the Nevada County Fair, and other events at the Fairgrounds that draw large crowds, Fair personnel will use cones to turn the center lane into another lane for inbound traffic throughout an event.
The Nevada County Fairgrounds are located at 11228 McCourtney Road in Grass Valley. This year’s Nevada County Fair is August 8 – 12. For information about upcoming events, visit www.NevadaCountyFair.com or call (530) 273-6217.
For all your real estate needs
Email or call today:
John J. O’Dell Realtor® GRI
Civil Engineer
General Contractor
(530) 263-1091
Email <a href=”mailto:jodell@nevadacounty.com”>jodell@nevadacounty.com</a>
Butch Butler, along with Art and Ann Grosse, have been named to the Nevada County Fair’s Hall of Fame. The Fair’s Board of Directors recognized the individuals for their long-time support and dedication to the Nevada County Fair.
Butch Butler Photo credit: Butler family
Butch Butler, CEO and President of Butler Amusement, helped start Butler Amusement in 1970 with his parents. At the time of his death in December 2011, he was the company’s CEO and President, and had contracted with more than 100 festivals and fairs, including the Nevada County Fair. During his lifetime, Butch made significant improvements to carnival ride safety and game legislation in California. He was a member of the Western Fairs Association’s Hall of Fame, and past president of Showmen’s League of America & Showfolks of America, and the Pacific Coast Showmen’s Association.
In nominating Butch, the Fair Board recognized Butler Amusements’ great partnership with the Nevada County Fair. They applauded Butch for his leadership in the fair industry; his mentoring; and his generosity, as evidenced by his contributions to the Junior Livestock Auction as well as his capital investment contributions.
“Butch has always been a great friend to the Nevada County Fair,” said Sandy Woods, CEO of the Nevada County Fair. “He will be missed within the Fair industry, and especially by the Nevada County Fair team. We are honored to be able to recognize him in this manner.”
Jill Moyer, Butch’s daughter, explains her father’s love for the Nevada County Fair. “My father loved the Nevada County Fair – especially the trees at the Fairgrounds, and the challenge of placing the correct ride into the center of a group of trees, as if it was also grown there. He also valued his relationships at the Fair – the partnerships with Sandy Woods and Ed Scofield were more of a friendship than a business relationship, and he loved and respected both Sandy and Ed. Our family is honored that our father has been chosen for the Hall of Fame. He would have taken great pride in this honor.”
Butch is the father of five children, and had 10 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
Ann and Art Grosse are being recognized for the their time and commitment to the Nevada County Fairgrounds, particularly during the annual Country Christmas Faire held each November, where they have served as Santa and Mrs. Claus for the past 26 years.
“We’ve been doing this for so long, we now see the children of the children who used to visit us when we first started,” laughs Art. When asked what made them return each year, Art says without hesitation – the children! “We’ve love the children – listening to them and their requests each year. More often than not, children would ask for something for their parents or siblings or friends, instead of something for themselves. It’s quite heart-warming.”
The Grosses live in Rough and Ready, and are both active with the Rough and Ready Chamber of Commerce, where Ann is a member and Art is on the Board of Directors. Art also serves as Chairman of the Board for the Rough and Ready Volunteer Fire District. They have been married for 51 years, and have three children, five grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren. Art proudly reports that all of their grandchildren, with the exception of their seven-week-old great grandchild, have sat on their laps as Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Christmas Faire.
“Art and Ann have unselfishly dedicated 26 years to bringing the joy and magic of Christmas to thousands of boys and girls,” said Sandy Woods. “They have been great examples of the importance of inspiring a child’s hopes and dreams, particularly during the magical Christmas season.”
Butler and the Grosses will be formally inducted into the Hall of Fame at opening day ceremonies on Wednesday, August 8. Butch’s daughter, Jill, will accept the award on behalf of her father.
The 2012 Nevada County Fair is August 8 – 12. For more information, visit Nevada County Fair.com or call (530) 273-6217.
A very basic map of Nevada County in California (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The deadline to turn in entry forms to enter a still exhibit in the Nevada County Fair has been extended – so there’s more time to enter an exhibit or two in the Nevada County Fair. The deadline for submitting paper entry forms or to enter on-line using the Fair’s on-line entry system is Friday, July 27 at 4 pm. There are no entry fees for most categories (that’s right – it’s FREE), so simply visit the Fair Office on McCourtney Road or log-on to the Fair’s website at Nevada County Fair to complete the entry process.
This deadline extension is for still exhibits only, as livestock exhibit entries are closing on July 20.
Complete descriptions of all categories are available in the Fair’s Competition Handbook, which is available on the Fair’s website at www.NevadaCountyFair.com, at the Fair office, area libraries, and local chamber of commerce offices.
The 2012 Fair is August 8 – 12. For more information, call (530) 273-6217 or visit Nevada County Fair
