Special Contests and Activities (2023)

The 2024 Fair is August 7-11. This page will be updated starting in June 2024.

(2023)

Plan a visit or two to the at the 2023 Nevada County Fair for action-packed activities! 

In the Special Events Tent

Country Fun Kid Games
Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday (noon-1 pm) and Friday (2 pm – 3 pm)
Join the fun! We will be playing Cowboy and Country themed games like Tumblin’ Tumbleweed, Snake in my Boot and Round ‘Em Up! So get ready to vie for fun prizes at the Tent!

Kids Make & Take: Cowboy Snacks
Wednesday and Thursday (1 pm – 2 pm) & Sunday (2:30 pm – 3:30 pm)
Create Cowboy snacks to nibble, we’ll be making: Chocolate Cowboy hats, Pony Cookies and Campfire Crackers.

Kids Make & Take: Country & Cowboy Crafts   (sponsored by Ben Franklin)
Wednesday and Thursday (2 pm – 3 pm) & Sunday (3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Make One or Make Them All!  Choose a Pool Noodle Horse, Paper Plate Cowboy Hat, make a Clothespin Cowboy or paint a Cowboy Boot.  Join us at the Tent and embrace those Country Roots!

Shuck It! A Corn Husking Contest
Wednesday (3:30 pm – 4:30 pm)
If you love to shuck corn, this contest is for you. Think you got what it takes to be the fastest at husking an ear of corn clean?  Join us… but know, there’s a twist… You have to remove the husk and the silk with your feet!  Limited number of entrants allowed.

Frozen T-Shirt Challenge
Thursday (3 pm – 4:30 pm)
Be the first to fit into a frozen t-shirt. Shirts are doused with water, scrunched and frozen. The object is to thaw the t-shirt and successfully fit your head and arms into the shirt. The first person to do so in their age category will be the winner. Limited number of entrants allowed.

Squash Mobile Racing
Friday (Noon – 2 pm)
Attach wheels to a squash and watch it go. Bring a squash or use one of ours – create, decorate and get ready to race. No pre-registration required – just show up and have fun.  Come join the fun!

Watermelon Eating Challenge (sponsored by Natural Selection)
Friday (3:30 pm – 4:30 pm)
Do you like watermelon?  A lot? Join us for this returning contest. Be the first to finish your slice of melon, without using your hands and win! Embrace those ‘Country Roots’ and chomp on that melon! Prizes awarded for winners in each age category.

Live Art Showdown (sponsored by Ben Franklin)
Saturday (1:30 pm – 4:30 pm)
Artists of all ages will each create a painting in 20 minutes. The audience will then vote for their favorite. Great prizes awarded to our winners. AND, you can buy this instant art on site after the contest is complete. Advanced registration required via form:

pdf Art Showdown Flyer

pdf Art Showdown Entry Form

Hair for Good with The Hair Loft

Sunday, between 12 pm – 2 pm
Join us – and be a hero for kids with cancer and hair loss!

Register to make your hair do some good!  Donate your ponytail (minimum 8″) OR go the extra mile and rock the shaved head!! Get your friends and family to support your efforts and raise money for St. Baldrick’s Foundation, a nonprofit focused on Childhood Cancer Research.  All donated to be sent to Children with Hair Loss, a group who provides wigs for kids.  Stylists from the Hair Loft in Grass Valley will on hand to assist with the hair donation process, as well as to cut and style your hair or shave your head for free! Pre-register before August 9th to shave your head and/or donate your hair and get free entrance into the Fair for the day of the event. Hair For Good | A St. Baldrick’s Event (stbaldricks.org)

“Minute to Win It”
Daily (4:30 pm – 5:30 pm)
Based on the always popular collection of challenges, come try to beat the clock. No entry forms or fees required. All ages welcome. Show up and get ready to play!

Ultimate Food Contests
Wednesday and Friday, 6:00 pm

Hand Pies of the World! Wednesday, 6:00 pm

Garden Fresh Salsa or Pico d Gallo, Friday, 6:00 pm

These food contests are a fun way to show off your skills and a favorite recipe!  See page 34 in the Competition Handbook for details here.  Contestants who enter online by Monday, July 24th will receive a ticket to the Fair for the day of the event.

Who Knows That Tune? – A Music Trivia Contest
Thursday, Saturday, Sunday starting at 6pm with a new round every ½ hour

Who doesn’t love music!  Think you know your stuff? Come to the Tent and use your music know-how to win fun prizes.  Each round will see teams receive a clue and then listen to a snippet of a song.  Be the first to guess that tune and earn points – team with the most points wins the round and the prizes!

Bring your friends, bring your family and sign up your team to compete!  Sign-ups start at 12 noon, space is limited.  Teams must be between 2 and 6 individuals.

Karaoke
Every Night (8 – 11 pm); Sunday (8 – 10 pm)
Sing your heart out and show off your talent. Join fellow Fair goers for fun and entertaining rounds of karaoke. No pre-registration required; just come to the , sign up, and get ready to sing.