Fairgrounds CEO Announces Retirement

January 23, 2015 |

After serving for 20 years at the Nevada County Fairgrounds, Chief Executive Officer Sandy Woods announced this week that she will be retiring as CEO. Woods’ retirement will be effective upon the hiring of a new CEO. She will continue in her role as CEO until that time, and will assist the Fairgrounds’ Board of Directors in a transition plan for a new CEO.

Woods has worked at the Nevada County Fairgrounds since 1995, where she started as Deputy Manager, and has served as the CEO since 2009. Additionally, Woods has served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Western Fairs Association since 2005, and served as the WFA Board President in 2012. She is the former Chair of the California Fairs Alliance, which provides advocacy and resource development for the network of California fairs. Woods was recently inducted into the Western Fairs Association’s Hall of Fame, and recognized for her dedication and significant contributions to the fair industry.

An executive search for the new Chief Executive Officer will begin in February.

Categories: Announcements.
Tags: CEO, Grass Valley, Nevada County Fair, Nevada County Fairgrounds, and retirement.

“Catch the Fair Bug!” Artwork Contest

January 16, 2015 |

There’s still time to enter the artwork for our contest to find the best artwork to illustrate the 2015 Nevada County Fair theme – “Catch the Fair Bug!” – featuring bugs and insects. If you’re a talented artist, and you’d like $250, this is the contest to enter! Deadline is January 30.

Categories: Announcements and Nevada County Fair.
Tags: "Catch the Fair Bug", 2015 Nevada County Fair, Art Contest, and Nevada County Fair.

Celebrating Sandy Woods

January 16, 2015 |

This week, the Nevada County Fair team celebrated the induction of Nevada County Fairgrounds CEO Sandy Woods into Western Fairs Association’s Hall of Fame. Go, Sandy, go! Well deserved and happy to celebrate you!

Below is a photo of Pat Kress, 2014 WFA President, along with Sandy Woods. Two dear friends, and two dear friends to the Nevada County Fair.

Sandy and Pat at WFA convention (2015)

 

Categories: Nevada County Fairgrounds.
Tags: hall of fame, Nevada County Fair, Western Fairs, Western Fairs Association, and WFA.

Funding for Fairs, Governor’s Proposed Budget

January 10, 2015 |

We are thankful that Governor Brown recognizes the great value of the network of California’s fairs. Thank you!
Funding for Fairs, Governor Brown’s Proposed Budget
(January 9, 2015)–California’s Governor Jerry Brown released his proposed 2015-2016 state budget, and it included the following for California fairs:

California Fairs–CDFA is responsible for fiscal and policy oversight of the network of California fairs. General Fund support for California fairs was eliminated in 2011.Three years later, 15 fairs are fiscally challenged and at risk of closing. In recognition of the impact California fairs have on local economies and their educational and social benefits, the Budget includes $3.1 million General Fund to assist with fair operations,improve the financial stability of smaller fairs statewide, and provide funding to support additional fair board training. The Budget also includes a one-time allocation of $7 million General Fund for deferred maintenance at California fairs, which is part of a larger statewide effort to address the state’s infrastructure needs.
The budget will now head to the legislature for extensive hearings that traditionally begin in May. More details will be available at the California Fair’s Alliance Open Forum, set for 5 p.m. in Crystal 5 at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno. Results of that meeting and next steps will be reported to all members on January 20, after the conclusion of the WFA Convention.
“We greatly appreciate the Governor’s support and the strong efforts of the California Fairs Alliance members in 2014. This is a great step forward,” said WFA President Pat Kress.
Click here to read the budget summary.
Categories: Nevada County Fairgrounds.
Tags: Budget, California Network of Fairs, fairgrounds, Funding for Fairs, Governor Brown, Western Fairs Association, and WFA.

Artwork Contest – “Catch the Fair Bug!”

January 5, 2015 |

Happy Monday! We’re currently accepting artwork for our contest to find the best artwork to illustrate the 2015 Nevada County Fair theme – “Catch the Fair Bug!” – featuring bugs and insects. If you’re a talented artist, and you’d like $250, this is the contest to enter! Details are here.

Categories: Announcements and Nevada County Fair.
Tags: "Catch the Fair Bug", 2015 Nevada County Fair, artists, Artwork contest, Call for Artists, Nevada County Fair, and Nevada County Fairgrounds.