Thank you, Nevada County, for voting the Nevada County Fair as the best local event for 14 years in a row! We also got runner up for Best Place to Take the Kids (Fair) and Best Event Venue (Fairgrounds). We are truly honored and we appreciate the support we constantly receive from our awesome community. Thank you!
Draft Horse Classic: September 22 – 25
Can hardly wait for this year’s Draft Horse Classic, September 22 – 25 at the Nevada County Fairgrounds. These Gentle Giants are a site to behold. Photo by David Wong.
Walking the Fairgrounds
Happy Easter
Sun Peeking Through the Trees
Trout Derby for Kids: April 16
This year’s Trout Derby is Saturday, April 16 from 7 am to noon at Lions Lake at the Nevada County Fairgrounds. This is for kids 3 – 12. Two thousand Rainbow Trout will be stocked in the pond by the CA Fish and Game and the Sportsmen’s Club. Thank you to the Grass Valley Sportsmen for putting on this fun, free kids event! For details, visit here.
Crazy Animal Races at the Fair
Call for Artists: Art at the Classic
Are you interested in showcasing your artwork at Art at the Classic, a top-ranked equine and western art show? Held during the Draft Horse Classic at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley, this world-class art show features more than 120 works by painters, sculptors, photographers, and other fine artists. The show has become one of the premier displays of its kind – attracting both art lovers and horse lovers.
This juried show is open to all artists over 18 years of age whose work reflects a western way of life and includes any equine subject, western landscape or wildlife. Entries must be artist’s original design, produced in the last three years, and not previously shown in Art at the Classic. Classes include oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastel, pen and ink, graphic and charcoal, colored pencil, photography, sculpture, miniatures, and anything goes. Artwork must be for sale.
If you are interested in participating in this show, applications are now available here. The deadline to apply is June 1, 2016. If you have questions, you can contact Judy Vargas, Director of Art at the Classic, at .
Art at the Classic is part of the four-day Draft Horse Classic, September 22 – 25, at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley.
Artwork by Cheryl Caldwell
Dates and Forms for Market Animals
Nevada County Fair Requires Mandatory Registration of Market Animals for 2016 Fair
The Nevada County Fair’s mandatory registration deadline for all market beef is 4:00 pm, Friday, April 8th. The mandatory registration deadline of all other large market animals including Turkeys is 4:00 pm, Friday, June 10th.
Junior beef exhibitors may register their market animals at the Fairground’s Administration Office, Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4 pm, beginning March 21st. The absolute deadline for market beef registration is 4:00 pm, Friday, April 8th. Goat, lamb, hog and turkey exhibitors may register their market animals beginning May 23rd. The absolute deadline for market goat, sheep, swine and turkey registration is 4:00 pm, Friday, June 10th.
All FFA, 4-H, Grange and Independent exhibitors are required to register their market animals for the Fair on the dates specified above by completing an entry form and paying the entry fees. Entry forms and detailed instructions are available at the 4-H Office, through FFA Advisors, the Fair Administration Office and here:
Market Beef
Registration opens: March 21
Deadline: April 8 at 4 pm
FFA Registration Instructions and Entry Form
4-H/Grange Registration Instructions and Entry Form
Code of Ethics
Market Goat, Lambs, Swine and Turkeys
Registration opens: May 23
Deadline: June 10 at 4 pm
Registration instructions will be available early May.
Ag Mechanics, Ag Mechanics Auction, Market Eggs, Broiler and Rabbit Meat Pens
Registration opens: June 1
Deadline: July 11, 4:00 pm
Rules and details available in the Competition Handbook, available online and at the Fair Office, beginning June 1.
All Other Livestock
Entry forms due by: Friday, July 22 at 4 pm
No extensions will be made.
Rules and details available in the Competition Handbook, available online and at the Fair Office, beginning June 1.
To exhibit a large market animal at the 2016 Nevada County Fair, exhibitors must be 9 years old or in the 4th grade by January 1, 2016 and must be a Nevada County Junior. A Nevada County Junior exhibitor is defined as:
• An exhibitor whose legal residence is within the boundaries of the Nevada County Fair and who attends a school within Nevada County, or
• An exhibitor who lives outside Nevada County, attends a school in Nevada County and is a member of the FFA, Nevada County 4-H or Nevada County Grange, or
• An exhibitor who is a Nevada County resident enrolled and attending college and is a member of the FFA, Nevada County 4-H or Nevada County Grange.
Although an exhibitor may enter only one large market animal in the Fair, each exhibitor will be allowed to register a maximum of 2 animals per species, not to exceed 4 animals in total. The Fair appreciates that exhibitors often choose to raise more than one market animal, giving them the option of bringing their finest quality animal to the Fair to sell through the Junior Livestock Auction, which is scheduled during the Fair on Sunday, August 14th. A family may choose to register a second animal of the same species to be shared by their children in the event that one of their children needs to bring a back-up animal.
The 2016 “Kick It Up” Nevada County Fair is scheduled for August 10th through 14th. For information on market animal registration or becoming involved in the Junior Livestock Auction as a buyer or volunteer, call the Fair at 273-6217.
Home and Garden Show (April 23 and 24)
The Union’s Spring Home, Garden and Lifestyle is happening at the Nevada County Fairgrounds on April 23 and 24!
Come out and see the newest in products and services for your home and landscape at the Spring Home, Garden and Lifestyle Show! Check out the Demonstration Stage schedule and find some things that appeal to the do-it-yourselfer in you; enter to win great prizes; eat tasty food at the food court; or sit and sip a refreshing beverage. Bring the whole family to enjoy live music and kids activities.
Free admission and only $5 per car for parking.
Visit www.theunion.com/homeshow.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAMpLx9X5GY