Whether it’s the stingray exhibit, stock dogs, musical entertainment, a hypnosis show, an animal costume contest, a bubble gum blowing contest, the junior dog show, or sheep judging – it can be found in our daily event schedule, which is now posted here.
Counting the days until opening day. We know our livestock community is busy, busy, busy getting ready for this year’s Fair. We can’t wait to see the barns full of animals and showcase the hard work of our youth in agriculture!
We have two new organizations on South Treat Street this year – NEO Youth Center and Yuba River Charter School – and they have been busy fixing up their booths. The buildings are going to be painted, the inside is brand new, and new signs will be going up soon. These organizations are working so hard to get their booths ready, so be sure to visit them during the Fair! NEO will be selling fresh fruit, smoothies, grilled cheese sandwiches and PB and J; and Yuba River Charter School will be selling smoked turkey legs! The former booths (Boy Scouts Caramel Corn; and Higgins Fire Department’s Nachos) have relocated to booths on Treat Street.
Treat Street fun facts: Did you know that the Nevada City Rotary booth on Treat Street serves delicious pulled BBQ pork and shredded chicken sandwiches? Your Treat Street proceeds from this booth have helped support youth scholarships, Girls Who Code, ACME Robotics team, KVMR’s Breaking the Trance Town Hall Meeting, Children’s Renaissance Festival, Miners Trail, Open World Kazakhstan Entrepreneur Visit and so much more! Nevada City Rotary is especially proud to support Nevada County’s ag students with the John Taylor Memorial Ag Scholarship during the Junior Livestock Auction. Thank you, Nevada City Rotary, for your service and dedication to Nevada County.
The Foothill Lions Club, in conjunction with the Northern California Lions Sight Association, will provide free glaucoma and vision screening services for adults and children at the Nevada County Fair’s Community Involvement Day on Monday, July 31, from 1 – 6 pm at Gate 1 at the Nevada County Fairgrounds.
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, and special tests will be provided to children ages 6 months to 6 years old using our PlusOptix equipment. The Lions Club will be staffing the unit, and local optometrists – Dr. Kirschbaum, OD; Dr. Jerry Chan, OD; and Dr. Tiffany Chan, OD – will volunteer their services for the day. The screening event is free, as the Foothill Lions Club covers all costs.
“Eye exams are so important, “said Tom Sigler, Foothill Lions Club president. “It’s especially important to have a child’s eyes checked at an early age. Often, children go undiagnosed for years, which can cause a child to fall behind in school. With early detection, this can be avoided.”
The Lions Vision Van is provided as part of Community Involvement Day, a day to donate items to nonprofit organizations – the Food Bank of Nevada County, Foothill Lions, Nevada County 2-1-1, NEO Youth Center, Story Club, Community Beyond Violence (formerly Domestic Violence Coalition), Cinderella Project, and The Karing Closet – in exchange for coupons for buy one, get one admission tickets to the Fair. Or, donate blood through BloodSource on that day and receive a free admission ticket to the Fair. The organizations will be at the Fairgrounds Gate 1 main parking lot on Monday, July 31, from 1 – 6 pm, to receive donated items to receive coupons.
Brad and Alana Fowler have been named the 2017 Family of the Year by the Nevada County Fair’s Board of Directors. The Board chose the Fowler Family for their ongoing commitment, participation and volunteer efforts in the livestock program at the Nevada County Fair.
Brad and Alana, who were both born and raised in Nevada County, have been attending the Fair since they were children. Alana started showing animals in 4-H at nine years old and continued through high school in FFA; and Brad showed throughout high school in FFA. Since that time, they’ve continued to help in the show arenas, volunteer on Treat Street, work in educational booths, assist at the Junior Livestock Auction, set up various displays, and clean barns after the Fair. Today, they spend countless hours in the livestock barns, helping their own children, as well as other youth exhibitors, prepare their animals for the Fair.
The Fowlers, who will celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary this year, have five daughters – Macey, 14; Molly, 12; Morgan, 10; Wendy, 7; and Wyatt, 7. All their children have been involved with livestock since birth, and have been showing and exhibiting at the Fair since they were young. The older girls started with pygmy goats and rabbits and moved to beef and dairy. Their oldest three daughters raise steers for the Junior Livestock Auction, and their youngest daughters entered Mutton Bustin’ last year. The girls have each started their own herds of various species, so in addition to bringing steers to the Fair this year, the oldest three girls will also bring some of their own breeding animals, both beef and dairy cattle, to show. The youngest girls help their sisters and have their own animals that will be the foundation for the future livestock they exhibit at the Fair. Additionally, Macey works with several horses during the week, trading for lessons; Molly plays volleyball; and Morgan competes in track.
Not surprisingly, when asked about their favorite memories at the Fair, both share fond memories of their time with the livestock community. “My favorite part of the Fair is watching the Junior Livestock Exhibitors show their animals,” says Brad. “Fair is also important to me because I get to see people in the community.” Alana echoes his comments. “Fair is like a family vacation with friends and family,” she says. “I love to see the livestock exhibitors sharing their knowledge of these animals with families that visit.”
When not busy at the Fair, Alana reports that “life outside of Fair is much like Fair.” They are self-employed, and for the past 10 years they have sold pasture-raised hogs, turkeys and chickens, as well as grass fed beef, lamb and goat directly to consumers in Nevada County. They also use goats and sheep for fire prevention grazing throughout Nevada, Placer and Yuba counties. Outside of work, the Fowlers are involved with the Nevada County Farm Bureau, the Nevada County Food and Farm Conference, Nevada County 4-H, Nevada County Food Policy Council, and Nevada County Livestock Producers.
“The Fowler’s involvement in the livestock community, and their countless hours of volunteering at the Nevada County Fair, embody the community spirit that makes up the Nevada County Fair,” said Rea Callender, CEO of the Fairgrounds. “We are thrilled to be able to recognize them as the 2017 Fair Family of the Year.”
The Fowler Family will be honored at the Fair’s opening ceremony. They will receive a Fair package, as well as a family portrait by Shaffers Originals of Grass Valley.
Photo by Shaffers Originals of Grass Valley
It’s movie night! Join us tonight (July 22) for Movies Under the Pines (presented by the Nevada City Film Festival) at the Nevada County Fairgrounds. Enjoy watching Wall-E while sitting beneath the stars at the Fairgrounds. Beer, wine, popcorn, soft drinks, as well as Lazy Dog Ice Cream and an Honest Pie, will be available for purchase. Blankets and low back chairs are suggested. Gates open at 7 pm; film begin at sunset. Tickets can be purchased at the gate.
Friday night of the Fair features Monster Trucks and Modified Tuff Truck Racing, and Saturday night features Monster Trucks and Stock Tuff Truck Racing. It’s a brand-new show this year, with four of the best All Star Monster Trucks doing battle in a best trick competition, full throttle racing, and a freestyle throw down. Ticket price includes a Meet and Greet. Get your tickets before they sell out!
