The Nevada County Fairgrounds Administration Office will be closed for the holidays from December 17 to January 2. The inner grounds will also be closed to the public during this time. The RV Park Office will remain open daily. If you’d like to contact the RV Park, call (530) 273-6217, extension 221 or email .
Beautiful Sunset at Lions Lake
A beautiful sunset at Lions Lake at the Nevada County Fairgrounds. Thank you, 11:eleven, for capturing it so beautifully!
Nevada County Fairgrounds Board Names New CEO
The Nevada County Fairgrounds Board of Directors announced that Patrick Eidman has been named the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nevada County Fairgrounds, effective immediately.
Eidman has served as the Deputy Manager of the Nevada County Fairgrounds since March 2017 and as the acting CEO since July 2018. He brings more than 20 years of management, grant writing, fundraising, event planning, and financial reporting experience to the job, as well as an extensive agricultural background.
A native of Grass Valley who graduated from Nevada Union High School, Eidman has deep roots in Nevada County and a long history with fairs. He has fond memories of his grandparents bringing him to the Nevada County Fair during his childhood, showing sheep at fairs across the Western United States with his parents and sisters, and exhibiting steers and sheep as an FFA member at the Nevada County Fair. He was also Livestock Secretary from 2011 – 2016 at the Nevada County Fair.
“To be leading the Nevada County Fairgrounds, a place I love and in a community I call home, is an honor and privilege,” said Eidman. “I look forward to working with our exceptional team and our many community partners to continue the long tradition of the Fairgrounds serving the people of Nevada County in times of need and in times of celebration.”
Eidman has experience in the private, nonprofit, and public sectors. Before joining the Fairgrounds team in 2017, he worked for the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, where he served as the Special Projects and Field Operations Grant Program Coordinator and managed the Conservancy’s local assistance grant program. Prior to that, he worked for the State of Colorado as the Director of Historic Preservation Technical Outreach.
He is the Second Vice President of the Nevada County Farm Bureau, a member of the Nevada County Fairgrounds Foundation, and the Mother Lode Area chair for Western Fairs Association. He recently completed the Nevada County Citizens Academy program and is a graduate of Sonoma State University, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Studies with a focus on City and Regional Planning.
“On behalf of the entire Board, we are pleased that Patrick has accepted the role of CEO,” said Steve Steele, President of the Nevada County Fairgrounds Board of Directors. “He brings years of experience to the job and he has certainly proven himself as a leader the past five months while serving as the interim CEO and guiding the Fairgrounds team through three major events. He is the ideal candidate – one who honors and respects the traditions of the Nevada County Fairgrounds and one who is prepared to lead us into the future with new ideas – and we are fortunate to have him leading the way.”
As CEO, Eidman will be responsible for overseeing the annual Nevada County Fair, the Draft Horse Classic, the Country Christmas Faire, interim events and facility rentals, the RV Park, and the infrastructure of the Nevada County Fairgrounds.
Patrick Eidman
Nevada County Food and Toy Run: December 8
The Nevada County Food And Toy Run is this Saturday, December 8. Arrive at the Eric Rood Center by noon and proceed to the Nevada County Fairgrounds. Information can be found here. See you out here!
“Farms, Food & Fun!” at the Nevada County Fair
“Farms, Food & Fun!” is the theme for the 2019 Nevada County Fair. Congratulations to Mary Anne Davis of Grass Valley for submitting the winning entry. We received more than 120 entries in our slogan contest, so a big thank you to all who entered! Here’s to a fun 2019 Fair!
Fun at the Fairgrounds
Some of our Tall Pines Nursery School friends on a worm hunt at the Fairgrounds! They told us they found a few! 🙂
Country Christmas Faire Results and Gingerbread House Results
Last weekend’s 34th Annual Country Christmas Faire at the Nevada County Fairgrounds welcomed more than 8,000 visitors and 115 vendors, featured 45 gingerbread houses and 75 coloring entries, and hosted a canned food drive.
The 16th Annual Gingerbread House Competition featured 45 entries. Of those entries, Best of Show ribbons and gift baskets donated by Tess’ Kitchen Store were awarded to Leeam Eaton, Owen Strolle, Johanna Pease, and Avery Lawson/Joanne Perilman. The People’s Choice/Best of Show Winner was Kathy Kinney, who received a gift basket from Tess’ and a cash prize.
First place winners in the Gingerbread House Competition include Charlie McCollum, Breck Lumbard, Emelina Lumbard, Christian Augustine, Lilah Black, Evie Black, Hazel Duran, Annabelle Husak, and Deacon McCollum (age 5 & under); Leeam Eaton (age 6-8); Finn Beckin (age 9 – 12); Jessa Jaskier (Kits); Owen Strolle (age 13-17); Kathy Kinney (age 18 -64); Johanna Pease (Special Needs); S.S.J. Stalcup and Ramey Cousins (group – children); Avery Lawson/Joanne Perilman, and Margo Murphy (family); and Christie Harris (group – adult).
At Sunday’s canned food drive, Interfaith Food Ministry collected more than 578 pounds of food for families in need. In addition, the Clear Creek School Errand Elves raised funds for science camp; and Big Horse Works, who provided carriage rides at the Faire, donated more than $300 to those impacted by the Camp Fire.
The names of all the Gingerbread House Competition winners can be found here. The 2019 Country Christmas Faire is planned for Thanksgiving weekend, November 29, 30 and December 1.
Photo by Lenkaland Photography
Canned Food Drive Results! Thank You for Your Generosity!
Thanks to Interfaith Food Ministry and to all who donated food at Sunday’s canned food drive at the Country Christmas Faire, more than 578 pounds of food were collected, which is enough to help approximately 30 families! Thank you for your generosity!
Happy Trees at the Nevada County Fairgrounds
Mist, rain and happy trees at the Nevada County Fairgrounds. Photo by Lenkaland Photography.
Thank You For Visiting the Country Christmas Faire!
Thank you for a fantastic three days (rain and shine) at the Country Christmas Faire! So many smiling faces out here! Our talented vendors are busy packing up and we’re already talking about next year’s event on November 29, 30 and December 1, 2019! Happy holidays and we hope you enjoyed your visit!
