Are you interested in being a vendor at the 2020 Country Christmas Faire? Last year’s event had almost 10,000 visitors! If you’re interested in being part of this unique event, the application is available here.

Photo by Lenkaland Photography.

The 35^th Annual Country Christmas Faire at the Nevada County Fairgrounds welcomed more than 110 vendors, featured a gingerbread house and a new holiday ornament contest, and partnered with the Interfaith Food Ministry to offer a community canned food drive.

The annual gingerbread house competition featured more than 40 entries. Of those entries, the Best of Show was awarded to Heather Mickelson of Rocklin and the People’s Choice went to the group entry created by Joanne Perilman & Avery Lawson of Grass Valley. Both winners received a gift basket donated by Tess’ Kitchen Store.

The new holiday ornament contest received more than 50 entries. The Best of Show winner was Mary Wood of Rough and Ready, and the People’s Choice was awarded to Cheyanne Marchinek of Penn Valley. Both winners received a gift certificate to Ben Franklin.

At Sunday’s canned food drive, Interfaith Food Ministry collected more than 300 pounds of food for families in need in Nevada County. The Clear Creek School Errand Elves raised funds for science camp tuition, and the Northern Mines Service Unit Girl Scouts provided babysitting to raise funds for community service projects.

The names of all the gingerbread house and holiday ornament contest winners can be found here. The 2020 Country Christmas Faire is Thanksgiving weekend, November 27, 28 and 29.

Best of Show Gingerbread House – Heather Mickelson

Best of Show Ornament – Mary Wood

People’s Choice Ornament – Cheyanne Marchinek

People’s Choice Gingerbread – Joanne Perilman & Avery Lawson

Thank you to all who attended the Country Christmas, and a huge thank you to all the talented crafters and artisans for all their work. We’re already planning next year’s event. Happy holidays!

The 35^th annual Country Christmas Faire is happening at the beautiful Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley on November 29, 30 and December 1.

Four large exhibit buildings will be filled with unique handcrafted gifts, crafts and holiday décor, giving Fairgoers a chance to begin their holiday shopping and purchase quality handmade items, including ceramics, jewelry, wooden crafts, soaps and lotions, ornaments, stained glass, candles, beadwork, fiber arts, and thousands of other unique gifts created by talented artisans.

Visitors to the Faire will enjoy musical entertainment, a gingerbread house and holiday ornament display, a community bonfire, and wagon rides around the Fairgrounds. There will also be delicious food and beverages available.

Santa will be available in the Cowbell Barn from 11 am – 4 pm on Friday and Saturday and from 11 am – 3 pm on Sunday. Bring your camera to capture that special photo. Babysitting is offered by Girl Scouts of the Northern Mines Service Unit, so parents can drop off their children while they enjoy holiday shopping. Errand Elves from Clear Creek School will be at Main Street Center and available to assist with packages throughout the event.

On Sunday of the Fair, the Nevada County Fairgrounds will partner with Interfaith Food Ministry for a canned food drive. Bring a can of food on Sunday, December 1 from 10 am to 3 pm, and receive $1 off Sunday’s admission price (one coupon per person). All food collected will be distributed to feed those in need in Nevada County.

The Country Christmas Faire begins Friday, November 29 and runs through Sunday, December 1. Admission is $5 for adults, and children 12 and under are free. Parking is free. The hours are 10 am – 5 pm on Friday and Saturday, and 10 am – 4 pm on Sunday.

The Nevada County Fairgrounds is located at 11228 McCourtney Road in Grass Valley. For more information, visit here or call (530) 273-6217.

Last weekend’s 34^th 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 16^th 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

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!