New CEO Appointed

January 5, 2023 |

January 4, 2023

Board of Directors Selects New Chief Executive Officer

Nevada County, CA: The Nevada County Fairgrounds Board of Directors is excited to announce the appointment of our new Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Trygg. Mr. Trygg will assume his role on Sunday, January 15, 2023.

Trygg, well known to the community for his Public Information Officer role at the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office, brings decades of fair knowledge to this position. Nearly 25 years ago Trygg began working at the fairgrounds over summer break as a fair-time trash crew member. Throughout the following years, Trygg worked in several different positions as a seasonal employee.

From 1995-1998, Trygg was a member of the Junior Fair Board and in 2012 he was appointed to the Nevada County Fair Board by Governor Jerry Brown. Trygg most recently served two years as the Board President. During his time as President, Trygg served as the Interim CEO in 2021 after the resignation of Patrick Eidman.

“In part to Andrew’s leadership during his time as Board President, we successfully navigated the COVID pandemic and a CEO vacancy,” said Board President Jim Franks. “Over the years, Andrew has been willing to jump in and get things done. He has already built solid connections with the talented Fair staff and partners and will be able to hit the ground running on day one. It was a very competitive hiring process and we appreciate everyone that applied.”

“I grew up here, attending the fair every summer and typically all five days. Once I was old enough for a summer job, the fairgrounds was the first place I looked,” said Trygg. “I am honored to be selected by the Board as the next CEO and look forward to reconnecting the fairgrounds with the community.”

As CEO, Trygg 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.

This year the fair runs from August 9-13, 2023.

Trygg CEO Press Release

Media Contact:
Jim Franks, Board President

Categories: Announcements, Latest News, and Nevada County Fairgrounds.

Be an Awards Sponsor for the Still Exhibit and Livestock Program at the Nevada County Fair

April 27, 2021 |
In anticipation of the 2021 Nevada County Fair, we are rolling out a brand new way to sign up as an awards sponsor for the still exhibits and livestock programs. These digital forms will allow you to see every award that is available to be sponsored, including descriptions of the awards and prices. We’ve added some new awards this year and removed others, but rest assured that there are plenty of opportunities to sponsor. You can sponsor awards under your own name, a company or organization, or in honor or recognition of a friend or loved one.
 
There are two forms- one for livestock, horse, and small animals and the other for still exhibits and Ag Mechanics.
 
 
The generosity of our community makes it possible to have such an outstanding awards program. Without you, it simply wouldn’t be possible. If you have any questions or need assistance making your selections, please call the Fairgrounds at (530) 273-6217.
Categories: Events and Nevada County Fair.

May 1 Volunteer Work Day – ALL SHIFTS HAVE BEEN FILLED

April 10, 2021 |

May 1 Volunteer Work Day

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR KINDNESS AND VOLUNTEER EFFORTS. ALL SHIFTS HAVE BEEN FILLED AND WE ARE NO LONGER ACCEPTING VOLUNTEER APPLICATIONS. 

After more than a year without events, California’s Most Beautiful Fairgrounds needs some spring cleaning. An enthusiastic group of Nevada County Fairgrounds’ lovers is planning a May 1 work day. Individuals, families, service organizations, high school students and everyone willing to roll up their sleeves are invited to trim flowers and bushes, clean garden begs, spread compost, prep lawns for mowing, pressure wash and paint, whack weeds, rake pine needles, and pick up pine cones, sticks and trash.

Categories: Nevada County Fair and Nevada County Fairgrounds.

Thank You, Grass Valley Sportsmen’s Club

March 12, 2021 |
Thank you to the Grass Valley Sportsmen’s Club, represented by Jody Stover and George Chileski, for stopping by the Fairgrounds yesterday to drop off a donation of $1,000 to the Fairgrounds after a unanimous decision from their Board to make the donation. Jody and George said the club recognizes that 2020 was a difficult year for the Fairgrounds and wants to help support our work. They are hopeful (as are we!) for a 2021 Fair. We are so thankful for the support! If you know members of the GV Sportsmen’s Club, please be sure to thank them for the generous donation.
 
Photo: GV Sportsmen George Chileski and Jody Stover present a $1,000 check to Fairgrounds CEO Patrick Eidman.
 
Categories: Nevada County Fairgrounds.

Fairgrounds Fundraiser: Drive Thru Italian Pasta Dinner

March 12, 2021 |

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT

Contact:         Sandy Woods, President, Nevada County Fairgrounds Foundation
(530) 477-2097;

NEVADA COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS FUNDRAISER: DRIVE THRU ITALIAN PASTA DINNER

 The Nevada County Fairgrounds Foundation, in partnership with the Foothill Lions Club, is hosting a Drive Thru Italian Pasta Dinner as a fundraiser for the Nevada County Fairgrounds.

Tickets are on sale now at NevadaCountyFair.com for a delicious Italian pasta dinner that feeds four people. Each family dinners includes spaghetti and sauce, four Italian sausages, four meatballs, green salad with Italian dressing, garlic bread and four cannoli for only $45.

All orders must be placed by April 9. Pick up is on Saturday, April 17 between 4-6 pm at the Nevada County Fairgrounds, Gate 2, Ponderosa Hall. This event is pre-sales only and there are no onsite sales, so order today.

Tickets are available online at NevadaCountyFair.com. All proceeds benefit the community’s Nevada County Fairgrounds, which has been severely financially impacted by the restrictions on mass gatherings caused by COVID-19.

For more information, visit NevadaCountyFair.com or call (530) 273-6217.

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Categories: Events, Nevada County Fairgrounds, and Nevada County Fairgrounds Foundation.

Higgins Diggins Lions Club Donates $1,000 and Challenges Other Service Clubs

February 28, 2021 |

Recently the Higgins Diggins Lions Club donated $1,000 to the Nevada County Fairgrounds Foundation.  In presenting the check, Higgins Diggins Lions Club President Laura Barhydt expressed the club’s passion and concern for the ongoing viability of the Nevada County Fairgrounds given the pandemic’s huge negative impact on the community’s Fairgrounds. President Barhydt, along with members of the club, is challenging other Nevada County non-profit service clubs to step up to matching Higgins Diggins’ donation to help the Nevada County Fairgrounds.

Higgins Diggins Lions Club has a long record of service in the community going back more than forty years.  The Club’s major sources of revenue are the rental of the Higgins Lions Community Center, the annual Crab & Shrimp Feed, See’s candy sales during Christmas and Valentine’s day and, most recently, producing Drive Thru dinners.  The club has a strong membership that give freely of their time and resources to provide for the betterment of the community. 

The Nevada County Fairgrounds Foundation is focused upon building a better Nevada County Fairgrounds through fundraising and contributions to the Fairgrounds.  Currently the major focus of the Foundation is to simply keep the Fairgrounds financially viable so that it will once again thrive as a great community asset.  The directors of the Foundation expressed their sincere appreciation for Higgins Diggins generous donation and expressed hopes that other service clubs will take up President Barhydt and the Higgins Diggins Lions Club’s challenge.

Categories: Nevada County Fairgrounds and Nevada County Fairgrounds Foundation.

Drive Thru Italian Pasta Dinner (Fairgrounds Fundraiser)

February 26, 2021 |

So excited to announce the next Drive Thru fundraising event for the Nevada County Fairgrounds. Get your tickets here for a delicious Italian Pasta Dinner. Each meal feeds four people and includes spaghetti pasta and sauce, 4 Italian sausages, 4 meatballs, salad with Italian dressing, garlic bread and 4 cannoli for only $45. Yum!! All orders must be placed by April 9. Pick up is on Saturday, April 17 between 4 – 6 pm. This event is pre-sales only and there are no onsite sales. Our last event sold out early, so order today!

Hosted by the Fairgrounds Foundation and the Foothill Lions Club with all proceeds benefit the Nevada County Fairgrounds.

Categories: Events, Nevada County Fairgrounds, and Nevada County Fairgrounds Foundation.

2021 Fair Slogan: The Fair is Back in Town!

February 16, 2021 |

In hopeful anticipation of the 2021 Fair – and using the inspiration of optimism, resiliency, and coming together as a community – we’re happy to announce that the slogan for the 2021 Nevada County Fair is “The Fair is Back in Town!” Congratulations to Lisa Vaughan of Grass Valley for submitting the winning entry in the slogan contest that we ran at the end of 2020. We received almost 150 entries in the contest, so a big thank you to all who entered.

Categories: Nevada County Fair and Nevada County Fairgrounds.

Photo Essay Book Features Draft Horse Classic

February 1, 2021 |

Good news, draft horse fans! Photographer Sandy Powell recently released a photo essay book – Cowboy Culture: Capturing the Spirit of the Old West in the Sierra Nevada – that includes 23 chapters of photos and stories of Wagon Trains, Mule-packing, Overland Mail Stagecoaches, Pony Express Re-Ride, Big Hitches, the 20 Mule Team, Bishop Mule Days, and much more. There’s even a chapter dedicated to the Draft Horse Classic! Copies of the book are available locally at The Book Seller or directly from Sandy at Sandy Powell Western Photography. Congratulations, Sandy, and thanks for including the Classic in this fun-filled book!

Categories: Draft Horse Classic, Events, and Nevada County Fairgrounds.