Eddie and Nancy Garcia, as well as daughter Barbara and son-in-law Larry McDonald, have been named the 2015 Family of the Year by the Nevada County Fair’s Board of Directors. The Board chose the Garcia-McDonald Family for their volunteer efforts, their vision for the Foundation Station, and their ongoing support of the Nevada County Fairgrounds.

The Garcia-McDonald family moved to Nevada County in 2008, and, in 2009, Eddie was asked by his high school friend, George Woods, to be part of the ring crew for the Draft Horse Classic. Eddie continued to volunteer at the Draft Horse Classic each year and two years ago Larry joined him on the crew. Additionally, Barbara and Larry’s horse boarding business, La Vida Buena Ranch, have been sponsors of the Draft Horse Classic; and, in 2013, Barbara began volunteering at the Halter Classes during the Classic.

The Garcia-McDonald family are also active in the Fairgrounds Foundation. Eddie joined the Nevada County Fairgrounds Foundation in 2011 as a director, followed by Barbara in 2013, and Larry in 2014. She now serves as Treasurer, and she and Larry operate the Foundation Station that opened in 2014.

“The Fair has such a sense of tradition and is the focal point of summer fun and community,” says Barbara. “The Nevada County Fairgrounds are so unique and beautiful and the Fair is such an integral part of our community. Having been to other fairs, we see how special the Nevada County Fair is and we want to make sure that the Fair continues to provide that feeling for generations to come.”

Nancy and Eddie Garcia met in high school, and have been married 54 years this year. They lived briefly in Barcelona where Barbara was born and then moved back to California where they started a furniture business. Barbara joined the family business after she graduated from Santa Clara University. Larry grew up in San Leandro and followed his father into the trucking business. Barbara and Larry married in 2004; and they have a daughter, Shayna, who attends Sierra College and works at Echo Valley Ranch in Auburn. Today, Barbara is the Chief Workshop Manager at Build A Bear Workshop at the Galleria at Roseville, while Larry owns a trucking company.

“The Garcias and the McDonalds are great supporters of the Fair,” said Sandy Woods, former CEO of the Nevada County Fairgrounds. “Their passion for the Fair developed as soon as they moved to Nevada County, and it was through their vision that the new beer booth, Foundation Station, was designed and built in 2014. Because of their eye for operational detail and their public relation skills, the success of the Foundation Station continues. It is an honor to recognize both families for their generosity and volunteer efforts.”

The Garcia-McDonald Family will be honored at the Fair’s opening ceremonies. They will receive a Fair package, as well as a family portrait by Shaffers Originals of Grass Valley.

Photo by Shaffers Originals.