Arena Events at the Nevada County Fair

This year’s Nevada County Fair features a full line up of excitement and loud, crazy fun in the arena each night. Wednesday and Thursday night features the Flying U Extreme Rodeo, Friday and Saturday night features Monster Trucks and Tuff Truck racing, and Sunday night is the return of the Destruction Derby.

The Flying U Extreme Rodeo, produced by Cotton Rosser and Flying U Rodeo, returns to the arena on Wednesday and Thursday night with cowboys, bull riding, local barrel racing, and the Flying Cowboys performing freestyle FMX motocross jumps!  Each night starts with a sky diver flying into the rodeo. Mutton Bustin, where young cowboys and cowgirls get the chance to hop on a trusty sheep and head for the thrill of their young lives, is scheduled during the event on both nights. If you have children interested in participating in Mutton Bustin, please visit the Fair Office for registration forms and to pay the entry fee. Also returning this year will be a Coin Dig, which features 100 gold coins buried in the arena, and children 10 years and younger in the audience will be invited down to the arena to dig for the coins.  The cost to attend the Flying U Extreme Rodeo is $10 for adults and $8 for kids under 12.

On Friday night it’s 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. This year’s monster truck lineup includes the father-son team of Rick Swanson in Obsession and his son, Eric Swanson, in his new Retro-Body 1968 Ford, Obsessed. They compete against twin brother drivers, Aaron and Darron Basl from Houston, Texas. Darron drives the legendary King Krunch; and Aaron drives Nitro Hornet, a beautiful 1987 Square Body Chevy. This year’s competition is going to be fierce! Ticket price includes a Meet and Greet, from 5:30 to 6:30 pm, where you can go on the floor of the arena and meet the Monster Truck drivers.  Additionally, Monster Truck drivers will be available for autographs after the show at the merchandise tent. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for kids under 12.

On Sunday, it’s the Demolition Derby, hosted by KNCO.  This crowd favorite event features drivers putting their cars to the ultimate test by crashing, smashing, and ramming other vehicles while trying to keep their own vehicle running! This is destruction at its best. Tickets are $15 for adults and $8 for kids 12 and under.

All arena events start at 7 pm, so there’s plenty of time before and after the events to enjoy time at the Fair. Tickets to all arena events are available here or at the arena box office at the Fair.  This year’s Nevada County Fair is August 9 – 13.

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

New Booths on Treat Street: NEO and Yuba River Charter School

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. 

Categories: Events and Nevada County Fair.

Flying U Extreme Rodeo: Wednesday and Thursday Night at the Fair

Who’s going to this year’s rodeo at the Fair?  This year’s Flying U Extreme Rodeo features cowboys, bull riding, Mutton Bustin’, and the Flying Cowboys performing freestyle FMX motocross jumps! Each night starts with a sky diver flying into the rodeo, and we’ve also got a coin dig for kids and local barrel racing on both nights. Get your tickets for Wednesday or Thursday night of the Fair!
 
Categories: Events and Nevada County Fair.

Treat Street Fun Facts: Nevada City Rotary

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.

Categories: Nevada County Fair and Nevada County Fairgrounds.

The Fowler Family Recognized as the 2017 Fair Family of the Year

 

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

Categories: Nevada County Fair.

Treat Street Fun Facts: Grass Valley Fire Department

Treat Street fun facts! Did you know that during the Fair the Grass Valley Fire Department’s Firefighters Association booth serves hot dogs, polish dogs, Cajun dogs, chili dogs and chili bowls? Last year’s addition of a Frito chili bowl was a big hit! Proceeds from Fair sales support the association’s efforts in restoring a 1920’s-era Seagrave fire engine, and allows them to provide a “broken wheel” (a long-standing tradition) to families of firefighters who have passed away. Thank you, Grass Valley Fire, for all your hard work!

 

Categories: Nevada County Fair.

Enter an Exhibit! Paperwork is Due by Friday (or Sunday, if You Enter Online)

Don’t forget! Friday is the deadline to turn in your paperwork to enter an exhibit in the Fair. Or, if you enter online, you have until Sunday evening! From flowers to photographs to vegetables to baked goods – there’s a category for you. It’s easy to fill out the paperwork and you could win a ribbon (not to mention bragging rights) for your efforts. Visit here for details!






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

Entering an Exhibit in the Fair? Don’t Miss the Paperwork Deadline This Week!

Entering an exhibit in the Nevada County Fair? Don’t forget to return entry forms to the Fairgrounds’ office by July 21 or enter online by July 23. We can’t wait to see what our talented community creates this year! 🙂 

Categories: Events and Nevada County Fair.

Enter a Special Food Contest at the Fair

How about entering one of our Ultimate Food Contests in this year’s Fair? Cupcakes, a favorite dish, salsa, chocolate or bacon are all part of this year’s daily contests. Entry forms are due by July 21. All Ultimate Food Contest entries receive free admission to the Fair (and two admission tickets to the Draft Horse Classic). Visit NevadaCountyFair.com for details.

Categories: Events and Nevada County Fair.