Hall of Fame Inductees: Karen Henderson and Jim Drew, Robin Hauck

Karen Henderson and Jim Drew, along with Robin Hauck, have been named to the Nevada County Fair’s Hall of Fame.

Henderson and Drew have been attending the Nevada County Fair since childhood and were both Nevada Union FFA members who exhibited steers, market hogs, and lambs. They went on to become local agriculture teachers and FFA advisors for a combined total of 56 years. They have been buyers at the Junior Livestock Auction for almost 20 years, and help with the livestock sale each year; and Henderson served on the Nevada County Fair Board of Directors for five years.  Additionally, their six children and two of their grandchildren have exhibited livestock as well. 

“We have deep roots in the Fair and truly love what the Fair means to our community,” said Henderson. “The Fair and the Fairgrounds is a rich piece of history and cornerstone to our community’s agriculture heritage.  When you realize the first high school agriculture classes were held in the Main Exhibit Building, the thousands of young people who learned about agriculture and developed a strong work ethic by exhibiting, the community activities and gatherings, you will understand why Jim and I know the Fair is vital to Nevada County.”

Henderson currently works fulltime for Live Wire Products Inc, her parent’s business in Penn Valley. She also raises project and freezer lambs, gardens, and recently qualified to enter the Boston Marathon for 2018. She is also on the Nevada County Farm Bureau Board. Drew was recently elected President of the Nevada Joint Union School District Board, and also serves on the Nevada County Resource Conservation Board and the Nevada County Livestock Producers Board. He works a large garden and vineyard on their property, and is an avid fisherman.  Both are members of The Range, shooting weekly in the handgun league.

“Karen and Jim are an integral part of our Fair’s agriculture community,” said Rea Callender, Fairgrounds CEO. “They have dedicated countless hours to youth and Nevada County agriculture, and we are grateful for their service.”

Robin Hauck served as the Deputy Manager of the Nevada County Fairgrounds from 2009 until she retired in March.  Prior to working at the Nevada County Fair, she was CEO of the Merced County Fair for four years, worked for the El Dorado County Fair for 17 years and the Grand National Rodeo at the Cow Palace, and served as a fair industry consultant.

Hauck, who grew up in Loomis, showed at and visited Fairs throughout California during her childhood.  “My roots are in agriculture, and so is the Fair,” said Hauck. “The Fair provides a forum for the promotion and education of agriculture, the exchange of information, a celebration of our traditions and to recall our history.  The Fair does all of this with charm, excitement and the competitive spirit – and I’m proud to be part of the industry.”

While at the Fairgrounds, Hauck founded several community service projects, including the Fair’s partnership with local libraries for their summer reading program and Ag-Sperience at the Fair (where Fair-goers can learn about agriculture in Nevada County).  She also founded Community Involvement Day, which recently received the Western Fairs Association’s Merrill Award, the Fair industry’s highest honor.

“These community-based programs at the Fair are here because of Robin’s vision,” said Callender.  “We are fortunate to have had Robin at the Nevada County Fairgrounds for the past 8 years, and I thank Robin for her years of service and dedication to the Fair industry, to the Nevada County Fairgrounds, and to the community,” said Callender.   

Hauck is the current Treasurer of the Greater Grass Valley Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Nevada County Fairgrounds Foundation Board.

Henderson, Drew and Hauck will be inducted into the Hall of Fame at opening day ceremony on August 9, and will receive a portrait donated by Shaffers Originals of Grass Valley.

Photos by Shaffers Originals

Karen Henderson & Jim Drew, Hall of Fame 2017 Robin Hauk

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.

Are You Entering An Exhibit In This Year’s Fair?

Are you going to enter an exhibit in this year’s Fair? If so, what? If not – how about making this the first year! You have until July 21 to turn in the paperwork.  It’s easy to enter, most categories are free, and it’s fun to see your exhibits on display at the Fair.  You’ll also receive two free admission tickets to the Draft Horse Classic.  Details are here.

 

 

Categories: Nevada County Fair.

Youth Entering Exhibits in the Fair

“The first project as a Girl Scout will be entered in the Fair.”  We love seeing Nevada County youth entering exhibits in the Fair. What will you be entering? The deadline to turn in paperwork is July 21. Need help figuring how to enter or what to enter. Give us a call at 273-6217, and we’ll walk you through the process.  Photo and caption by @ballingertribe.

 

Categories: Nevada County Fair.

Nevada County Fair Competition Handbook Now Available

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 21, 2017

Contact: Rea Callender, Chief Executive Officer
 (530) 273-6217;

Nevada County Fair Competition Handbook Now Available
Book includes all the information you need to enter exhibits in this year’s Fair

The Nevada County Fair’s Competition Handbook, which includes all the information you need to enter exhibits in this year’s Fair, is now available. If you can make it, bake it, grow it or show it, there is a category for you – and it can be found in the Competition Handbook!

Why not showcase a child’s artwork project from school, a cooking skill, or a special collection? Try baking cookies, entering a photo, creating a produce character, making the Ugliest Decorated Cake, writing a poem, entering the Pet Look-A-Like photo contest, or making a bookmark. This year, we have some fun new categories like button art, plastic utensil art, decorated cake pops, beach art, and a decorated reusable grocery bag.

There are also special contests like the Seafaring Squash Mobile Races, Daily Special Food Contests, 4-H Still Exhibits, and an exhibit video contest. With hundreds of categories available for children and adults, the Competition Handbook has something for everyone.

Copies of the free handbook are available at the Fairgrounds’ Office, Chamber of Commerce offices, post offices, county libraries, Raley’s, SPD, Ben Franklin, Foothill Mercantile, and other local businesses, as well as online here.  

It’s easy to enter! Look through the book, pick your favorite categories, and follow the simple steps for completing the entry forms. You can even enter online here.   Most categories are free to enter, and you can enter online or at the Fair office. The deadline for submitting entry forms and online entries is July 21 at 4 pm.

The 2017 Nevada County Fair is August 9 – 13, and the Fair them is “Sea You at the Fair!” For more information, visit NevadaCountyFair.com or call (530) 273-6217.

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Produce Character Metal Bear Tissue Paper Sea Horse Ribbons and Awards

Flower Arranging Workshop: June 21

Have kids who are interested in participating in a Flower Arranging Workshop for Juniors (ages 6 – 17)? Chicago Park Garden Club is hosting a class for kids to prepare them to enter an exhibit in the Junior Floriculture Competition during the Fair. The two hour class is free, and is held on June 21. To register, call Ann at 265-8210.

 

Categories: Events and Nevada County Fairgrounds.

Monster Trucks at the Nevada County Fair

Who’s ready for Monster Trucks? There will be Monster Trucks and Tuff Truck Racing at this year’s Nevada County Fair. Photo by #pipnorcali.

 

 

Categories: Events and Nevada County Fair.

Nevada County’s Best Local Event? Nevada County Fair!

Thank you, Nevada County, for voting the Nevada County Fair as the best local event for 15 years in a row, and for voting the Nevada County Fair as the Best Place to Take the Kids. We love our community, and we thank you for the honor!
 
Categories: Events, Nevada County Fair, and Nevada County Fairgrounds.