Who remembers playing at the Bingo Booth near Gate 3 at the Nevada County Fair? Photo: 1961.
As we wind down 2017, we’ll be sharing some of our favorite photos from 2017. Here’s a favorite from this year’s Draft Horse Classic. Photo by @grassvalleygirl.
Majestic draft horse performances, breathtaking competitions, and seeing a Draft Horse “up close” are all part of the festivities at the 31st Annual Draft Horse Classic and Harvest Fair, September 21 – 24, at the beautiful Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley. Featuring six different performances by the Draft Horses, this event has become the premier Draft Horse show in the western United States. The Classic spotlights a variety of horses, teams, and performances; featuring everything from farm wagons, carriages, and driving competitions to dancing horses and racing mules. The stars of the show are the horses, and with more than 120 horses stabled on the grounds, the Classic offers a unique chance to observe them in a multitude of settings.
In between the performance classes, enjoy showcase specialty acts the CalCrush Clydesdales, California Cowgirls, chariot and chuck wagon races, an acrobatic equestrian production that incorporates aerialists and Roman riding, the Bobby Kerr Mustang Act, and the CHP Mounted Patrol Unit.
Also taking place at the Fairgrounds during the four days of the Classic is the Harvest Fair. Although there is a charge for the Draft Horse performances in the arena, admission to the Harvest Fair is free so all can enjoy the many activities of the Harvest Fair on the Fairgrounds. Visit the grounds to enjoy musical entertainment, a Western Trade Show with vendors selling wares, the Harvest Fair agricultural competitions and community exhibits, a horseshoeing demonstration, and Art at the Classic. Plus, you don’t want to miss the opportunity to visit the barns and meet the draft horses.
During the Harvest Fair, you can also enjoy the Western Music Fest with ongoing musical entertainment beginning at 11 am on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. On Friday evening from 4:30 – 6 pm, don’t miss James Garner’s Tribute to Johnny Cash; and on Saturday from 4 – 6 pm, Left of Centre and the Country Artists Tribute to Jason Aldean takes the stage. All music at the Western Music Fest is free, so stop by the Fairgrounds, grab a bite to eat, and enjoy the music at the Pine Tree Stage. You can even catch a draft horse performance after each concert.
Tickets to the Draft Horse performances are on sale now. You can choose from six different performances or purchase a season ticket for all six. Performances are Thursday, September 21, and Friday, September 22, at 6:30 pm; Saturday, September 23, at 10 am and 6:30 pm; and Sunday, September 24, at 10 am and 4 pm. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Fairgrounds Office at (530) 273-6217, by visiting the Fairgrounds Office on McCourtney Road, or ordered online. There is a small transaction fee if you order your tickets online. All tickets purchased after 5 pm on Wednesday, September 20, are an additional $4 per ticket.
This year’s Draft Horse Classic is September 21 – 24 at the tree-covered Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley, 50 miles northeast of Sacramento.
Join the beautiful draft horses for the 30th annual Draft Horse Classic and Harvest Fair, September 22 – 25, 2016 at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley. Featuring six performances by the beautiful draft horses, this event has grown to become the premiere draft horse show in the western United States.
The Classic spotlights a variety of horses, teams, rigs and performances; featuring everything from farm wagons, carriages, and driving competitions to dancing horses and racing mules. The stars of the show are the horses, and with more than 120 horses stabled on the grounds, the Classic offers a unique chance to observe them in a multitude of settings.
In between classes, enjoy showcase specialty acts like Gladius the Show, an acrobatic equestrian production that incorporates aerialists, fire, and Roman riding. There’s also the California Cowgirls, chariot and chuck wagon races, and the Bobby Kerr Mustang Act.
Also taking place at the Fairgrounds during the four days of the Classic is the Harvest Fair. There’s western music, community exhibits, a clogging demonstration, and a horse shoeing competition. Visit Art at the Classic in the Main Street Center, where you’ll find artists’ booths filled with paintings, sculpture, photographs and jewelry. Or, shop along the walking paths for your favorite crafts, horse products, pottery, apparel and more. When you’re hungry and need a rest, pick your favorite treat, then wander over to the Pine Tree Stage and enjoy the musical entertainment. Of course, don’t forget a visit to the barns to meet the Draft Horses.
There are six performances featuring the beautiful Draft Horses – Thursday and Friday at 6:30 pm, Saturday at 10 am and 6:30 pm, and Sunday at 10 am and 4 pm – and there are a variety of ticket prices available. Ticket prices are $19 for reserved seating or $16 for general admission at the evening and late afternoon performances; $15 for reserved seating or $12 at the morning performances; and $13 for reserved seating or $10 for children’s tickets. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Fairgrounds Office at (530) 273-6217 or visiting the Fairgrounds’ website at NevadaCountyFair.com. Tickets purchased after September 21 will be charged an additional $3 per ticket.
This year’s Draft Horse Classic is September 22 – 25, at the tree-covered Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley, 50 miles northeast of Sacramento. For more information, visit here.
Guided Barn Tours are available to visitors at this year’s Draft Horse Classic and Harvest Fair at the Nevada County Fairgrounds. The behind-the-scenes tours, led by teamster and assistant show manager, Eleanor Roberts, are another way for visitors to be able to meet and talk with draft horse exhibitors, as well as meet the stars of the Classic – the beautiful draft horses.
Barn tours will be held on Friday, September 23, at 3 pm and Saturday, September 24, at 2 pm. Advance reservations are recommended, as there are a limited number of openings for each tour. The cost for the tour is $10 per person, and advance reservations can be made by calling the Fair Office at (530) 273-6217. If there is still availability, tickets may also be purchased the day of the event at the Arena box office.
Each tour will last approximately 45 minutes and will include meeting the exhibitors and learning about how they got involved with draft horses; discussing and seeing the different draft horse breeds; a show-and-tell of draft horse equipment, and a discussion about the training of draft horses and what it takes to put a team together. You’ll also get to roam to the various barns on the Fairgrounds to meet the beautiful draft horses!
The 30th annual Draft Horse Classic and Harvest Fair starts Thursday, September 22 and runs through Sunday, September 25 at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley. The Draft Horse Classic features six stunning performances in the arena. If you can’t make it to a guided barn tour, the barns are always open for viewing the horses in between performances throughout the event. Additionally, musical entertainment at the Pine Tree Stage, a world class art show, delicious food, vendors with western wear and items, a clogging jamboree, and a live horse shoeing competition are all part of the Harvest Fair, which takes place at the Fairgrounds during all four days of the Classic.
For tickets to the performances, the barn tours, or information, call the office at 273-6217 or visit here.
Majestic Draft Horse performances, breath-taking competitions, and seeing a Draft Horse “up-close” are all part of the festivities at the 30th annual Draft Horse Classic and Harvest Fair, September 22 – 25, at the beautiful Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley. Featuring six performances by the beautiful Draft Horses, this event has become the premier Draft Horse show in the western United States. The Classic spotlights a variety of horses, teams, and performances; featuring everything from farm wagons, carriages, and driving competitions to dancing horses and racing mules. The stars of the show are the horses, and with more than 120 horses stabled on the grounds, the Classic offers a unique chance to observe them in a multitude of settings.
Tickets to this event are on-sale now. Once again, we’re offering discounted pricing on adult admission tickets for evening performances, as well as on morning performances and children’s tickets. Tickets can be purchased by calling (530-273-6217), by visiting the Fair Office on McCourtney Road, or on-line. There is a small transaction fee if you order your tickets on-line. Ticket order forms are available at NevadaCountyFair.com. Choose from six performances!
Although there is a charge for the Draft Horse performances in the arena, admission to the Fairgrounds is free so all can enjoy the many activities of the Harvest Fair happening during the four days of the Classic. Visit the grounds to enjoy western music, Harvest Fair agricultural competitions and hundreds of community exhibits, a clogging jamboree, horse shoeing demonstrations, delicious food, and Art at the Classic. Plus, you don’t want to miss the opportunity to visit the barns and meet the famous Draft Horses up-close. We even offer guided barn tours!
The Nevada County Fairgrounds is located on McCourtney Road in Grass Valley, just 50 miles northeast of Sacramento. The phone number is (530) 273-6217.
Photo by David Wong Photography
Can hardly wait for this year’s Draft Horse Classic, September 22 – 25 at the Nevada County Fairgrounds. These Gentle Giants are a site to behold. Photo by David Wong.
