We’re proud to announce that the Nevada County Fair took home 19 awards this month from the annual Western Fairs Association‘s Annual Achievement Awards program. We received awards for our work in social media (featuring Treat Street), digital marketing, our partnership with our Fairgrounds Foundation and the Foothill Lions Club (Cioppino Feed), our featured series on walkers at the Fairgrounds (wellness program), our partnership with the Nevada County Livestock Producers on promoting the auctions, our school partnership (Scotten School Robotics Club), and several of our photos. A huge thank you to our community and partners for their continued support of the Fairgrounds. Without you, none of these awards would be possible!
Roger Ingram Receives 2017 Blue Ribbon Award
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – August 8, 2017
Contact: Rea Callender, CEO, Nevada County Fairgrounds
(530) 273-6217;
Roger Ingram Receives 2017 Blue Ribbon Award
Roger Ingram of Grass Valley has been named the 2017 Blue Ribbon Award recipient by the Nevada County Fairgrounds Board of Directors. The award was created by Western Fairs Association (WFA), a nonprofit trade association serving the Fair industry, to recognize those who support and contribute to the quality of their local Fair. Roger is recognized for his contributions to the agriculture programs at the Nevada County Fairgrounds.
Roger’s involvement with the Fair began in 1986 when he started with the UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE). From 1986 – 1993, he served as the 4-H/Livestock and Natural Resources Advisor in Nevada County. His primary responsibility was management of the 4-H program; and, specifically, at the Nevada County Fair, he organized and conducted a livestock judging contest until 1995. He has been instrumental in coordinating carcass quality programs for Fair animals and working with exhibitors and leaders to understand the data and to use it to improve their feeding and management practices.
Additionally, from 2006 – 2011, Roger gave a series of agriculture-related presentations at the Fair as part of the series of workshops coordinated by the Nevada County Resource Conservation District.
Roger became the UCCE Livestock and Natural Resources Advisor in 1993, and the County Director in 2007. During this time, he helped with the development of Nevada County Grown, worked with local meat producers on marketing and processing issues, and worked extensively on agricultural policies and regulations. He has also been involved with the Nevada County Farm Bureau, Nevada County Agricultural Commission, Nevada County Grown, Tahoe Cattlemen’s Association, and Gold Country Sheep Producers Association. Roger retired earlier this year.
“For decades, Roger has been an advocate of local youth in agriculture, particularly the youth at the Nevada County Fair,” said Rea Callender, CEO of the Nevada County Fairgrounds. “His contributions to the agriculture programs at the Fairgrounds have educated adults and children. Whether it’s participating in the annual Farm Day, assisting with agricultural youth programs, serving as a guest speaker in the seminar series at the Fair, or assisting the kids at the Fair – his work is invaluable.”
“I am both honored and humbled to receive the Blue Ribbon Award,” said Roger. “The Nevada County Fair holds such a deep connection with local residents, and it has been an honor to serve the residents of Nevada County.”
Roger will be recognized at Opening Day Ceremony of the Fair on August 9.
Roger Ingram Receives 2017 Blue Ribbon Award
Roger Ingram of Grass Valley has been named the 2017 Blue Ribbon Award recipient by the Nevada County Fairgrounds Board of Directors. The award was created by Western Fairs Association (WFA), a nonprofit trade association serving the Fair industry, to recognize those who support and contribute to the quality of their local Fair. Roger is recognized for his contributions to the agriculture programs at the Nevada County Fairgrounds.
Roger’s involvement with the Fair began in 1986 when he started with the UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE). From 1986 – 1993, he served as the 4-H/Livestock and Natural Resources Advisor in Nevada County. His primary responsibility was management of the 4-H program; and, specifically, at the Nevada County Fair, he organized and conducted a livestock judging contest until 1995. He has been instrumental in coordinating carcass quality programs for Fair animals and working with exhibitors and leaders to understand the data and to use it to improve their feeding and management practices.
Additionally, from 2006 – 2011, Roger gave a series of agriculture-related presentations at the Fair as part of the series of workshops coordinated by the Nevada County Resource Conservation District.
Roger became the UCCE Livestock and Natural Resources Advisor in 1993, and the County Director in 2007. During this time, he helped with the development of Nevada County Grown, worked with local meat producers on marketing and processing issues, and worked extensively on agricultural policies and regulations. He has also been involved with the Nevada County Farm Bureau, Nevada County Agricultural Commission, Nevada County Grown, Tahoe Cattlemen’s Association, and Gold Country Sheep Producers Association. Roger retired earlier this year.
“For decades, Roger has been an advocate of local youth in agriculture, particularly the youth at the Nevada County Fair,” said Rea Callender, CEO of the Nevada County Fairgrounds. “His contributions to the agriculture programs at the Fairgrounds have educated adults and children. Whether it’s participating in the annual Farm Day, assisting with agricultural youth programs, serving as a guest speaker in the seminar series at the Fair, or assisting the kids at the Fair – his work is invaluable.”
“I am both honored and humbled to receive the Blue Ribbon Award,” said Roger. “The Nevada County Fair holds such a deep connection with local residents, and it has been an honor to serve the residents of Nevada County.”
Roger will be recognized at Opening Day Ceremony of the Fair on August 9.
WFA Blue Ribbon Award: Roger Ingram
What fun it was to surprise Roger Ingram at Nevada County Resource Conservation District’s dinner tonight with the news that he has been selected by the Nevada County Fairgrounds Board of Directors as this year’s recipient of the Western Fair Association’s prestigious Blue Ribbon Award. The award was created to recognize those who support and contribute to the quality of their local Fair. We’ll be sharing more about Roger and the many reasons he’s receiving this award; but right now we just want to say congratulations, Roger!
Nevada County Fairgrounds Wins Fair Industry’s Prestigious Merrill Award
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – January 23, 2017
Contact: Robin Hauck, Deputy Manager
(530) 273-6217;
Nevada County Fairgrounds Wins Fair Industry’s Prestigious Merrill Award
The Nevada County Fairgrounds has been selected as the recipient of the Western Fairs Association’s (WFA) prestigious Merrill Award for its Community Involvement Day. WFA made the announcement in Reno on Wednesday at its annual convention, where more than 1,000 Fair CEOs, directors, staff, delegates and Fair-related professionals from throughout the Western United States attend to celebrate the industry and its accomplishments in 2016.
The Merrill Award, named in honor of WFA founder Louis Merrill, is the highest honor a Fairgrounds can receive, and is given to a program that demonstrates innovation, vision, and excellence.
“To receive this award is truly an honor for the Fairgrounds, the community, and the organizations who shared the passion and goal of Community Involvement Day,” said Rea Callender, CEO of the Nevada County Fairgrounds. “We’re proud of this community program, and we’re so pleased that the industry recognized its impact and importance. Special recognition goes to Robin Hauck, Deputy Manager at the Fairgrounds, for her vision of this program.”
After years of incorporating community giving into the Fair lineup, the Nevada County Fairgrounds decided to further showcase community nonprofit organizations by providing a separate Community Involvement Day. By creating a special donation opportunity, a week prior to the Fair, the Fairgrounds connected the community directly with local nonprofits. The first Community Involvement Day was held in 2014 as a day to donate items to nonprofit organizations, while also receiving discounted admission tickets to the Fair. The Food Bank of Nevada County, Foothill Lions, Nevada County 2-1-1, NEO Youth Center, BloodSource, Story Club, and the Domestic Violence Coalition are among the charities who have participated in Community Involvement Day.
Through this program, 295 new blood donors have been registered, 254 pints of life saving blood have been collected, more than 1,700 books have been donated, 6,000 pounds of food have been donated to feed those in need, school supplies have been gathered for more than 100 families, and 1,198 glasses and 20 hearing aids have been donated to Foothill Lions.
In addition to receiving the Merrill Award, the Nevada County Fairgrounds received 15 WFA Achievement Awards, which recognize the best practices of Fairs in a variety of categories. The Nevada County Fairgrounds received recognition for its work in Ag-Sperience, digital advertising, social media, the Fairgrounds Foundation Speaker Series, Califia Café, and Treat Street shade.
The 2017 Nevada County Fair, “Sea you at the Fair,” is August 9 – 13; and the 2017 Community Involvement Day will be held on July 31 at the Nevada County Fairgrounds.
Members of the Nevada County Fairgrounds team receive the Merrill Award, the industry’s highest honor for Fairgrounds. The Nevada County Fairgrounds received the award for its Community Involvement Day, a day held prior to the Fair each year to donate items to nonprofit organizations, while also receiving discounted admission tickets to the Fair. The Food Bank of Nevada County, Foothill Lions, Nevada County 2-1-1, NEO Youth Center, BloodSource, Story Club, Sierra Harvest, and the Domestic Violence Coalition are among the organizations that have participated in Community Involvement Day.
Nevada County Fairgrounds Wins Fair Industry’s Prestigious Merrill Award
The Nevada County Fairgrounds has been selected as the recipient of the Western Fairs Association’s (WFA) prestigious Merrill Award for its Community Involvement Day. WFA made the announcement in Reno on Wednesday at its annual convention, where more than 1,000 Fair CEOs, directors, staff, delegates and Fair-related professionals from throughout the Western United States attend to celebrate the industry and its accomplishments in 2016.
The Merrill Award, named in honor of WFA founder Louis Merrill, is the highest honor a Fairgrounds can receive, and is given to a program that demonstrates innovation, vision, and excellence.
“To receive this award is truly an honor for the Fairgrounds, the community, and the organizations who shared the passion and goal of Community Involvement Day,” said Rea Callender, CEO of the Nevada County Fairgrounds. “We’re proud of this community program, and we’re so pleased that the industry recognized its impact and importance. Special recognition goes to Robin Hauck, Deputy Manager at the Fairgrounds, for her vision of this program.”
After years of incorporating community giving into the Fair lineup, the Nevada County Fairgrounds decided to further showcase community nonprofit organizations by providing a separate Community Involvement Day. By creating a special donation opportunity, a week prior to the Fair, the Fairgrounds connected the community directly with local nonprofits. The first Community Involvement Day was held in 2014 as a day to donate items to nonprofit organizations, while also receiving discounted admission tickets to the Fair. The Food Bank of Nevada County, Foothill Lions, Nevada County 2-1-1, NEO Youth Center, BloodSource, Story Club, and the Domestic Violence Coalition are among the charities who have participated in Community Involvement Day.
Through this program, 295 new blood donors have been registered, 254 pints of life saving blood have been collected, more than 1,700 books have been donated, 6,000 pounds of food have been donated to feed those in need, school supplies have been gathered for more than 100 families, and 1,198 glasses and 20 hearing aids have been donated to Foothill Lions.
In addition to receiving the Merrill Award, the Nevada County Fairgrounds received 15 WFA Achievement Awards, which recognize the best practices of Fairs in a variety of categories. The Nevada County Fairgrounds received recognition for its work in Ag-Sperience, digital advertising, social media, the Fairgrounds Foundation Speaker Series, Califia Café, and Treat Street shade.
The 2017 Nevada County Fair, “Sea you at the Fair,” is August 9 – 13; and the 2017 Community Involvement Day will be held on July 31 at the Nevada County Fairgrounds.
Nevada County Fair Nominated for Merrill Award
Congratulations to the Nevada County Fairgrounds on their nomination for Community Involvement Day for the Western Fair’s Association’s Merrill Award. We’re so very proud of this program and our community for supporting local nonprofits and donating on this day – and happy to see it receiving some much-deserved recognition in the Fair industry. Check out the feature story on our Facebook page.
Rod Byers Receives WFA’s 2016 Blue Ribbon Award
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – August 8, 2016
Contact: Rea Callender, CEO, Nevada County Fairgrounds
(530) 273-6217;
Rod Byers Receives 2016 Blue Ribbon Award
Rod Byers of Grass Valley has been named the 2016 Blue Ribbon Award recipient by the Nevada County Fairgrounds Board of Directors. The award was created by Western Fairs Association (WFA), a nonprofit trade association serving the Fair industry, to recognize those who support and contribute to the quality of their local Fair. Rod is recognized for his efforts in coordinating a successful wine competition at the Fair each year, and for his many years of service to the Nevada County Fair.
Rod’s involvement with the Fair began in 1983 when he started a commercial wine competition. In 1984, he shifted from that competition to a competition for local home winemakers, which focused on local grapes, wines, and people. Rod continues today as the supervisor of the Fair’s Wine Competition, overseeing all aspects of the competition, including the judging and approaching local wineries to sponsor the various divisions.
“We never tried to grow it to be the biggest competition, just the best,” said Rod. “I always try to run the competition with the entrant in mind – to give them the best possible feedback on their wines from a qualified, professional panel of judges.”
Rod and his wife, Melanie, have been married for 42 years and own Pine Hill Wine Works. He worked with Nevada City Winery for over 30 years, and now considers himself in the information and education side of the business. He teaches wine classes, writes a wine column for The Union, and has a TV show on local public access TV.
“Rod is kind enough to share his expertise with us at the Fair,” said Diane Hawkeswood, the Fair’s Exhibit Representative who has been working with Rod for more than 20 years. “We firmly believe that without his kindness, we would not be able to offer the wine competition to our exhibitors. We are so thankful for his dedication to the Fair and wine industry.”
“I am immensely honored to win the Blue Ribbon Award,” said Rod. “When I look around and see what some people do for the community, I don’t really believe I deserve any special recognition, but I sure appreciate getting it. Really, all we were doing was having a little bit of fun all those years.”
Rod will be recognized at Opening Day Ceremony of the Fair on August 10. The 2016 Nevada County Fair is August 10 – 14.
Rod Byers Receives WFA’s 2016 Blue Ribbon Award
Rod Byers of Grass Valley has been named the 2016 Blue Ribbon Award recipient by the Nevada County Fairgrounds Board of Directors. The award was created by Western Fairs Association (WFA), a nonprofit trade association serving the Fair industry, to recognize those who support and contribute to the quality of their local Fair. Rod is recognized for his efforts in coordinating a successful wine competition at the Fair each year, and for his many years of service to the Nevada County Fair.
Rod’s involvement with the Fair began in 1983 when he started a commercial wine competition. In 1984, he shifted from that competition to a competition for local home winemakers, which focused on local grapes, wines, and people. Rod continues today as the supervisor of the Fair’s Wine Competition, overseeing all aspects of the competition, including the judging and approaching local wineries to sponsor the various divisions.
“We never tried to grow it to be the biggest competition, just the best,” said Rod. “I always try to run the competition with the entrant in mind – to give them the best possible feedback on their wines from a qualified, professional panel of judges.”
Rod and his wife, Melanie, have been married for 42 years and own Pine Hill Wine Works. He worked with Nevada City Winery for over 30 years, and now considers himself in the information and education side of the business. He teaches wine classes, writes a wine column for The Union, and has a TV show on local public access TV.
“Rod is kind enough to share his expertise with us at the Fair,” said Diane Hawkeswood, the Fair’s Exhibit Representative who has been working with Rod for more than 20 years. “We firmly believe that without his kindness, we would not be able to offer the wine competition to our exhibitors. We are so thankful for his dedication to the Fair and wine industry.”
“I am immensely honored to win the Blue Ribbon Award,” said Rod. “When I look around and see what some people do for the community, I don’t really believe I deserve any special recognition, but I sure appreciate getting it. Really, all we were doing was having a little bit of fun all those years.”
Rod will be recognized at Opening Day Ceremony of the Fair on August 10. The 2016 Nevada County Fair is August 10 – 14.
Speaker Series Featured in Fair Dealer Magazine
Thank you to Western Fairs Association for the nice write up in the Fair Dealer regarding the Fairgrounds Foundation’s Speaker Series. Enjoy!
