Create a Gingerbread House and Win!!

Now is the time for holiday bakers to think about the creation of a magical Gingerbread House to enter into the 7th annual Gingerbread House Competition at the Country Christmas Faire, held November 27 – 29 at the Nevada County Fairgrounds.

Competitors may enter any of the 12 categories, including children, teens, adults, families, groups and businesses. New this year is a category for children under 8 years of age who want to enter a house made by a kit.

First through third place winners will receive award money with the Best of Show winning $100. A special gift basket from Tess’ Kitchen Store will be awarded to the Best of Show winner and the People’s Choice Award.

Entry forms must be received at the Fairgrounds by Friday, November 20; the actual gingerbread house entry must be delivered to the Fairgrounds on Tuesday, November 24. All Gingerbread House exhibitors will receive two free passes to the Country Christmas Faire.

Entry forms and a complete list of rules can be picked up at the Fairgrounds office on McCourtney Road, or downloaded from the Fair’s website at www.NevadaCountyFair.com.

Country Christmas Faire - November 27, 28, 29

Mark your calendar for the 25th annual Country Christmas Faire at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley on November 27, 28 and 29.

Rated as one of the top handcrafted shows in Northern California, this year’s Country Christmas Faire will feature unique gifts and crafts from more than 100 top artisans.
Five exhibit buildings will be filled over the Thanksgiving weekend, giving shoppers a chance to start their Christmas shopping with quality hand-made gifts.

Visitors to the Faire will enjoy strolling live entertainment, festival foods, the magical Gingerbread House exhibit, and a community bon-fire. Wagon rides around the Fairgrounds will be offered; and Victorian singers, the bell ringing RiverBells, and the Sierra Symphony quartet will perform throughout the event. Additionally, Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus will be in The Chapel to greet children and listen to their Christmas wishes. A photographer will be available to capture the special moment with Santa.

Back by popular demand, the Northern Mines Girl Scouts will offer free babysitting so parents can drop off their children while they enjoy holiday shopping. Errand elves will also be available to assist you throughout the event.

New this year, the Nevada County Fairgrounds will partner with the Food Bank of Nevada County and HOPE (Help Other People Eat) for a canned Food Drive. Bring a can of food on Sunday, November 29, from 10 am to 4 pm, and get $1 off Sunday’s admission price. All food donated will help feed those in need in Nevada County.

The Country Christmas Faire begins Friday, November 27, and runs through Sunday,
November 29. The hours are 10 am – 5 pm on Friday and Saturday; and 10 am – 4 pm on Sunday. Admission is $4 for adults and free for children 12 and under. Parking is also free. A coupon for $1 off Sunday’s admission price is available on-line at www.NevadaCountyFair.com.

Contests, Costumes a Cupcake Walk

The Nevada County Fairgrounds Foundation is hosting a carved pumpkin contest and a scarecrow contest at its Barn Raising Celebration on Saturday, October 31, from 2 – 5 pm at the Whitney Pavilion at the Nevada County Fairgrounds.

If you’re interested in entering the contests, your carved pumpkins and scarecrows should be dropped off at the Fairgrounds, at the Barns near Gate 5, after 10 am on October 31. Winners will be announced at 4 pm. Additionally, a costume parade and contest will take place at 3 pm.

There will be games and treats for kids and even a cupcake walk! A live and silent auction will be happening throughout the day. We’ll be serving hamburgers and hot dogs and there will be toe-tapping live entertainment for all to enjoy.

It’s all happening, rain or shine, on Saturday, October 31 from 2 – 5 pm at the new Whitney Pavilion at the Nevada County Fairgrounds. The cost is only $5 per person and includes food, treats and entertainment! Parking is free. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Nevada County Fairgrounds, at all Citizen’s Bank branches, at the Book Seller in Grass Valley, or on the day of the event.

Call 530-273-6217, or visit www.NevadaCountyFair.com.

Fairgrounds Foundation to Host Barn Raising Celebration, Halloween Event

Bring your family and friends and come enjoy the festivities at the Nevada County Fairgrounds on Halloween day. Rain or shine, in costume or in street clothes, you’ll enjoy the many events planned inside the new livestock pavilion at the Fairgrounds. We’ll be serving hamburgers and hot dogs, and there will be live entertainment, treats for the kids, a pie auction, and special projects from the Ag Mechanics from our local high schools. You don’t want to miss the costume and scarecrow contests!

Hosted by the Nevada County Fairgrounds Foundation, this Barn Raising celebration and Halloween event is Saturday, October 31, from 2 – 5 pm at the Nevada County Fairgrounds. This event is in celebration of the completion of the Fairgrounds’ new livestock pavilion, the Whitney Pavilion, as well as a fundraising event for the new building.

The cost is only $5 per person and includes food, treats and entertainment! Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Nevada County Fairgrounds, at all Citizen’s Bank branches, or at the Book Seller in Grass Valley. Tickets can also be purchased on the day of the event at the Fairgrounds. Call 530-273-6217, or visit www.NevadaCountyFair.com for information.

Submit a Slogan for the 2010 Fair and You Could Win $100

Trees and timber will be the theme of the 2010 Nevada County Fair and the Fairgrounds is hosting a slogan contest in preparation for the event. Do you have a catchy or fun slogan that you think would be perfect for the 2010 Nevada County Fair?

Visit the Fair’s website at www.NevadaCountyFair.com and submit a slogan about trees or timber and the Fair. If the slogan you submit is selected, you win. The winner will receive $100, as well as a 2010 Nevada County Fair package that includes two free admission tickets for each day of the Fair, a 5-day parking pass for the Fair, and ride coupons.

The contest is open to Nevada County residents only. Slogan ideas must be five words or less and no trade-marked slogans will be considered. The contest runs now through October 31. For those without access to the Internet, entry forms are available at the Nevada County Fairgrounds office, or information can be mailed to the Fairgrounds at P.O. Box 2687, Grass Valley, CA 95945. No phone entries will be accepted.

The 2010 Nevada County Fair is scheduled for August 11 – 15, 2010. For a complete list of contest rules or information, visit www.NevadaCountyFair.com or call (530) 273-6217.

World Class Lumberjacks to Perform at Draft Horse Classic

Visitors to next weekend’s Draft Horse Classic and Harvest Fair can get up close and personal with world class wood-chopping lumberjacks, axe throwers, tree climbers, and wielders of mighty chain saws – free of charge.

The 23rd annual Draft Horse Classic and Harvest Fair starts Thursday, September 24 and runs Sunday, September 27 at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley. While there is a charge for Draft Horse performance tickets, admission to the Fairgrounds is free for the Harvest Fair activities. Lumberjack shows will start at 2:30 and 5 pm on Saturday and at 2:00 pm on Sunday on The Green, just as you enter the Fairgrounds at Gate 1. World champions will be performing in each category.

In 20 to 25 seconds a lumberjack will chop through a 13 inch thick log, while standing on the log. Double hand bucking contests will feature two loggers using a crosscut saw to rip through a 15 inch log in six seconds. The Jack and Jill hand bucking event features a man and woman team. Contestants will also compete in log rolling, on dry land not water, and speed tree climbers will also compete.

Live entertainment at the Pine Tree Stage, a world class art show, Treat Street goodies, vendors with western wear and items, a clogging jamboree, a live shoeing competition, community exhibits, and visits to the barns to see the magnificent Gentle Giant Draft Horses are all part of the Harvest Fair line-up.

In addition to the Harvest Fair activities, the Draft Horse Classic features six stunning performances of Draft Horses in the arena. Tickets to the performances are on sale now, as well as the day of the event, and may be purchased by calling the Fair office at 530-273-6217. Visit www.NevadaCountyFair.com for additional information.

Draft Horse Classic Tickets on Sale Now!!

Majestic Draft Horse performances, breath-taking competitions, seeing a Draft Horse “up-close,” a clogging jamboree, and a world class lumberjack show are all part of the festivities at the 23rd annual Draft Horse Classic and Harvest Fair, September 24 – 27, at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley.

Tickets for this must-see annual event are on sale now. Purchase your tickets early and save! If you purchase your performance tickets before the Draft Horse Classic begins, you will receive $3 off the ticket price you’d pay on the day of the event. There are six performances featuring the magnificent Draft Horses – Thursday and Friday at 6:30 pm, Saturday at 10 am & 6:30 pm, and Sunday at 10 am & 4 pm. Tickets can be purchased by calling, faxing or visiting the Fair Office by Wednesday, September 23, at 5 pm.

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. The grounds are alive with western music, Harvest Fair agricultural competitions, world-class lumberjacks performing for the crowds, a live shoeing competition, crowds enjoying Treat Street goodies, and a world-class art show. Plus, you don’t want to miss the opportunity to visit the barns and meet the famous Draft Horses up-close.

On Saturday, enjoy the Fall-like weather underneath the tall pine trees for “A Taste of the Gold Country,” featuring food from an abundance of local restaurants and wineries. For tickets and information, call the Grass Valley Downtown Association at (530) 272-8315, or visit www.HistoricGrassValley.com.

Call (530) 273-6217 or visit www.NevadaCountyFair.com for more information.