Going “Green” at the Nevada County Fair

As the world's attention focuses on ways to lighten the load on our planet's resources, this year's Nevada County Fair will include several “green” events and features, including a solar powered radio station, a “recycling” fashion show, a mining shack built from recycled materials, additional bins for recycling glass and aluminum, and alternative methods of transportation.

KVMR’s broadcast booth will be powered again this year by solar energy, and supported by Plan It Solar, Northern Sierra Air Quality Management, and Sierra Solar System.

Solar-powered sprint cars will also race by using the power of the sun. The cars, created using solar cell kits, were built and designed by the youth of Nevada County. The cars will race on a 20’ course at the Dance Pad on Saturday, August 9, at noon.

The popular Haute Trash fashion show returns this year on Wednesday, August 6, at 6 pm, and again on Thursday, August 7, at 5:30 pm, on the Pine Tree Stage. This show presents a hilarious aspect of recycling by using discarded materials to make clothing of all sorts. This show is sponsored by Nevada County Recycles, a sponsor of the Fair.

Again this year, the Fairgrounds has partnered with Nevada County Recycles and People First of Nevada County to provide recycling services during the Fair. There will be an increased number of bins placed around the Fairgrounds for recycling glass and aluminum. Every morning before the Fair opens, members of the local People First Chapter will be making the rounds collecting and replacing the bags in the bins. People First is a local self-advocacy group for adults with developmental disabilities, affiliated with state and national groups.

On display outside the Main Building is a mining shack created by students of the county’s Regional Occupational Program (ROP). Built in conjunction with the Nevada County Contractors’ Association, who created the assignment for the students, the building is made entirely of recycled materials.

Animal manure from exhibit animals is available for pickup by gardeners and others during the week following the Fair. The Saturday following the Fair, the Nevada County Farm Bureau will remove and recycle the remaining manure by transporting it to local farms for composting. The Farm Bureau also does the removing and recycling of manure following the Draft Horse Classic in September.

The Fair also recognizes that its event can create traffic congestion issues. Because of this and the high cost of fuel, the Fairgrounds has made alternative methods of transportation available to Fair-goers. Gold Country Stage will offer extended service to the Fair. The cost from Nevada City or Grass Valley is $1 each way, and the cost from Auburn or Penn Valley is $2 each way. Or, you can park at the Nevada Union High School parking lot and take the free shuttle, provided by the Nevada County Fairgrounds, to/from the Fairgrounds. The shuttle leaves every half hour, Wednesday through Sunday, starting at 8:30 am. New this year, the Fair will offer free parking for motorcycles at a designated area at Gate 1.

"We have always had an eye on reducing the environmental impact of the Fair," says Fair CEO Ed Scofield. "We're happy to see the growing support among participants for a more environmentally positive approach."

For more information, visit www.nevadacountyfair.com or call (530) 273-6217.