Nevada County Fair Competition Handbook Now Available

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!

There are hundreds of categories and specialty contests for adults and children. Try entering one of the traditional categories like baking cookies, entering a prized photo, creating a poster, showing something from your garden, or displaying a favorite collection. Or, enter one of the specialty categories like creating a miniature tree house, building a car for the solar-powered sprint car races, creating a produce character, or entering the “ugliest dang cake” contest.

Copies of the free handbook are available at the Chamber of Commerce offices, county libraries, at the Fairgrounds’ Office, or on-line at www.NevadaCountyFair.com. Area schools have also received a flyer with information about contests available to Nevada County youth.

The deadline for submitting paper entry forms is July 10 at 1 pm. The deadline for on-line entries is July 16 at 5 pm. There is no entry fee if you enter your still exhibit on-line.

This year’s Competition Handbook also contains information on discount days at the Fair, details about daily contests at the Fair, arena events, and advanced sale tickets.

Draft Horse Classic and Harvest Fair: September 23 - 26, 2010

The 24th annual Draft Horse Classic and Harvest Fair at the Nevada County Fairgrounds is happening this year beginning Thursday, September 23, and running through Sunday, September 26.

Six performances are planned throughout the event, where owners and their teams will compete for nearly $40,000 in prize money. In addition to the Draft Horse performances, the Fairgrounds are alive with music, Art at the Classic, lumberjack demonstrations, the Western Trade Show, horse shoeing competitions, and a clogging jamboree. Between performances, pick up your favorite goodie on Treat Street, then wander over to the Pine Tree Stage and enjoy the live entertainment. Or, go "backstage" and meet the horses up-close. Although there is a fee for the Draft Horse performances, admission to the Fairgrounds and Harvest Fair activities are free, so stop by anytime during the four-day event.

Take time on Saturday, September 25, to enjoy fine food and drink at “A Taste of the Gold,” which features some of the Gold Country’s finest restaurants, confectioners and wineries. Although Fairgrounds admission is free, tickets for this event must be purchased. Tickets include five food tastings, unlimited wine tasting, and a commemorative wine glass. To purchase tickets online, visit www.nswinecountry.com. For information or to purchase hard copy tickets, call the Grass Valley Downtown Association at (530) 272-8315 or visit www.historicgrassvalley.com.

Tickets are on sale now! Draft Horse Classic advanced tickets for reserved seating are $21 a person ($24 day of the event). General admission seats are first come, first seated, and are $18 in advance ($21 day of the event). RV camping is also available. Beginning on May 1, mail and fax ticket orders will be accepted; beginning June 1, phone and walk-in orders will be accepted. Ticket order forms are available at www.NevadaCountyFair.com.

Fairgrounds Seeking Nominations for Nevada County Fair Hall of Fame

The Nevada County Fairgrounds is seeking nominations for inductees into the Nevada County Fair’s Hall of Fame for 2010, and the community is encouraged to nominate individuals for this honor.

The Fair’s Nominating Committee is looking for individuals who support the Nevada County Fair and community relationships in a way that strengthens the mission and vision of the Fair. This support should be through assisting Nevada County youth during Fair activities; supporting agriculture, performing arts or educational activities; encouraging community participation in using the Fairgrounds as a community event venue; assisting in maintaining the beauty of the Fairgrounds; or any significant activity that helps move the Nevada County Fair toward its mission and vision.

Awards are given to individuals, not groups or organizations, and consideration may be given to individuals who are no longer living if their contributions were significant.

If you’d like to nominate an individual for the Nevada County Fair Hall of Fame, please submit a one page letter by July 7 stating your reasons why you are nominating the individual. Send letters by e-mail to reply@NevadaCountyFair.com or by mail to the Nevada County Fairgrounds at P.O. Box 2687, Grass Valley, CA 95945.