“You just can’t talk about a county fair without sharing memories,” said John Steffanic, county fair manager. “Maybe it was a first kiss, or maybe it was throwing up after riding the Tilt-A-Whirl — either one will live with you your whole life.” Steffanic said the Plumas-Sierra County Fair provides that kind of touchstone for thousands of residents and visitors who have walked through the front gates over the past 84 years. The Plumas-Sierra County Fair Board decided to celebrate the fact that new memories will continue to be made year after year with the 2024 theme “Mountains of Memories.” This year’s fair will be held July 25 through 28.
#PSCFairFace
Pictures speak a thousand words and ever since the invention of the camera, photos have been a cornerstone of preserving memories. At the 2024 Plumas-Sierra County Fair, Steffanic said visitors will find loads of photo opportunities in the form of a selfie museum and dozens of decorated picture frames scattered around the grounds.
The first-ever selfie museum in Plumas County will be located in the Tulsa Scott Pavilion and will offer creative backdrops where fairgoers can insert themselves as part of the Olympics, appear to run for elected office, or be a circus performer. Steffanic encourages everyone to take some fun snapshots and then post them to social media with the hashtag #PSCFairFace for the world to see the memories they are making.
In recent years, community members have had the chance to “adopt” wooden pigs, chickens and fish, and then decorate them for display at the fair. This year, folks can pay $5 to receive a foamboard frame that can be shaped and decorated any way they want. Those frames will be displayed at various locations around the fairgrounds where people can take selfies of their faces within the custom frames and tag the images with #PSCFairFace. Those interested are encouraged to check the fair’s website or Facebook page for details.
Entertainment
The 2024 lineup of fair entertainment includes a free country music concert featuring up-and-coming artist Caleb Montgomery set for Friday, July 26, at 8 p.m. on the West Lawn by the Fred and Sharon Surber Family Gardens. Another new event will happen on Saturday evening in the grandstands: flat track motorcycle racing. Sunday night will see the return of the annual fair auto racing.
Live music will play on the Plumas Bank Stage in Old Town every night except for Sunday. Déjà Vu performs Thursday, Back 40 on Friday and Rummy on Saturday night. There will be lots of music and magic every day of the fair along with puppet shows and the Almost World Famous Swan Brothers Circus. The Mineral Building will host Eye Ventures, a display of mind-bending optical illusions for the whole family.
Wold Amusements will return to the fair with a full selection of carnival rides and games. Details about presale golden tickets and day passes are available on the website.
Steffanic also promises a great selection of food vendors and lots of clothing, jewelry and toy sellers. Even the Ol’ Fishin’ Hole will return, giving youngsters the chance to dip a fishing line into the pond and catch a trout. “Now that’s a memory!” said Steffanic.
Exhibits
“Of course, what makes a fair a fair is the competitive exhibits,” said Steffanic. “The fair urges everyone to consider entering something into the fair: jelly, jerky, photos, collections, vegetables and even house plants!” There are hundreds of things that can be entered with a chance to win ribbons and cash. The exhibit guide lists everything and copies can be picked up at Plumas Bank branches, local libraries and the fair office in Quincy. It can also be downloaded from the fair website. “It’s easy to do and is the best way to support your local fair,” said Steffanic.
Fairgoers are encouraged to take the time to walk through the livestock barns and enjoy the animals that local youth have worked so hard to raise and care for. The annual Junior Livestock Auction will take place Sunday, July 28, at 9 a.m.
Volunteering
Steffanic invites those looking to step up their fair experience to consider volunteering at this year’s event. The fair needs people to help clerk for judges, monitor buildings for a couple of hours per shift, and help out with dozens of other tasks. “The pay is nothing but the memories are priceless!” said Steffanic. “The Plumas-Sierra County Fair is looking forward to being part of everyone’s memories yet again.”
Information provided by Plumas-Sierra County Fair