The Plumas-Sierra County Fair announces that its theme — “It’s Your Fair … Be There and Share!” — and lineup offer a touch of both the old and new. The fair is set for July 24 through 27 at the fairgrounds in Quincy.
“Nostalgia is the bread and butter of county fairs,” said Fair Manager John Steffanic. “The memories from fairs past are deeply embedded in so many people’s lives. Today’s fairs hold the promise of nostalgic feelings yet to come. The Plumas-Sierra County Fair tries to walk the line of preserving those memories, but still striving to create something new and different.”
Each year, the Plumas-Sierra County Fair Board is tasked with coming up with a theme that can both promote and set the tone for the annual fair. In discussions for the upcoming fair, the board focused on encouraging the community participation across the event, said Steffanic. Steffanic, who also serves as fair historian, reminded the board that the first theme of the modern Plumas County Fair in 1940 was “It’s Your Fair, Be There!” From that, the group quickly added a simple tagline that summed up what every fair needs: ”It’s Your Fair … Be There and Share!”
“That’s all it takes!” said Steffanic. “Share your time. Share your knowledge. Share your jelly. Share anything you have made, grown or raised. Share your spirit. Whatever you can, just come to the fair and share!”
Past favorites
The fair’s lineup includes many returning favorites from the past, said Steffanic. The carnival will offer a selection of rides. Live music from local musicians will be featured on the Plumas Bank Old Town Stage. Family gardens are on display next to the newly renovated Floriculture Building.
The Art Barn still shows off one of the finest art competitions around, points out Steffanic, and “the best quilt barn in the state,” along with sewing projects, preserved and baked foods and even home brews, can be found in the Home Arts Building. Swine, goats, steers, lambs and rabbits will be on display. Fairgoers can watch the 4-H/FFA horse show; Sunday evening will feature auto racing. “And of course, you can expect to see the most beautiful fairgrounds in California,” said Steffanic.
The annual fair parade is set for downtown Quincy beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 26. Those interested can contact the Quincy Chamber of Commerce for more information on how to participate. The junior livestock auction takes place, as usual, on Sunday morning at 9 a.m. Church services also start at 9 a.m. on Sunday morning.
New memories
New items in the lineup allow for fresh memories to be made, said Steffanic. Motorcycle races are back for a second year on Saturday night; Steffanic said they provide one of the largest draws in dozens of years. Several new family entertainers will offer children’s shows, steam punk hypnotism and Dangerously Fun Juggling. Steffanic promises music, laughs and dancing throughout the day, every day.
A rock and mineral display in the Mineral Building by the Reno Gem and Mineral Society, along with participation by several local rock and mineral experts, will blend old and new.
The International Mini Donut Eating Contest, a more recent addition to the lineup, is set for Friday evening.
Exhibit guide
The fair exhibit guide is available on the fair website and at Plumas Bank branches, county library branches and the fair office, 204 Fairground Road in Quincy. Steffanic encourages community members to take a moment to look through all the different categories in which they can enter something they have made, grown or raised.
“It’s as simple as filling out the entry form in the back of the guide and mailing or dropping off the entry at the fair office before the deadline, which for most items is July 11,” said Steffanic. “That’s just the entry form; you don’t have to bring in your actual item until the week before the fair.” The details are available in the free exhibit guide.
Schedule and tickets
The Plumas-Sierra County Fair opens at noon on Thursday, July 24, through Sunday, July 27. It closes at 10 p.m. on Thursday and Sunday, and midnight on Friday and Saturday. The carnival opens at 2 p.m. each day and closes shortly before the fair closes. All the exhibit buildings open at noon and close around 8 p.m. A complete calendar of events will be posted on the fair website in the weeks before the fair and the most up-to-date information will be published daily in the Chipper Gazette newsletter.
Admission fees have not changed for many years, said Steffanic. Adult tickets are $6, student/senior tickets are $5 and tickets for kids 6 to 12 are $4. A family of up to five can get in for $14. Weekly passes are available at a discount. Tickets are only available at the ticket booths on the days of the fair. The fair only accepts cash or checks. Motorcycle and auto race admission are charged separately from fair admission.
The fair features free admission on Thursday between noon and 2 p.m. Visitors that come in during that time can stay all day if they wish, but do not get a stamp to return if they leave the fair. Sunday is Pay What You Can Day. Everyone is welcome at no charge and donations are welcome.
Presale carnival ticket prices also remain unchanged from last year, said Steffanic. A daily unlimited ride ticket costs $30 and can be used on the day of the ticket-holder’s choice. A golden ticket, good for unlimited rides every day of the fair, costs $100. Presale tickets are exchanged for bracelets at the carnival ticket booth. Attendants will be on site to help.
Presale carnival tickets are available for purchase beginning in early June from any Plumas Bank branch, the fair office, Safeway in Quincy, Sierra Valley Home Center in Loyalton and Sierra Valley Feed in Sierraville.
Volunteers
Steffanic encourages anyone motivated to be more involved in the fair to consider volunteering. “The fair always needs people to monitor some of the buildings, which basically involves spending a couple hours visiting with other guests and making sure no one drinks the home brew,” he said. “It’s an enormous help to the fair and it’s a great way to share your time with this beloved event.”
More information is available from the fair office at 530-283-6272 or http://www.plumas-sierracountyfair.net.
