From: John Steffanic, Plumas Sierra County Fair Manager
To: Feather Publishing
Subject: County Fair Entertainment
Date: June 29, 2009

For Immediate Release

    Although some people do not enjoy entertaining, the Plumas-Sierra County Fair does. This year, the fair board members made it clear that the citizens of Plumas and Sierra counties deserved at least four days of good times. It appears they will deliver on that promise.
    “After 150 years, you have to know how to throw a party,” said Fair Manager John Steffanic. Relying on help from interim manager Bill Powers and fair board members, especially Marci Johnson, this year’s event should keep everyone entertained.
    “We like to talk about the big events, but this year, even the smaller acts pack a lot of fun,” said Steffanic.
    His goal for the 150th anniversary event is to have something of interest at every turn. It all begins at the front gate with an opportunity for folks to have their picture taken with Chipper, the fair mascot.
    Expect to see jugglers, magicians and belly dancers. Shake hands with a stilt walker and look for spontaneous dance routines from local studios. Visit Old Town and listen to top-of-the-chart songs from every decade since the ‘50s.
    There will be a daily program listing performance times of acts such as SplashDogs, the Amazing Harmonatras and Dr. Rabi’s Traveling Medicine Show.
    The last two feature a lot of audience participation. The Amazing Harmonatras, perhaps in an effort to save money, rely on both kids and adults to help staff their impromptu band.
    Dr. Rabi is basically a snake oil salesman and needs to be watched so he doesn’t take advantage of the locals. He also gives kids a chance to make their own jump ropes between shows.
    If you haven’t heard of SplashDogs, you will! This “new” sport couldn’t be simpler. Throw a dog toy in the water and watch the dog go after it. That’s all the spectators care about, but these mutts are actually part of a league of sorts.
    That doesn’t mean you can’t bring your own hound to compete. There’s a link on the fair’s website that will take you to the SplashDogs site and tells you how to enter.
    Each day of the fair will highlight an important industry in Plumas and Sierra counties. Thursday is Mining Day, Friday is Agriculture, Saturday is Timber and Sunday is Railroad Day.
    There will be a different group of displays each day next to the Peppard Cabin. Visitors can watch gold panning, branding, log milling and even have a chance to yell “All aboard!” It’s an opportunity for these industries to show off their heritage and skills.
    In keeping with those themes, Friday night in the grandstands will feature the Outlaw Rodeo. A video posted on the fair’s website, plumas-sierracountyfair.net, captures the excitement of the show.   Bull riders will compete for points in this Western Regional Bull Riders Association sanctioned event.
    They’ll even bring some wooly stock for mutton bustin’. Want to compete? Follow the link on the fair website to Outlaw Rodeo for more details. A sweetened purse will bring out the good talent.
    After years of not having a logging show, fair board director Marci Johnson thought it was time to bring it back. The Great Sierra Logging Show promises to bring back the skill and glory of years past.
    With the help of competitor George Harrison, the show will bring loggers from as far away as Montana. Harrison is the son-in-law of local logging great Martin Hedrick, who retired two championship trophies at the Quincy show in the ‘50s and ‘60s—he won the event six times. Three other competitors have retired one trophy.
    Sierra Pacific Industries has kindly donated the logs that will be used in events such as the double buck, Jack & Jill, hot saw, axe throwing and the Bull o’ the Woods contest.
    Entry forms are online. The overall champion will receive a $1,000 award with prize money totaling more than $6,000, making this the richest logging show in California.
    Both grandstand events start at 7 p.m. at a cost of $10 for adults, $8 for students (13–17 years) and seniors, $5 for kids (5–12), and kids 4 and under are free.
    Although music has not been mentioned yet, don’t worry. There will be live local and regional bands performing free nonstop from open to close daily. A new stage will be placed on the lawn across from the family gardens with a large grassy area to bring your blanket and park.
    Local favorites like Antique Rockers, Soldiers of Hi-Fi, the DeVilles, Now & Then and the Back 40 will join regional powerhouses Kenny and the Crew and No Taboo.
    Most musical tastes will be served, including rock, country, funk, and rhythm and blues.
    The Plumas Sierra County Fair is also proud to present California State Fiddling Champion Johny McDonald. The city of Portola and Railroad Days will have their inflatable 81-foot bounce house and obstacle course to keep the kids happy, and the Elks will offer beer to keep the adults happy.
    World Amusements is back with carnival rides and games. They will bring with them the Zipper, Gravitron, Orbiter and Kamikaze, as well as the Totally Extreme and Tidal Wave. There will be plenty of kiddie rides too.
    Discount carnival tickets are available at Plumas Bank locations around the county and at the fair office. Booklets are $15 each, a savings of $10 compared to buying a book at the fair. Wristbands for unlimited rides are available for $25 all day Thursday, Friday and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m., but not available Saturday.
    Fairgoes may exchange a pre-sale booklet for a wristband on those days as well.