Fair Board highlights include new directors, new security help, and a new 2023 Fair theme!
Compiled by Mari Erin Roth
Fair theme … what is it to be?
The Fair Board asked the public last month for theme suggestions for Fair 2023. “The response was impressive,” said Fairgrounds Manager John Steffanic. “Over 100 suggestions were sent in, as well as general concepts, and essays as to why a particular theme was most appropriate.” Each director was asked for their favorite and several themes rose to the top, but in the end, the winner was clear. “Stars, Stripes and Summer Nights” submitted by Lisa Tanner was chosen. Tanner is a frequent exhibitor at the Fair and received a free pass and a Golden Ticket for coming up with the winning theme. “The Board was happy the 2023 theme came from someone who is a regular supporter of the Fair,” reported Steffanic. “Many of the Fair theme suggestions revolved around wild fires, and since the weather was lousy after the contest was announced, there were quite a few themes that played off the cold and warm weather in Plumas County. The list, most of which is featured on the cover of the exhibit guide, is especially impressive for the amount of thoughtfulness that was evident in most of the suggestions.”
New blood
The April 19 meeting of the Plumas Sierra County Fair Board was the first for new directors Michelle Blackford and Cynthia Lusk. It was also the second meeting for newly appointed directors Libby Ryan and Vinnie Delbarba from Sierra County. The new president of the Board, Jim Griffin, conducted the meeting. Along with new members, there is a new policy manual and by laws being drafted by Plumas County Deputy Counsel Sara James. An update will be on the May agenda.
What’s in the lineup for Stars, Stripes and Summer Nights
Steffanic reported that 90 percent of the contracts for judges, entertainers, and fair services are completed and have been sent out. The Fair Board supported Steffanic’s choice for the Grandstand stage entertainment: Top Gun FMX, a motorcycle stunt show last month and the Fair Manager successfully closed the deal for the high adrenaline-infused act to jump into the spotlight, Saturday night, July 29. Ticket prices are not yet set but are expected to be $10. The show features Adam Jones, an 8-time X Games medalist, Dew Tour Champion, and current Nitro Circus athlete. Also in the show is Adam’s wife, Kimberly Ann, who is a former Monster Energy Girl and a model. A second un-named X Game athlete will join the show and be identified soon. Another special exhibition at Fair 2023 will be an exotic animal and insect display in the Mineral Building presented by the Sierra Nevada Zoological Society. The full entertainment line-up will be released to the public in the next few weeks. “Without a doubt,” said Steffanic, “it’s going to be the best fair, ever.”
Local E. Clampus Vitus lends a hand
Safety was discussed due to the unusual number of fights that occurred at the Fair last year. Manager Steffanic reported that the Plumas County Sheriff’s Department did an exceptional job of addressing these incidents before they got out of hand. He noted that many of the contacts with these incidents were by off-duty deputies who were attending the Fair with their families. An effort to improve the situation was made by asking for assistance from local chapter members of E Clampus Vitus. They will be the eyes and ears of law enforcement while serving as safety patrols. It is the hope of the Fair Board that E. Clampus Vitus patrols and presence through the evenings of Stars, Stripes and Summer Nights will stem the vandalism that has also been a problem at the Fair over the years.
Fair exhibit guide now available
The 2023 exhibit guide has been released. The guide is available on the Fair website and can be downloaded in its entirety or can be downloaded by each section. “That’s for those of us who still have to deal with dial-up,” said Steffanic. “The public can expect to see hard copies beginning next week in libraries and Plumas Bank branches.”
In fond memory
The final item on the agenda concerned longtime floriculture superintendent, Fred Surber, who passed away last month. There have been calls to name the floriculture building after him. Approval to name County buildings after people has traditionally been made by the Board of Supervisors. The Fair Board thought it was appropriate to consider this honor for Surber in light of his decades of being responsible for the thousands of flowers on the fairgrounds, and his many years as the County Agriculture Commissioner. With very little discussion, a motion was made to recommend to the Plumas County Board of Supervisors that the floriculture building located on the fairgrounds be named in honor of Fred Surber. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously. Manager Steffanic said he would move the process forward with the Boards action.
