After a two-year hiatus, the Plumas-Sierra County Fair is back and scheduled for July 28-31. File photo by Mari Erin Roth

News

Plumas County festivals and fairs are a “go”

March 3, 2022March 11, 2022 Editor

By Mari Erin Roth

[email protected]

Staff Writer

There is plenty of good news circling around the fairgrounds after a very difficult 2021. “The excitement of each year’s Fair begins with the arrival of the Exhibit Guide,” said Fair Manager John Steffanic, “and it’s time to get excited!” The exhibit guide is already available on the Fair website, plumas-sierracountyfair.net. The theme for the 2022 Plumas Sierra County Fair is “Celebrating Fairs Past.” Steffanic says, “Maybe we need to look to our past to remember what it is like to have a Fair after this pandemic and Fire Camp.”

An influx of unexpected, but welcomed funds, means the Plumas Sierra County Fair may present a big show in the grandstand for the 2022 Celebrating Fairs Past. Steffanic presented a sample contract March 2 to show the fair board members all the hoops that are presented with big entertainment acts along with the higher ticket price. The band Lonestar and musical artist Winona Judd were two of the names dropped by Steffanic for consideration. The board was very interested in the acts presented and they are stepping up to help choose what the “big show” will be. With a 3,000-seat capacity in the grandstand arena, the board is looking for the magic combination of affordability and an act that could draw a crowd of thousands.

On the “already decided” topics, a more robust line up of nightly and daytime entertainment will welcome visitors back to the fairgrounds. The lineup of presentations, daytime shows and specialty acts is more full than it has been in years. “It’s going to be the best fair ever,” said Steffanic.

The new date, July 28-31, puts the Plumas Sierra Fair in a more coordinated spot for regular fair vendor favorites. Plumas is a natural destination after the Hayfork Tri-County Fair July 14, then the Lassen County Fair July 20. As a result, carnival rides and booths will be at 100 percent and Golden Tickets for full access will be distributed for purchase at the usual spots around the first of April, no kidding. “Any tickets purchased for 2021 will be honored in 2022,” said Steffanic. In Quincy, the locations to buy Golden Tickets starting early April are Safeway, Plumas Bank and the Fair Office. In Chester, tickets are at Plumas Bank. In Loyalton, find them at Sierra Valley Home Center. In Greenville tickets are once again at Evergreen Market. In Portola they are at Plumas Bank, and in Sierraville, folks can find them at Sierra Valley Feed.

Fire Camp occupied a great deal of time and energy at the fairgrounds, but it has enabled many upgrades to the facility as a whole. A long list of projects already accomplished was presented to the board as well as an equally long list of in-process improvements, and finally, the “to do” items scheduled to make the facility more useful to the community and to those groups that utilize the space. Safety, reliability, utility, current needs and maximum usage of the space were the points made justifying improvements for the present and the long-range future usefulness of the fairgrounds. Employee of the month, Oran Morrison, provided details and adaptations to facilitate many of fairgrounds improvements. “His innovation has been invaluable,” said Steffanic of his favorite full-time employee.

County Supervisor Greg Hagwood was in attendance at the board meeting and shared that the County (and four other counties) will be receiving money in compensation for the Dixie Fire and that the County is similarly looking at how to use “one-time” distributions wisely. “We need to put together a comprehensive strategy for spending the money,” said Hagwood. The supervisor clearly stated that he would support fair funds being spent on fair projects versus getting absorbed into the County General Fund.

A new executive board was unanimously voted in to take the helm of the Plumas-Sierra County Fair Board at the in-person board meeting that took place March 2 in the Mineral Building. The new president is Cindy Noble and the new vice president is Christian Kennedy. Thanks was given to outgoing President Kenny Chance for his years keeping the board focused moving forward on current Fair Board topics. The next Fair Board meeting will be March 23 at 5 p.m. in the Mineral Building. The selection or decision to have Grand Stand entertainment will be one item on the agenda.

There will be more fun facts shared following the Fair Foundation meeting tomorrow, Friday, March 4, so stay tuned for details on the County Picnic, the 2022 Sweetheart of the Mountains scholarship competition, and more.

Events and festival in 2022 at Plumas County Fairgrounds