Nevada County Fair
The Nevada County Fair is right around the corner with 5 days full of rides, exhibits, demonstrations, arts & crafts, animals, music and so much more. The fair runs from Wednesday, August 8th through Sunday, August 12th at the Nevada County Fairgrounds, gates open at 10am on Wednesday with activities and fun for the whole family. Check out the daily fair schedule, special contests, entertainment guide, Flying U Extreme Rodeo, Monster Truck and Demolition Derby. Entertainment this year includes Elevation Funk Band featuring J. Silk, Second Time Around, Mogollon, Amanda Gray, Michelle Lambert, Chris Crockett to name a few. New this year is the goat yoga, virtual reality experience, truck and tractor pulls, and the Xpogo Stunt Team. Of course, the barns full of livestock, carnival rides and games and buildings full of exhibits (7,500 this year). Or maybe you want to try one of the Special Events? This year’s contents include: Jell-O Eating Contest, Frozen Shirt Challenge (be the first to thaw a frozen shirt and get it on) and Duct Tape Art Challenge. There are lots of great local organizations selling food to help raise funds for their programs year round (last year Treat Street raised over $900,000 for local non-profit organizations). With 31 different booths on Treat Street do you choose the same thing every year or mix it up? Three Gingers Bakery, local family owned bakery will be located near South Treat Street and serving piewiches. Try one of the new treats, ice cream sandwiched between two homemade pies. Did you know the Job’s Daughter Corn Dog booth sells between 15,000 – 19,000 corn dogs every year at the Fair? Or that Grass Valley Host Lions Club serves approximately 16,000 ears of corn over the course of the whole fair.
Special promotions each day of the Fair:
- Wednesday: Scholar Students Day
Free admission for Nevada County Honor Roll students until 5 pm
- Thursday: Community Day
Free coupon book with coupons for Treat Street, souvenirs and the Draft Horse Classic for the first 10,000 customers.
Free admission for disabled persons until 5 pm
- Friday: Family Friday
Free parking in Fair lots until noon. One free carnival ride coupon for first 500 guests
- Saturday: Military Appreciation Day
Free admission for active and retired military (who show ID) until 5 pm
- Sunday: Sunday Funday
Free admission for children 12 and under until 5 pm
If you’re worried about parking, don’t forget you can take the Gold Country Stage to the fair, click here for details and times. And for those who are interested in supporting Nevada City Boy Scout Troop 24 with carnival ride passes, please email me, as I’m selling advance tickets at the Inn Town Campground ($25 for a one day unlimited rides wristband, must be purchased by Sunday, August 5th). While you can save time and buy your tickets online, post a comment here and one lucky InnSide Nevada City blog reader will win a giveaway including two admission tickets a one day parking pass. Winner will be announced on Monday, August 6th. *Edited to say the winner is Vickie.
© 2018 InnSide Nevada City, Photos by Erin Thiem, Bri McKinley and Lenkaland Photography
I have not been to the Nevada County Fair, but would love to attend.
I visited the California State Fair this year and very disappointed on how much it has become out of touch in supporting and educating the public on the importance of all of our State, especially the small, independent folks who make California such a wonderful place to live and visit. They sold out to the huge corporate, commercial interest.
I had the opportunity to visit other local California County Fairs and also the Nevada State Fair the past 4 years and have enjoyed the spirit and support of the local groups of all those fairs. This is why I would love to attend the Nevada County Fair.
The Nevada County Fair is definitely the spirit of a small community– and I marvel at how you see so many people you know. Hope you can make it and add to your tour.
Hooray for the fair! We missed it last year so we are looking forward to going this year.
Let me know if you want to stop by the campground and buy a wrist band if you need one for the kiddos. (Looks like I’ll miss book club).
My grandchildren love the fair so much and look forward to it every year! I enjoy experiencing it through their eyes.
That’s a great way to think of it…..
Thanks for writing such a great review. Our family LOVES going to the fair. What a great community event from start to finish. The displays of creations by local residents. Treat street providing not only fun food, but an easy opportunity to support many local non-profits. Fun rides and wonderful music along with other displays of skills and talent. Don’t forget about the great ag shows and displays. So many families come together making huge time commitments to share and educate all who are interested.
Agreed… you can buy a whole cow and support a 4H member. I also love watching the the showings, b/c you know the kids have worked all year for this opportunity.
My boys would love the duck tape art challenge. Sounds like fun!!
I’m sure every one is unique! Thanks for entering.
I love our Fair! Thanks for sharing all of the great photos. I’d like to remind Fair-Goers that Ponderosa Hall will have excellent exhibits from local weavers, basketmakers, spinners, felt-makers and knitters and crocheters of hand-spun yarns. And it’s an air-conditioned building. There will be hands-on demonstrations for all ages in the Wool Room hosted by Foothill Fibers Guild.
Great PSA for the exhibits, always fun to see people showcasing their arts. And bonus for the air conditioning.
I can’t wait to try more foods this year! I always try something different!
I will admit seeing the photo of Bri’s pies sure made me hungry….
I’m always waiting for the Nevada County Fair with great anticipation. Too bad I got so wrapped up in family that I forgot to enter some cards.
Ingrid entered 4, so she’s doing it on our behalf!
I love walking around the exhibits and seeing all the extremely talented people we have here. I was also very happy to spot a healthy organic salad option on Treat Street last year! Yum! 🙂
Great post!! We are looking forward to the fair this year!! So excited!!
Love your eyes for great pics…
The Nevada County Fair is an annual tradition for us. Love the exhibits, the food, the music, seeing old friends, and so much more.
Can’t wait for the fair!
This is the best fair ever. It has lots to do and that country fair feel. We go every year!
I’m looking forward to going this year! I love seeing the exhibits and eating lunch on treat Street!
I can’t wait for the fair!!! Every year I get excited to see the rides stroll into the Fair. And the food is so amazing
We love the fair, we go every year! First we always check out the animals!
We love the fair! Fantastic photos, Erin.
I’m so excited about the Fair, and my husband had even agreed to go with me and the kids! He was getting ready to skip, but I’m thrilled he’s changed his mind.
We can’t wait for fair- we do one family day- and one date night!
I love the Fair. For the last 6 years I’ve worked a shift on Treat Street too. Such a great experience. I love seeing all the talent out local community has.
Which booth have you worked at? I’ve done my time in the Taco booth.
Will be attending with my sister who’s flying in from Texas just for the fair! I’m very excited!
We are looking forward to going! It’s a summer tradition for our family. Thanks for all the info and the beautiful photos.
My Grandma moved up a few months ago after living her entire life in Southern California, I can’t wait to take her to our beautiful fair grounds to see all of the animals and enjoy some delicious food from treat street.
Wow, that Three Gingers Bakery ice cream sandwich is a show stopper!
What haven’t I eaten at the fair, gee, only been going for 63 years now!
Love the Fair and have attended it since 1975. My Grandkids love it too!!
We will be at the fair and Outside Inn for the first time next week- cant wait!
I really hope they have the Gravitron, or its successor, the Starship 2000. Long live the Gravitron.
We wait all year for the fair and visits with old friends…no better place to eat our way through the day than on Treat Street.
Very nice blog. It got my attention. I would not have known about the fun contest. I would love to win some tickets. I usually donate and to get half price but I didn’t make it this year. I hope everyone has a great time enjoying the fair this year.
I love to see the amazing quilts and the kids’ “ugly” cakes. Can’t wait to take my family.
We love the fair! Can’t wait to go again this year 🙂