Every snow storm is great for the water situation. It's another week we don't have to pay to pump water for the lawns. It's undeniably beautiful to look out at a blanket of snow. It's a great excuse for putting things off. But... we're ready for SPRING! We've got projects to do, buildings to paint, repairs and improvements. You will not believe the stuff we have planned for the fairgrounds this Spring. Visitors to the fairgrounds will be amazed and delighted by what they will see. If you want to help out, call us up. We'll put you to work on something. It's a great way to spend an afternoon or evening with the family. Plus, you'll always look at what you did and know you were a part of this gem in Plumas County.
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I've been married a few times. I have been diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. But never, never, have I been so disappointed as today when I got an e-mail saying the pig races couldn't make it to our fair. In fact, several pig racing concerns have shunned us. And the inter-species racing. (Remember? Goat vs. pig vs.sheep vs. duck vs. chicken) The last time we had animals racing each other was 150 years ago at the horse racing track, Rockwell Park. You know what? Fine. We don't want no stinking pig racing this year! We've got pedal tractor pulls, we've got diving dogs. We'll come up with something better to entertain ourselves! I'm working on fish racing at the moment, using only local fish so we're not at the mercy of some flatlander's fish whim.
Maybe something besides a race. A Bay Area fair has the Ugliest Dog contest. I found out that the top three stories last year for the Associated Press were 1.) President Obama's election, 2.) Michael Jackson's death, and 3.) The Ugliest Dog contest. Wow. As I read that I knew we couldn't copy them, so my warped mind immediately came up with the Ugliest Kid contest. Don't suggest that to a mother, it doesn't go over well. Anyway, rest assured the brightest minds of Plumas County are working on an event better than anyone else's. The most anticipated book next to the Grand Jury Report will be out around the end of the month. We are doing the final editing now and looking for a couple of businesses that could run an ad in the guide, let me know if you are interested. Cheap!
We really want to increase the number of entries into the Fair this year because that is what a fair is all about. It is what we have made, grown or raised. Then we show it at the fair. We will post the guide on line as well as distribute it at schools, businesses and libraries. Take a look at all the different catagories and think about what you have made, grown or raised. (Kids don't count) It's cheap to enter and the amount of money you can win is mostly lousy, but there is not a better feeling of accomplishment in your life than to win a blue ribbon in the county fair. I won a blue ribbon for a photograph I entered back in the 1977 Plumas County Fair. It wasn't even that good of a picture! But you know I still have it. Do yourself a favor and keep an eye out for the exhibit guide later this month. That's what they say at a rodeo, and we're going to have a dandy rodeo at this year's fair! Rockin' M is putting on a CCPRA sanctioned event. Last year's bull riding was cool, but this is a full on rodeo. Team Roping, steer wrestling, bronc & bull riding, barrel racing, bull fighters, clowns and drill teams. There ain't nothin' like a rodeo. You should be able to buy your tickets on line next week.
By the way, we really hope you come to these events. If we want to keep getting better entertainment, we really need to sell tickets to these events. We think the entertainment is well worth the price. The rodeo tickets will be $15, and that includes entry to the fair. So come out and support the Fair. Maybe we can steal away the Nationals from Las Vegas. It has come to my attention that some people think Chipper is writing this blog. No. He's cute, furry and looks good in a sombrero. But he cannot write. I'm not saying he's bad at writing, I'm saying he can't write. He's a rodent. He gathers nuts and makes suicide runs in front of cars and trucks on Highway 70. The truth is, we don't even see him very often on the fairgrounds. All the thug squirrels have run Chipper and his ilk out of the area. Rodent jealousy? Perhaps. The squirrels certainly don't have a human wearing an enormous costume in their likeness. Not only that, but squirrels can't write either. And there you have it, the squirrels control the turf, the chipmunk has the fame. That's right, there is such a thing as a fair convention. Besides information about how to run a better fair, there are dozens of entertainers trying to get booked. There is some amazing performers and I would have loved to hire half of them, but when you try to get a Motown cover band that has 9 members come from San Diego to Quincy, it gets a little expensive. We were able to firm thing up with several acts. The Pedal Tractor Pulls is in. The Nevada Gunfighters are back as well as Splash Dogs. Tony from SplashDogs was there with his dog Sierra, a black lab that makes your heart melt. We won't be getting the Elvis impersonator this year, or the Medieval Jousters.
There were some great speakers as well. At one session, we listened to a presentation from a stand-up comedian named Dick Hardwich who has been on shows like Jeff Foxworthy. He told the story of taking a date to a fair in the midwest. As the two of them were strolling down the midway of the carnival, a sudden tornado popped up. They did as they had been told through the years and layed down flat on the ground. The tornado went straight down the midway, destroying every booth in its way. When the two of them stood up and looked around, the only thing that didn't budge were those darned milk bottles. I told that to our carnival operator Jason, and he got a good laugh out of it too. It took longer to get to and from work this week, but it wasn't that bad of a storm for us. I hear it's a little bit tougher up in the Lake Alamanor end of the county. Winter time is usually a take it easy time at the fair, but Oran has a list of chores a mile long. His crew has started to refinish the floor of the Tulsa Building, they've painted some long neglected trim work and the ticket booths are getting a facelift.
We're firming up the details for Trailer Choir. I got the contract and it's different from many other entertainment contract in that they aren't making alot of demands. They seem like nice folk. We should probably feed them, so if any Quincy restaurant wants to treat the band and crew to a nice meal in a private room, let me know. Tickets have already started to sell. This one will sell out. Stay dry! Entertainment for this year's fair is starting to pick up steam. I hate to mention some things we're working on, in case they fall through. But I just can't stand it, so here's a couple of things I think we are going to get! Pig Racing! Yes! These little porkers tear around the track at top speed, winner gets an Oreo and soft serve ice cream. The audience is organized into teams, supporting the different compigitors. As if that's not enough... Pedal Tractor Pulls! Kids compete by pedaling mini John Deere tractors pulling a trailer filled with weights. It looks easier than it is, and it looks like total fun. Of course we'll have all the local bands we can get performing on the West Lawn, but this year, Oran is putting together a huge shade structure so you don't have to bake while you listen. By the way, no news on if we will have an opening act for Trailer Choir, let alone who it might be. You will be the first to know.
Yeah, it is exciting. For those of us that have been in the county a long time, we remember when performers like Reba, Alabama, Johnny Cash and other big time country stars performed at the fairgrounds. What many don't remember is that many of them were on their way up. Trailer Choir is a country trio that has hit the charts with "Rockin' the Beer Gut", which is a funny, and good, song. They have a couple of other hits and opened for Toby Keith most of last year. There are a few videos out there were they sing national anthems for a Steelers/Cheif's game and a NASCAR event. Evidently, they are tied in with more racing events, so 2010 should be a good year for them. And we have them! Tickets are cheap too! This might be one of those deals where they play ARCO Arena and tickets run $90. You can see them at the Plumas Sierra County Fair for $25 or less! We don't know about an opening act yet, but the phone is ringing right now and that might be what it is about. Stay tuned...
We have just released the sponsorship programs for the 2010 Fair. You will find the link to that information at the top of the page. It is presented in a Prospectus form because it is truly an investment in one of the most important and loved entity in our two counties...the Plumas Sierra County Fairgrounds. Having been a businessman for so many years in Plumas County, I realize how important it is to get the most for your buck. We have all given generously through the years to schools, churches, clubs and athletics. Although those are very important to the fabric of our community, the Fair is no less so. In fact, from a business perspective, the fairgrounds provide a very real financial return to the community in the form of wages paid, supplies and materials purchased locally, and the drawing of people from around Northern California to our various events. Top that off with the more abstract benefits of supporting the many organizations that hold events on the fairgrounds or that benefit from events held here, and your financial support really does become a sound investment. We've made sure that any support you give the fairgrounds is filled with value. Besides the above reasons, your contributions include tickets to the Fair, carnival ride tickets, signs, ads, announcements and even preferred parking! To stretch your investment even further, we will extend your sponsorship to other events throughout the year, some for a small fee, some for free! Acting early gets you the most for your money, so please take some time to look our programs over. You can even pay for them on-line all at once, or we can split up your sponsorship into monthly payments charged to your credit card. Thanks in advance for your support!
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John SteffanicJohn is the CEO of the Plumas Sierra County Fair. He lives in Portola and has been coming to the Fair in Quincy since he was a young boy. Chipper has allowed his name to be used in the title of this blog, but the viewpoints are all John's. Archives
July 2012
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