'Be a kid again' at the Nevada County Fair

Shoes made of moss, chairs covered with images of leaves, hand-painted gourds, tomato relish, a handmade grandfather clock, a mosaic table, Lego skyscrapers, paintings, photographs — thousands of exhibits await visitors to this year's Nevada County Fair.

Judges pored over entries and carnival workers hauled in rides Friday in preparation for the annual fair, which starts Wednesday, Aug. 11, and runs through Sunday, Aug. 15.

More than 10,000 exhibits have been registered, “testimony as to how the community supports this fair,” Executive Director Sandy Woods said.

On the Pine Tree stage, members of the Traveling Shoes practiced clogging in anticipation of their show at 2:30 p.m. Saturday.

Maintenance chief Tony Brock scoured the grounds for last-minute needs. Recent improvements include a new cement pad in front of the Pine Tree Stage and bright, new paint everywhere.

“We want people to have the best possible experience at the fair,” Brock said.

In the prop shop, Francie Campbell showed off trees created out of paper grocery sacks; their woody grins will greet visitors at the gates.

Their message, Woods said: “Come to the fair and be a kid again.”

What's new?

• Coloring contest. This event is for children ages 5 to 9.

Find the drawing to color on page A7 of today's The Union, sponsored by Weiss Bros. Nursery (it also will appear on Page A9 on Monday's paper). Color it in and take it to the fair on Wednesday, dropping it off from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Union's booth to the left of Main Street Center at Gate 1.

A drawing will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday. The first prize winner will receive an all-day ride pass; second- and third-place winners each will receive two ice cream bars from Lazy Dog Ice Cream.

• Ag-Sperience. On the lawn near the cow barns, this new area offers exhibits, demonstrations and hands-on activities. It features people from Nevada County Master Gardeners, the county Resource Conservation District and local organizations, farms and wineries showing fun and useful things.

Activities include how to landscape with native plants, create and use compost, spin and weave alpaca wool, and plan your winter garden.

• Special food contests. New contests for the best potato salad and vegetarian dish join old favorites for best cheesecake, chocolate creation and salsa. Daily at 6 p.m. at the special events tent, on the Green between Main Street Center and the dance pad.

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