| NAVIGATION Welcome Family Destinations Parental Get-a-Ways Senior Mementos Reader's Stories Events / Activities Restaurants Weather/Fire/Roads Resource Links Writer Queries Advertising Writer Biographies Newsletter Sign-Up Contacts |
Two Fun Fairs By Tracy Cameron The Nevada County Fair and the California State Fair are two fairs in Northern California that offer lots of fun activities for kids. I try to attend both fairs each year. The Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley is located under tall pine trees and has been called the prettiest in the state. I grew up attending the Nevada County Fair and have always loved it. When I was in high school I was there almost everyday and could guarantee I would see someone I knew. It is a true local county fair. The Nevada County Fair is also known by the "gold path", the marigold-lined walkway through the center of the fairgrounds. "Treat Street" is famous for delicious food such as tacos, Mexican food, baked potatoes, and corn on the cob made on the premises by local clubs and organizations. For families with younger children, try Kids Day. Search and Rescue, Sheriff vehicles such as fire trucks, car and boats, police boats and cars, and California Highway Patrol cars are on hand for kids to ask questions about and to climb all over. There is also a petting zoo, kids corral, games, and 4H animal exhibits. My son is eight and is starting to enjoy rock climbing and other thrill activities, which are available for a small fee. The midway is fun for older children. There is also an area with rides such as The Dizzy Dragon, merry go round, Roadsters cars, swings and motorcycles for younger children. My kids are just now starting to enjoy some of the rides for the older kids as they get taller. You can buy all day ride bracelets on Kids Day as well as Friday and this is a good deal if your kids go on lots of rides. Discount tickets are also for sale at Raley’s in Grass Valley and through the Boy Scouts. This year’s Nevada County Fair was August 8-12, 2007. The California State Fair is about an hour from Grass Valley and is a much larger version of the county fair and all counties participate in it. I always enjoy going through the building with the county displays and looking for my county. We also enjoy talking about the different counties that we have visited during our travels. We watched salt water taffy being made at Jeanne’s Candy. If you go on Kids Day you can get a bracelet for unlimited rides, which is great if your kids are going to ride a lot of rides. Kids Park offers a fun family environment. Kiddie Land rides such as the Little Dipper roller coaster are perfect for young children. My kids are getting taller so they are starting to enjoy the rides in the midway more. There is an area with animal races and two stages, which include children’s entertainment such as bird shows, juggling, comedy, puppet shows and more. Mad Science had a science show that my kids participated in and were fascinated by. There are many activities for children. The California Forest Center provides year-round opportunities to learn about harvesting and reforestation, and gives free seedlings to everyone at the fair. I love to go every year and get mine. Camp Smokey is an outdoor exhibit with forest critters like Smokey the Bear, Woody the Owl, and Sparky the Fire Dog. The Children’s Dairy Center is in the Livestock Pavilion and lets kids learn about the dairy cattle and dairy goat industry. Kids can actually milk a cow or goat. There is also a lot of other livestock for the kids to look at. The farm had tractors, which my son enjoyed climbing all over. There is a variety of food so that everyone can find something they want to eat. Be prepared for the heat as it gets very hot in Sacramento in the summer. Wear a hat and make sure to pack your sunscreen Gates open at noon Monday-Thursday and 10am Friday-Sunday, and close at 10pm.Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors 62 and over, $6 for children 5-12 years, and free for children ages 4 and under. Parking is $10. This year’s state fair is August 17-September 3, 2007. Check these two fairs out if you are looking for fun things to do with your children. Nevada
County Fairgrounds California
State Fair © 2007 Tracy Cameron |
| Disclaimers | © 2007 Gold Country Families E-Magazine |