What a bad fair manager/blogger I've been! I probably did have time to keep everyone current, I guess I just didn't think about it. Anyway, there's no time like the present to catch things up.

Plans for the 2012 fair are in high gear and I'll bring you up to date on progress next week. For now, I just want to take a moment to thank everyone who has helped, supported, donated and celebrated the Plumas Sierra County Fair. I usually don't like to name names, mainly because I know I'll forget someone, but here goes anyway. If I missed you, or you someone else I missed, just add them or you to the comment section. Or, give me a smack in the head, and then I'll have another topic to write about!

Volunteers, especially Willo, Fred, Jill, Charlie, Jerry, my family, Bill, Margie, and Michelle.

Sponsors and donors, especially Jim and Judy Madden.

Boosters, especially Jon, Lori, Terry, Lisa, Holly, Lucia, Mona, the Fair Board, 4H and FFA.

Angels, especially Grant and Cindy.

I know I didn't cover everyone, but you have to start somewhere! Happy New Year!

Well, that wraps up the 2011 Plumas Sierra County Fair. It has been a rough 12 months of mainly financial challenges and uncertainty, but thanks to a dedicated staff and Fair Board, I would consider the event a success. The entertainment was the best in years and Kidland!, hosted by Calvary Chapel was a major hit. Our Bull Ride Smackdown was standing room only. Take time to check out the You Tube video of our now world famous Redneck Electricity Parade.

It looks like we have a plan in place to keep the fairgrounds open, meaning there will be a fair in 2012! We can use any help you can offer, so contact the fair office if you have an area of interest or expertise, we would love to have you. I have lots of exciting events planned over the next year, so let's have

Local resident Al Muir is having one humongous garage sale at the Fairgrounds this weekend. Cars, tools, furniture and good junk! Stop by.

Sled Wars was a big success. Excellent job by Keith and Kenny on putting on a very professional show. Good attendance, good racing. This will turn into a major event for Plumas County.

Pre sale carnival tickets are now being sold around the county. Save yourself some money and pick up at least two per kid. Wednesday is Kid's Day at the Fair... all kids under 12 get free Fair admission and you can exchange a presale carnival ticket book for two all ride wristband that day. Remember, the carnival doesn't open until 4pm on Wednesday. More next week....

Sledwars! Swim Meet! Horse Show! This fairground is the most used event facility in the county, by far. Swing on out if you like loud snowmobiles racing on grass. The races start at 9am. There's food and even a bikini contest, which I had to withdraw from because of a hamstring injury. It looks like we have received a great number of entries for the fair, and you still have time to enter any floriculture

These people know how to put on an event! Whether the music is your gig or not, you have to admire the logistics of how these promoters fit almost 10,000 people on our fairgrounds and entertain them. This is our number one source of income at the fairgrounds, and we appreciate that they have chosen Plumas County as the sight of their shindig. I also know they appreciate the location and local support. Hopefully, we can keep this relationship going for many years to come.

Sled Wars is next weekend. Come watch people race snowmobiles on grass in July! This is a heavily used fairground, sometimes hosting a half dozen events a day!

For those of you who procrastinate, we have extended the entry deadline until next Friday, July 22. You still have time to enter that jam, drawing, potato, afghan or scarecrow. Show us what you can do!

Yes, it was a little damp, but spirits were not! We had a great turn-out on a rainy day. The show and shine brought out a fantastic selection of classic cars, the chili cook-off provided plenty of heat and the business expo did exactly what it was supposed to. Lot's of businesses were able to exchange information about each other, offer samples and give out special deals. Good job to Feather Publishing for organizing a great show. The Footloose Dance studio dancers put on a wonderful show and the Cub Scout Bike Rodeo was well attended. A special thanks to Kent and the Quincy Chamber for gathering an all-star line-up of chili makers. Everyone who went through Old Town to check it out, enjoyed the competition. I can't tell you who won right now, but I'm sure it will be in the paper this Wednesday. I also want to say, the citizens of Plumas County have a great staff here at the fairgrounds. My thanks to the whole crew for pitching in with limited resources and putting together a great event.

The Plumas Mudslingers have scheduled a bout in Serpilio Hall during the County Picnic next week, June 4. The event will begin at 2pm I think. I'll check on that. Anyway, if you haven't seen these girls yet, they put on one of the best shows you will ever see in the borders of Plumas County. Really.

Bit of bad news.... one of our twice yearly ropings had to be cancelled this weekend due to an outbreak of equine herpes. Yes, horses get herpes, and it can be serious. It just seemed prudent to put off the event, but they will be back on Labor Day weekend

One thing no one can argue with is how busy these fairgrounds are. This past weekend were the races and a terrific Quilt Show put on by the Quincy Crazy Quilters. What a professional show they put on! Very impressive and a great example of the kinds of events that help the local economy, drawing visitors from Nevada and Alturas, as well as the valley. They camped, they ate out, they explored our county. It was a great piece of business for the fairgrounds as well.

The next American Valley Speedway race will be at the County Picnic on June 4 and that's great entertainment, throughout the summer. Did you know we have had over 175 events and meetings at the fairgrounds since January 1 of this year? We aren't even into our busy season yet. Although our staffing has been reduced, we continue to serve a greater number of our community with a place to meet, entertain and gather in case of emergency. Thank you to everyone who has given and offered support. We need it.

County Picnic is only one month away! It should be bigger than usual this year. Besides the Sierra Cascade Streetrodders annual show, there will be a Cub Scout Bike Rodeo, the Quincy Chamber Chili Cook-off, the fast growing Plumas Business Exposition and the Out-and-Abouters Plant Sale. Of course there will be the Lion's Breakfast and 4H Showmanship and Awareness day. That night will be the popular American Valley Speedway race. You will find food vendors, commercial vendors, and entertainment too. It's not too late to sign up as a vendor, just call Willo or Kathy during the week, or go to our Forms and Applications page and download the vendor application. Plan on coming out, Saturday, June 4 from 10am to 3pm and soak up the start of the good weather.

It's great to get out on a chilly spring morning and chase cows. This past Saturday was weigh-in for our junior livestock members raising beef. Much thanks to all the people that are always there to help.... Monte & Lisa, Willo, Margie & Bill, Oran and all the parents that are quick to jump in and get pooped on. It's been a couple of years since we had one get loose on the fairgrounds, so it was great fun to chase one around this year. With the poor weather, most everyone hasn't had the time to work with their animals as much as they would have like to. Still, most were well behaved. Small animal weigh-in is Saturday, June 11 at 9am.