GRASS VALLEY, Calif. July 19, 2024 – In 18 days, the gates will open for the 2024 Nevada County Fair ‘Carnival Lights and Treat Street Delights’ with a big addition to the offerings. The Big Wheel is returning to the Fairgrounds. At close to 100′ high, this crowd favorite definitely stands out. Treat Street will be filled with fairgoers and the local non-profits’ booths will be ready to dish out deliciousness, including tacos!
Katie and Andrew were excited to announce the news:
There’s so much more waiting for visitors at the Fair, best to get your discounted tickets now.
Hours of the 2024 Fair
Wednesday through Sunday—10 am to 11 pm
Exhibit buildings 10 am—10 pm
Carnival open 11 am—11 pm
Worship Services: 9 – 10 am on Sunday in the Special Events Tent (gate admission ticket required for Fairgrounds entry)
In the Special Events Tent
2024 Special Events Tent
Carnival Kid Games
Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday (noon-1 pm), Friday (2 pm – 3 pm) and Sunday (2:30 pm – 3:30 pm) at the Special Events Tent
Join the fun! We will be playing Carnival Themed games including Ring the Lollipop, the Fishing Game, Ping Pong Toss, Ball the Basket and Penny Pitch. So, get ready to vie for fun prizes at the Tent!
Kids Make & Take: Pseudo Treat Street Snacks
Wednesday and Thursday (1 pm – 2 pm) at the Special Events Tent
Create Pseudo Treat Street favorites as a mid-day snack to nibble, we’ll be making: Fruit & Cracker Pizzas, Nut Butter & Berry Tacos, Corn on the Cob Popcorn and edible bracelets.
Kids Make & Take: Carnival Crafts – sponsored by Ben Franklin
Wednesday and Thursday (2 – 3 pm) & Sunday (3:30 pm – 4:30 pm) at the Special Events Tent
Make One or Make Them All! Choose a Carousel Horse, Pin Wheel, Straw Rocket or other fun Carnival themed DIY games.
Shuck It! A Corn Husking Contest
Wednesday (3:30 – 4:30 pm) at the Special Events Tent
If you love to shuck corn, this contest is for you. Think you got what it takes to be the fastest at husking an ear of corn clean? Join us… but know, there’s a twist… You have to remove the hush and the silk with your feet! Limited number of entrants allowed.
Frozen T-Shirt Challenge
Thursday (3 – 4:30 pm) at the Special Events Tent
Be the first to fit into a frozen t-shirt. Shirts are doused with water, scrunched and frozen. The object is to thaw the t-shirt and successfully fit your head and arms into the shirt. The first person to do so in their age category will be the winner. Limited number of entrants allowed.
Squash Mobile Racing
Friday (Noon – 2 pm) at the Special Events Tent
Attach wheels to a squash and watch it go. Bring a squash or use one of ours – create, decorate and get ready to race. No pre-registration required – just show up and have fun. Come join the fun!
Watermelon Eating Challenge
Friday (3:30 – 4:30 pm) at the Special Events Tent
Do you like watermelon? A lot? Be the first to finish your slice of melon, WITHOUT using your hands and win! Prizes awarded for winners in each age category. Limited number of entrants allowed.
Live Art Showdown – sponsored by Ben Franklin
Saturday (1:30 – 4:30 pm) at the Special Events Tent
Artists of all ages will each create a painting in 20 minutes. The audience will then vote for their favorite. Great prizes awarded to our winners. AND, you can buy this instant art on site after the contest is complete. Advanced registration encouraged as there are limited spots in each category. Register HERE today!
See details on the flyer
Hair for Good with Hair Loft Salon
Special Events Tent, Sunday, between 12pm – 1:30pm
Join us – and be a hero for kids with cancer and hair loss!
Take the challenge and grow out your hair to donate to Children with Hair Loss OR go the extra mile and rock the shaved head!! Shavee’s can register with St. Baldrick’s Foundation to raise dollars toward this nonprofit’s efforts around Childhood Cancer Research. The Hair Loft Salon stylists will be on hand to assist with the hair donation process, as well as to cut and style your hair or shave your head for free! Pre-register to shave your head and get free entrance into the Fair on the day of the event. The Fair’s fundraising goal is $5000 – make a difference and have some fun – register today!
Beard & Stache Contest [NEW IN 2024] – sponsored by Lather and Steel
Special Events Tent, Sunday, starting at 1:30pm – 3:00pm
NEW in 2024! Get that facial hair and those whiskers ready! It’s not just the gentlemen that can enter, we have classes for both kids and ladies. Check out the full flyer below. And REGISTER your whiskers NOW!
Ultimate Food Contests
Special Events Tent, Wednesday and Friday, 6:00pm
Homemade American Pie, Wednesday, 6:00pm
Garden Fresh Salsa or Pico de Gallo, Friday, 6:00pm
These food contests are a fun way to show off your skills and a favorite recipe! See listing on page 43 of the Competition Handbook online HERE, or see the flyer below. Contestants who enter by Monday, July 15th will receive a ticket to the Fair for the day of the event. You must enter in the online “ShoWorks” entry system.
Who Knows That Tune? – A Music Trivia Contest
Special Events Tent, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday starting at 6pm with a new round every ½ hour
Who doesn’t love music! Think you know your stuff? Come to the Tent and use your music know-how to win fun prizes. Each round will see teams receive a clue and then listen to a snippet of a song. Be the first to guess that tune and earn points – team with the most points wins the round and the prizes!
Bring your friends, bring your family and sign up your team to compete! Sign-ups start at 12 noon, space is limited. Teams must be between 2 and 6 individuals.
“Minute to Win It”
Daily (4:30-5:30 pm) at the Special Events Tent
Based on the always popular collection of challenges, come try to beat the clock. No entry forms or fees required. All ages welcome. Show up and get ready to play!
Karaoke
Every Night (8 – 11pm); Sunday (8 – 10 pm) at the Special Events Tent
Sing your heart out and show off your talent. Join fellow Fair goers for fun and entertaining rounds of karaoke. No pre-registration required; just come to the Special Events Tent, sign up, and get ready to sing.