A SusanvilleStuff Feature
by Melissa Blosser, Assistant Editor
Fair time is here and while visions of corn dogs, carnival rides and cotton candy dance in our heads, the fair staff is busy behind the scene preparing for the spectacular event that every Lassen County citizen has come to anticipate.
“I am very excited about the different contests we are offering this year,” said Fair Manager, Jim Wolcott. “It’s just good old-fashioned family fun.”
For the last four years county fairs have struggled to keep their doors open, faced with cut backs from state funding. The fair staff and board continue to come up with new low-cost activities to entertain fair patrons. Some of these activities include a watermelon eating contest, funnel cake eating contest and a frozen t-shirt contest.
“We really rely on the great staff we have and all the volunteers to get the job done and help put on these activities” said Wolcott.
The fair typically has three full-time employees, multiple seasonal employees, and contracts out many organizations and groups to help run the gates, security, parking lots and rest room clean up. The staff spends weeks getting ready for one week of action packed fun and family entertainment.
This year this year the fair line-up includes Tuesday night Bull-riding, Wednesday night Miss Lassen County Pageant, Thursday night JDX country Showdown, Friday night Jo Dee Messina, Saturday night Auto Racing, closing on Sunday with the Demolition Derby.
“We brought bull riding in this year because the rodeo used to be a part of the fair and we are trying to bring some of that back for the people,” said Wolcott.
The ground entertainment and activities also provide free entertainment with acts like Circus Imagination, an interactive children’s show, Skip Banks, the amazing balloon man, and the Busy Bee Dog Show, featuring amazing dogs.
4-H and FFA kids are given the opportunity to showcase their hard work with Livestock shows starting on Wednesday and ending with the Jr. Livestock Auction on Sunday.
Overall the Lassen County Fair has something for everyone. Whether you are a carnival ride lover, a livestock supporter, a derby car builder, a quilter, or a canner, the fair won’t disappoint you. It is a place where people of all ages and for generations have made memories.
“No matter what, we know we create memories for families,” said Wolcott. “That is something you can never take away from people.”
