By Terra Avilla
In the wise words of Randy Cochran, “Fair week was a big deal for our small town.” And oh, what a town and community it is.
Last Sunday concluded the 2023 Lassen County Fair season. Nothing is quite like a small town, and nothing is quite like a small-town fair.
Fair activities actually start long before Fair week with all of those adorable little 4H members preparing to show and sell their animals. I had a sweet surprise when none other than little Derek Cook came to my work (among many other stops) to promote his geese that would be sold at the auction.
I can tell you – I was so impressed with him and this community. It’s more than just a fair.
Days before the kickoff, my sweet friend Ellie Brown told me that her sweet little niece had been deemed one of the little royalties that would take stage at the Miss Lassen County Contest. Peri Polan beamed with pride as she and the other kiddos clamored on the stage.
I saw little Ms. Kimber wave goodbye as she hugged her brother on stage, and my heart swooned. It’s more than just a fair.
Continuing the night of the pageant, I saw Shelley Bennett watch her daughter compete in the same contest she had won years ago. The same contest that Ms. Bennett manages.
This year Jennifer Wood stepped in so that Shelley could be a momma to her daughter and soak in every minute of this experience.
It was recognizing all of the beautiful contestants and watching their families cheer them on. I am at the stage in my tenure in town where I comfortably say, – “Oh I remember Tammy and Mary from when they were little!” It’s more than just a fair.
There are the rides of course and the food, (Cause it’s not fair time unless you see the families of the CHP officers working away in the CHP 180 trailer because they have the BEST tri-tip around).
It’s going to the world-famous corn dog booth, partly for the corndog and partly to see your favorite faces selling them. It’s more than just a fair.
The concerts never disappoint, as even my family from Reno make the drive over to experience our wonderful little community. I love sitting and people watching. Shooting texts to people in the festival area that I can see them and watching as the scour the grandstands until they find me.
It’s not being able to walk more than a couple of feet at the fair until my husband stops to talk to someone as my children plead to “just go on one more ride.”
It’s them now being at the age where Peach sees her own friends, as “fair” becomes a socializing time for her. I bee-bop to the next ride as I hear Jeremy’s beautiful booming voice singing with Forgery in the pavilion. It’s more than just a fair.
It’s the Lassen County Fair parade. Randy Cochran, who rode in the parade with his son, who you might know as the Chief of Police, Ryan Cochran.
Randy writes, “I bet there were at least 50 entrants in the parade and tons of that healthy candy was tossed to the children eagerly awaiting our passing by them. American flags everywhere, hands over their hearts and salutes as the American flag passed by. Oh, it was hot, but that did not make people stay home. Lots of people, pets and shady spots were at a premium.” It’s more than just a fair.
Year after year the Lassen County Fair engrains itself into my heart and into so many memories my children will have growing up here in our wonderful community. They too will know why it’s one of the reasons I love where we live.
