Since 1945 the Plumas County Fair Parade has been a Main Street fixture in our small town of Quincy, California. For as long as we can remember, the Plumas County Fair Parade was a major part of the annual Plumas County Fair, "The Last Best Little County Fair" in California. Some years ago the state reduced funding to fairs throughout California. In the process, Sierra County could no longer afford to have their annual fair, so we combined our Plumas County Fair with theirs and renamed it the Plumas-Sierra County Fair. We've had some pretty fantastic floats, crazy clowns, prancing ponies and dancing divas throughout the years, and each year we see some of our classic favorites return along with some new entries. Coordinating a big event takes a lot of help from a lot of people and agencies, so a heartfelt thank you goes out to the Plumas County Board of Supervisors, CalTrans, Plumas County Department of Public Works, the California Highway Patrol and the Plumas County Sheriff's Office for all of their assistance, and of course, the 20+/- volunteers who helped put this together, be at the staging area, provide traffic control and perform duties as judges. You are all amazing, and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
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2020 plumas-sierra county fair parade canceled due to covid-19 pandemic
2020 PLUMAS SIERRA COUNTY FAIR HAS BEEN CANCELED
In one of the saddest days of my Fair life, the Plumas Sierra County Fair Board accepted my recommendation to cancel this year’s Fair, as well as all scheduled events on the Fairgrounds for the rest of 2020. It was my hope to hold off any decisions until the beginning of July, but factors outside of our control began to arise; the realization that the carnival could not come due to financial realities of the COVID-19 pandemic, the cancellation of over half our vendors with more coming in daily, and the stark reality of our own financial future due to uncertainties in regards to the State budget. Over a month ago, I had prepared a plan as to how we could deal with all the COVID 19 concerns at the Fair; handwashing, social distancing, traffic flow through buildings, educational opportunities, etc.. It was my hope that this level of planning and concern would persuade the Health leaders in our County to see the Fair as an opportunity to inform the public as to how to behave at a mass event during a pandemic. Unfortunately, they could not even take that into consideration as long as the State of California is not in the Phase 4 of opening up. We are currently in the process of moving into Phase 3 and our Health official’s best guess was that we will not move into Phase 4 until as late as early winter. Phase 4 allows for gatherings the size of our Fair and Livestock Auction. The bottom line is, they will not approve any mass event in Plumas County until we reach Phase 4.
I want you all to know, I tried to present a plan B, C, & D. These all included various permutations of exhibits, livestock show and auction, and entertainment. None of them were allowed under the current Phase 3. This has not happened since World War II and I am so sad that we have to make this decision. The good news is, the Junior Livestock Committee, under Chairperson Megan Neer, began to do their research on virtual auctions when this pandemic first started. Almost every Fair that has cancelled, and over half in the State have done so, have used a virtual auction and seem to have done well with them. Since the auction is handled by the Livestock Committee, look for communications from them in the next couple of days explaining what sort of program they have put together. The dedication of these volunteers is impressive and they are doing everything in their power to make sure every livestock exhibitor has an opportunity to sell their animal though a positive experience. I hope everyone supports their efforts.
I know that many of you have heard the Lassen County Fair will take place, and at this time, that is correct. You should know that this course of action, while bold and independent, MAY cause them consequences regarding their State funding and insurance coverage. It feels good to think about standing up to this pandemic and going ahead with our cherished events, but when you consider the possible fall out, it becomes obvious that the best thing to do is work towards eradicating this virus, and begin planning for 2021. Although everyone on the Fair Board understood my recommendation and knew it was the correct course of action, no one wanted to be the one to make a motion to approve it, no one wanted to actually say there would not be a Fair this year. I appreciated the sentiment and the love this Board has for our Fair.
The future of the Plumas Sierra County Fairgrounds is murky. After 10 years, California Fairs had finally fought to have annual funding put in place in the State budget. With the pandemic, this has vanished. The greater impact though, is not being able to generate revenue at the fairgrounds since we cannot have events. Losing revenue from High Sierra Music Festival, the Plumas Homegrown Americana Festival, American Valley Speedway races, weddings, dinners, camping events…. I estimate a revenue loss of 80%. We are hopeful our industry will find different funds on the State or Federal level, but when it comes right down to it, it will be up to our County and community to keep the fairgrounds open long enough to be able to start having events again. Thank you for expressing your support whenever you can. I want you to know that Oran and I will continue to find ways to save money, make money, and serve the community any way possible.
Finally, I ask for your patience and understanding with all parties involved. Our Health Officials are doing their job in following State guidelines and doing what their expertise tells them is best for the health of our residents. Everyone has wanted some sort of certainty and level of information that has not been available until now. I could have told everyone the Fair was cancelled earlier, but I was hoping the situation would evolve enough to allow us to have the Fair. I hope you all accept that that was why we have had to wait until now to make this announcement. Please give the Livestock Committee time to wrap up their plans and pass that on to you. I know it will be forthcoming in a matter of days. Fair Campers have the option of asking for a refund or just rolling over their application to 2021.
Thank you for understanding and feel free to call me with questions. We need to come up with a theme for 2021!
John Steffanic
Fair Manager
In one of the saddest days of my Fair life, the Plumas Sierra County Fair Board accepted my recommendation to cancel this year’s Fair, as well as all scheduled events on the Fairgrounds for the rest of 2020. It was my hope to hold off any decisions until the beginning of July, but factors outside of our control began to arise; the realization that the carnival could not come due to financial realities of the COVID-19 pandemic, the cancellation of over half our vendors with more coming in daily, and the stark reality of our own financial future due to uncertainties in regards to the State budget. Over a month ago, I had prepared a plan as to how we could deal with all the COVID 19 concerns at the Fair; handwashing, social distancing, traffic flow through buildings, educational opportunities, etc.. It was my hope that this level of planning and concern would persuade the Health leaders in our County to see the Fair as an opportunity to inform the public as to how to behave at a mass event during a pandemic. Unfortunately, they could not even take that into consideration as long as the State of California is not in the Phase 4 of opening up. We are currently in the process of moving into Phase 3 and our Health official’s best guess was that we will not move into Phase 4 until as late as early winter. Phase 4 allows for gatherings the size of our Fair and Livestock Auction. The bottom line is, they will not approve any mass event in Plumas County until we reach Phase 4.
I want you all to know, I tried to present a plan B, C, & D. These all included various permutations of exhibits, livestock show and auction, and entertainment. None of them were allowed under the current Phase 3. This has not happened since World War II and I am so sad that we have to make this decision. The good news is, the Junior Livestock Committee, under Chairperson Megan Neer, began to do their research on virtual auctions when this pandemic first started. Almost every Fair that has cancelled, and over half in the State have done so, have used a virtual auction and seem to have done well with them. Since the auction is handled by the Livestock Committee, look for communications from them in the next couple of days explaining what sort of program they have put together. The dedication of these volunteers is impressive and they are doing everything in their power to make sure every livestock exhibitor has an opportunity to sell their animal though a positive experience. I hope everyone supports their efforts.
I know that many of you have heard the Lassen County Fair will take place, and at this time, that is correct. You should know that this course of action, while bold and independent, MAY cause them consequences regarding their State funding and insurance coverage. It feels good to think about standing up to this pandemic and going ahead with our cherished events, but when you consider the possible fall out, it becomes obvious that the best thing to do is work towards eradicating this virus, and begin planning for 2021. Although everyone on the Fair Board understood my recommendation and knew it was the correct course of action, no one wanted to be the one to make a motion to approve it, no one wanted to actually say there would not be a Fair this year. I appreciated the sentiment and the love this Board has for our Fair.
The future of the Plumas Sierra County Fairgrounds is murky. After 10 years, California Fairs had finally fought to have annual funding put in place in the State budget. With the pandemic, this has vanished. The greater impact though, is not being able to generate revenue at the fairgrounds since we cannot have events. Losing revenue from High Sierra Music Festival, the Plumas Homegrown Americana Festival, American Valley Speedway races, weddings, dinners, camping events…. I estimate a revenue loss of 80%. We are hopeful our industry will find different funds on the State or Federal level, but when it comes right down to it, it will be up to our County and community to keep the fairgrounds open long enough to be able to start having events again. Thank you for expressing your support whenever you can. I want you to know that Oran and I will continue to find ways to save money, make money, and serve the community any way possible.
Finally, I ask for your patience and understanding with all parties involved. Our Health Officials are doing their job in following State guidelines and doing what their expertise tells them is best for the health of our residents. Everyone has wanted some sort of certainty and level of information that has not been available until now. I could have told everyone the Fair was cancelled earlier, but I was hoping the situation would evolve enough to allow us to have the Fair. I hope you all accept that that was why we have had to wait until now to make this announcement. Please give the Livestock Committee time to wrap up their plans and pass that on to you. I know it will be forthcoming in a matter of days. Fair Campers have the option of asking for a refund or just rolling over their application to 2021.
Thank you for understanding and feel free to call me with questions. We need to come up with a theme for 2021!
John Steffanic
Fair Manager
2019 Plumas-Sierra County fair parade
Photos taken by Lisa Kelly and Shelley Hunter. All photos subject to copyright.