Struggling County Fair seeks to revitalize
Roseville,Calif.- ‘Our number one goal is to revitalize the Placer County Fair,’ promises Joan Bartosik, CEO. Bartosik was recently named to the post in a unanimous decision by the Placer County Fair Board, following nearly six months as the interim CEO.Â
When she took over the struggling County Fair last November, the event had posted a five-year decline in attendance. Since then she has been hard at work gathering information from the community and putting together a plan to bring the community back to the annual Fair, June 24-27. ‘County Fairs traditionally showcase the talents of the community. We have hundreds of opportunities for participation, from the competition for a blue ribbon to volunteering before and during the Fair.’
A Placer County resident, Joan wants to bring back the excitement of the Placer County Fair, with great entertainment, premium carnival rides, the livestock shows, and always something new to discover. ‘We didn”t just come to the Fair for an hour or one day,’ she says. ‘We came back so we could see and do everything.’
New food concession facilities have already been built behind the Grandstands to service the All American Speedway. Other food vendors are encouraged to apply for space, and efforts are being made to decrease duplication of food items.
Entertainment will range from strolling jugglers, clowns and balloon artists to the cool Sebastian Sidi with his smoking rock n’ roll piano. The Chicago Tribute Authority will play in concert with their full complement of horns, and Latin cross-over music will be featured on Sunday. In addition, 101.9 The Wolf is bringing the vocalist category of the Colgate Country Showdown to the Fair on Thursday, as singers compete in the local leg of a national competition. A wild animal show will entertain and educate all ages.
For the first time in Northern California, there will be Lawn Mower Races held on the Sunset Lawn. The U.S. Lawn Mower Racing Association will field such innovative machines as ‘The Turf-inator,’ ‘Pr-Grasstinator’ and ‘Mr. Mow-ron.’
The Cappuccino Cruisers and KHITS Radio will be amping up the Classic and Custom Car Show on Friday night. The judged show is open to area car clubs and owners, with a nice package of perks for the $10 entry fee. The Cruisers plan to field 100 cars with a parade followed by a display on Sunset Lawn. The Hot Rods will be on hand for live music.
Big plans are underway for the Grandstands, also, with Monster Trucks and Destruction Derby returning to the Speedway infield on Saturday and Sunday. Talks are being held with Mixed Martial Arts organizations for a show on Friday. On Thursday the Placer County Sheriff’s K-9 Unit will hold an extreme event demonstration.
Another new partner is the carnival operator, Wold Amusements, with a line-up of exciting rides. Pay-one-price wristbands will be available every day of the fair with no time restrictions. They are now available at office and at All American Speedway races for $20, saving $5 on the fair-time price of $25.
To encourage the community to come rediscover Placer County Fair, there will be no admission charge in 2010, although there will be a fee for the Grandstand events on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. ‘Wild and Free’ is the theme this year and it seems quite fitting!
