Carson City Fair seeks help from community

To borrow a phrase, it takes a village to raise a fair. The Carson City Fair, returning this year after hiatus in 2016, is no exception.

Utilizing only minimal dollars from municipal sources, the locally-organized and managed county fair is relying heavily on financial help from the community, said University of Nevada Cooperative Extension Educator Lindsay Chichester, lead organizer of the effort.

"One of the things I would stress to people is that this is a group of non-profits planning and hosting this event," she said. "There is minimal direct involvement from the city, and we need help to host this fair."

Chichester said the fair committee has estimated this year's event to cost around $60,000 to achieve all of its goals. So far, the Carson City Fair has only managed to raise about $16,000.

Some activities and exhibits at the fair will be canceled if funds are not found to cover them, she said.

"Unfortunately, whatever we can’t raise means that some things will have to be cut," Chichester said.

Although the funding hole is a big one, Chichester said there is no such thing as an insignificant contribution.

"No amount is too small," she said. "People can also sponsor something specific, like porta-potties, tents for livestock, or additional buses to get people to Fuji Park."

Fortunately, a parking dilemma that arose earlier has been resolved, she said.

Wal-Mart on Topsy Lane in South Carson City has agreed to open its parking lot to the public during the Carson City Fair, Chichester said.

"This is exciting," she said. "Having a public parking location is key to the success of the fair."

A map and final plan for transit to the fairgrounds is being drawn up this week with the Municipality of Carson City, she said.

This plan will give fair-goers information on public parking venues as well as tell them where to catch a Jump Around Carson (JAC) transit bus to Fuji Park.

As in years past, bus fares to and from the Carson City Fair will be waived.

But paying for the event and getting people to the fairgrounds are only two cogs in the wheel.

Another significant part of the fair is volunteers, Chichester said.

"We will need volunteers to help in a variety of capacities," she said. "From helping pick up trash to helping at the youth livestock shows."

Agriculture and livestock are the big draws to the Carson City Fair, which has distinguished itself apart from the Nevada State Fair as a more traditional county fair emphasizing the products of local farm and ranch culture.

Livestock exhibits and shows by the Future Farmers of America (FFA) and 4-H Club, both youth agriculture programs, are expected to be major attractions at the Carson City Fair, Chichester said.

The all-new 2017 Carson City Fair Book is now available online here to learn about the exhibits and activities scheduled for this year's summer celebration, which runs July 24-30 at Fuji Park.

"It includes all of the details for the youth livestock show and contests, the youth dog show, and the static contests, which are open to youth and adults," Chichester said. "This was a labor of love. Starting from scratch on these things just took longer than we anticipated."

Entry forms for contests can also be found on the Carson City Fair web site. There is no pre-entry required for static exhibits, Chichester said. Exhibitors just need to show up the first day of the fair on Monday, July 24 from 4-6 p.m. to enter their exhibits.

“We are excited to offer the Carson City Fair to the community," Chichester said. "This is a traditional-type county fair with the livestock and youth exhibits, while maintaining all of the things we love about a fair like baked breads and pies, vegetables, woodworking, and quilts."

The rural Nevada Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) Carnival will naturally be part of the fair, too, she said, as well as an antique tractor display and tractor pulling events provided by the Northern Nevada Antique Tractor Club.

A rodeo event will highlight evening entertainment, Chichester said.

"We are looking forward to bringing this event back to Carson City," she said. "We have changed the model of how this fair has been run in the past, and we hope to make it sustainable for years to come."

But sustainable also means long-term community support that can be relied upon for years to come, she said.

"We do need some help from the community," Chichester said. "That can come in the form of monetary donations, in-kind matches, or volunteerism.”

The final fair agenda can be found here.

For more information on how to help the Carson City Fair, contact Chichester at 775-887-2252 or email her at chichesterl@unce.unr.edu.