Every year, the Nevada County Fair, without fail, brings the communities across the county together to enjoy something worth waiting for. With exciting rides, events, activities, good food, and exhibits compiled from the talented artists, bakers, and more from Nevada County, the students of Bear River also come together for a day of fun.

“Our fair is an awesome event!” Bear River’s Principal Christopher Roberts stated. “The setting of the fair in one of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. It’s amazing to see every edge of our community come support, work at, and run our fair.”

Out of the 86 people who voted on our Instagram poll, 79% replied that they were attending the fair. Some students expressed what they were most excited to do.

“I’m really excited to show my goats and look at all of the other animals!” said Sophomore Bailey Ham.

“I go to the fair because I love to eat the food and hang out with my friends,” Senior Jenna LaPlante stated. 

“[I enjoy going to the fair to] hang out with friends,” said Junior Maddie Pratt.

Many students from the Nevada Joint Union High School District receive Scholar Day tickets, which allows students with a 3.5 GPA and above to enter the fair for free and get a discounted “unlimited rides” wristband. With Scholar Day just passed on August 7, it was a great way for students to reunite with their classmates before the school year begins the following week.

Principal Roberts explained the reasoning behind giving students these tickets.

“There are a couple of reasons we give the students Scholar Day tickets,” he said. “First, we want to honor the students in our county. Those students that work hard everyday, both academically and behaviorally. It’s a small token of appreciation to the students of a job well done during the school year. Second, our county fair is one of the best in the state! We want our students to not only experience the fair, but we hope that one day our students might have a chance to return to our county and keep the fair going as a patron or even help run the fair.” 

There are a variety of ways students can, not only experience the fair, but also participate. Many students involved in Bear River’s FFA program show animals, though there are plenty of opportunities for others who aren’t as interested in animals to participate through the many exhibits the fair offers.

“I am showing a market and dairy goat for our FFA program this year, and I entered in multiple art exhibits,” said Ham. “I do it mainly because it is fun to see something you worked hard on be on display. Whether it be projects or animals so many of the exhibits have hundreds of hours poured into them, and I think it is such a fantastic opportunity to be able to see what our county can do.”

One of the many exhibits students can enter into is a baking category, which is exactly what Pratt did.

“I entered food and I did it because I enjoy baking with my friend,” she said. “I think that if people have a talent or something they like to do then they should enter it, because it’s really fun.”

Unfortunately, Bear River doesn’t have as huge as a presence at the fair when it comes to exhibits and events as out of 82 people who voted on an Instagram poll, only 22 expressed that they were involved in the fair in some form.

Principal Roberts, as well as Ham, discussed why students participation in the fair is important.

“When students get involved in the fair, they now have a vested interest in the fair and the work that it takes to put on such a wonderful event,” he said. “Having a vested interest will give the students ownership of the event and allow them to feel more pride in their work.”

“Other students should participate because it is a rewarding process,” Ham said. “You learn responsibility from raising an animal, you get to have fun making an artwork. And afterwards, many go home with ribbons or prizes!”

Principal Roberts concluded with what he enjoys most about the fair. 

“I look forward to the fair every year,” he said. “Seeing the students, along with all their projects (animals, art, ag mech projects, etc), is a reminder to me as to why I got into education. I love to see the pride in their faces on what they’ve accomplished. Not to mention, the food is delicious!”