PLYMOUTH, CA. Where else, but the Amador County Fair can you
meet a wheelwright who traveled the United States by covered wagon and a
rifle-toting Mountain Man shopping on the midway, then listen to a unique
Celtic rock band called Tempest or the city sounds of Maxx Cabello Jr.? Then
The Spazmatics (who just got some notoriety for playing at Drew Barrymore's
wedding) take you back to the eighties.
The Amador County Fair, July 26-29th, is an amazing
collection of old and new, traditional and trendy. You can gorge on the once-a-year
guilty pleasure of Fair Food, then taste fine award-winning wines with the
Amador Winegrowers on Friday night, or hoist a microbrew at the Brew Tastings
on the weekend.
“We have to keep things fresh and exciting for our Fair
visitors,” says Troy Bowers, CEO of the Fair. “But we need to keep our
traditions alive as well. The Fairgrounds is a living history museum that we
don’t want to abandon.”
He is speaking of the permanent exhibits that are as much a
part of the Amador County Fair as the carnival and corn dogs. Visitors flock to see the turn of the century
sawmill using steam power to cut massive logs, to watch as ore is stamped at
the Pokerville Gold Mine, or to see the Mountain Men reenact an old saloon
fight. Alongside the whirling, twirling
neon of the carnival, the daily antique tractor parade chugs along.
As usual there are hours
of fun things for kids to do that don’t cost parents a nickel, including free
admission on Thursday until 6:00 pm. All kinds of fun activities await in the
49er Kids Town, they can laugh and learn how to juggle with the Jumbo Shrimp
Circus and they can learn about Amador County’s Miwok culture under the
willow-branch-covered round lodge, where they can make and take home a craft
project. At the Gold Mine they can pan
for gold, though they probably won’t end up rich!
There’s a charge for
entertainment in the Grandstands Friday through Sunday, but that won’t stop
capacity crowds at the Truck Pulls on Friday night, the Rodeo on Saturday and
the packed Destruction Derby on Sunday.
Buying your reserved seat in advance is a good idea. Thursday night the
arena will host the Mutton Bustin’ preliminary round with the finalists going
on to compete during the rodeo. "Pay What You Can" donations are
requested to watch the Mutton Bustin'.
The Fair wouldn’t be the
Fair without everyone in Amador County working, volunteering, or dropping
by. From manning service club booths, to
monitoring buildings, to sponsoring various items and activities, residents of
Amador County are very involved in the annual event. The exhibit halls are filled with art,
quilts, baked goods, preserves, needle arts, plants and flowers, gems and
minerals, and Junior projects. The barns
bustle with animals tended by 4-H and FFA youth, show rings, and with parents
not far away making sure all is well.
Tickets are available on
line and you can save on Fair admission and Carnival rides. Reserved seats for
Grandstand Events and the Wine Tasting on Friday night are available in advance
as well. For more information about the Amador County Fair, July 26-29th, visit
www.amadorcountyfair.com.
