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Youth Fair continues tradition began in 1946 Chamber members told
Nevada Daily Mail
The Vernon County Youth Fair was the focus of this month's Nevada Vernon County Chamber of Commerce luncheon.
Friday's event took place amidst the various exhibits and displays showcasing the youth of FFA, 4-H and scouting.
Chamber members got a chance to marvel at the intricate, innovative creations of the county's youth, from "Camping Twinkies" and the various food entries, to intricate sewing designs, colorful artwork, and various crafts, photography and woodwork projects.
Chamber Executive Director Jennifer Eaton gave attendees an overview of the fair history, provided by Leonard Ernsbarger from his time as a 4-H leader.
The youth fair began in 1946 as an effort between the 4-H and FFA. It took its current title five years later.
Today, the youth fair includes scouting groups among its participating youth organizations.
The event was initially held downtown.
Leftover funds from the 1955 Centennial Celebration were used to purchase land for the Centennial Park and Fairgrounds.
The fair relocated to the grounds in 1957. In 1962, the first livestock building took shape, with various other buildings added over the years.
Proceeds from food sales at the diner have played a prominent role in financing the fair each year.
The livestock auction on the Saturday night of the fair remains one of the largest such events in the state.
Unlike a number of other county fairs, the Vernon County event has always been free.
The educational, social, and recreational focus of the youth fair has stayed the same over the years.
This year, there were 2,778 entries from 415 youth, ages 5 to 21.
In addition to sharing the history of the fair, Chamber members got an update from Nevada City Manager JD Kehrman.
The 2nd tour of Nevada arrives in town Saturday and Sunday. The Tour is a criterium, which is a bike race held on a short course (usually less than a mile), and often run on closed-off city center streets.
Saturday's event, which is due to start around 4:30 p.m., will take place downtown around the Square.
Sunday's event, which begins at 9 a.m., will navigate around Nevada High School.
According to various websites, success in road criteriums requires a mix of good technical skills -- the ability to corner smoothly while "holding your line" on the road, as well as rapidly and sharply -- and riding safely with a large group on a short circuit, along with exceptional "sprint" ability to attack other riders and repeatedly accelerate hard from corners.
Kehrman estimated about 200 riders will take part.
He then told attendees that the city's sewer improvements continue, with the final leg of repairs focusing on the interceptor lines around the city and the replacement of these "old, corrugated tubes.
"This is an important step in the right direction for our sewer improvements."
He also discussed the work on the new Nevada Public Safety building, a need that he said was identified in 1983. The current building was constructed in 1952.
"We've just outgrown that space."
The new building will offer a lot of what's currently missing, including holding cells, evidence control, and secure reception areas, among other improvements and additions.
Kehrman said he expected the new building to be online sometime in 2015.
Phyllis Sprenkle provided an update on the recent fireworks celebration, which is funded and coordinated by community volunteers.
She expressed her support to all those who contributed and particularly to the city, for its backing.
"We hope to make this better each year."
The all-volunteer effort, which is non-partisan, uses every dollar raised for fireworks.
She noted the group chose to put on the fireworks the Saturday before the Fourth, primarily due to the length of time that is needed to guarantee a production date, and to stay away from other July 4 events.
Future chamber events include:
* The Friday coffee July 25 at On My Own, which will feature breakfast.
* The next monthly luncheon Aug. 8 at the Cerner Healthy Nevada office located above the city's public library.