Welcome Challenge of Champions CHSRA Championship Rodeo

What an honor it is for us to host the 2009 Challenge of Champions, the California High School Rodeo Association State-Wide Championship Rodeo March 20 through March 22, 2009. Once again the historic Benny Brown Arena and the Amador County Fairground and Events Center will be energized with these talented young men and women.

We salute the efforts of the parents, officials, friends, sponsors and relatives who give of themselves to help our youth. As everyone knows, fast times and high scores don’t “just happen”. So, to those behind the scenes who don’t get the buckle, a tip of the hat. This is truly the foundation from which this great nation was built upon.

Oh behalf of the Amador County Fair Board of Directors, management and staff we wish you the best of luck, blue skies, warm temperatures and a fast arena.

Rope ‘em ‘n’ Ride ‘em
B. Troy Bowers, CEO
Amador County Fair

Amadoropoly Clue

What is the largest community and fundraising event in the county for the Rotary Club of Jackson, Jackson Lions, Rotary Club of Plymouth-Foothills, FFA Boosters, Amador Wrestlers, Argonaut Volleyball, Amador County Unified School District Basketball and Cheerleading Program, Fiddletown Community Center, Sutter Creek Church of the Nazarene, Miss Amador Scholarship Contest and countless 4-H, FFA and Grange Kids in the County?

Hint: "It's A Grape Time to Hukilau"

Amador County Fair Recognized

The 2008 Amador County Fair has been recognized with multiple awards in the annual Western Fair Association (WFA) Achievement Awards competition. No less than six first, and five second place wins were chalked up by the Fair’s marketing and operations programs for the 2008 Barnyard Mardis Gras Fair. WFA is composed of member fairs and large special events in the western states of Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Arizona, Idaho, Texas, Minnesota, Indiana, New Mexico, Alaska and Hawaii, plus three major shows in Canada. The Amador County Fair competed against other Fairs of similar size.

Top honors went to the Fair for their 10 Reasons to Attend the Fair advertising series, the Barnyard Mardis Gras theme execution, the $2,000 Big Easy Cash Giveaway, their Innovative Use of Technology in Advertising, the 2008 Sponsorship Packet, and their Emergency Plan. They also received second place awards for the overall marketing program and print advertising designed by Fair publicist Karen Spencer, the Fair Guide produced by the Ledger Dispatch, the poster by Rand Huggett, Fair Sponsor Involvement and the Fair’s Conservation Program.

“It’s especially gratifying to be recognized by your peers in the Fair industry,” says Troy Bowers, CEO of the Amador County Fair. “But we fully understand that we owe our success to the partnerships we have with our sponsors, our vendors, our volunteers and the teamwork of our staff and our Board of Directors.”

Looking forward to another award-winning Fair, the 2009 event is sure to catch the eye of the Judges in the next competition. The Amador County Fair says 2009 is “A Grape Time to Hukilau” July 30 - August 2.

More about the Amador County Fair Foundation

The Amador County Fair Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 publicly supported corporation. The purpose of the foundation is to make it possible for community members and businesses to support improvements to the county fair and receive a tax benefit for their donations. In addition to physical improvements of the fair facilities, the Foundation will focus on promoting educational/agricultural and leadership opportunities for area youth. Amador county community members and business owners can support the foundation’s efforts by becoming an annual or lifetime member of the foundation.

Membership for the Amador County Fair Foundation are available:
$200 for a Single Membership - includes one admission to the Amador County Fair.
$300 for a Family Membership - includes four admissions to the Amador County Fair.
$2,500 for a Lifetime Membership - Includes two admissions to the Amador County Fair for life.

For more information about the Foundation please contact Pat Crew, Jackson Tire Service at 209-223-300 or Troy Bowers, CEO Amador County Fair at 209-245-6921 or

Amador County Fair Foundation Love A Fair

Amador County Fair Foundation’s Inaugural Event A Huge Success
“Love A Fair Ball” Kicks off the Foundations Fundraising Efforts

Plymouth, Amador County, California, February 23, 2009….A shared love for the Amador County Fair brought together over 200 people on Valentine’s Evening for the inaugural event of the Amador County Fair Foundation the “Love A Fair Ball”. The evening, which included a prime-rib dinner catered by Thomi’s in Jackson and the lively 40’ era music of “Sister Swing” was a great success by all accounts. “It’s really amazing how generous this community is even in such difficult economic times,” says Susie Clark the Foundation’s Treasurer, “We couldn’t have asked for a better start for our foundation both as a fundraiser/membership drive and opportunity to bring community awareness to the foundation’s goals.”

The Fair’s own Pokerville Hall was transformed for the evening into an enchanting atmosphere of Silver, Pink and Black. Guests took the opportunity to dust off their formal attire and dancing shoes making the evening even more elegant than most would have imagined.

In addition to the wonderful meal and music, attendees had the opportunity to win three fabulous prizes in the evening’s raffle including a very valuable gold coin, complete set of Cooper tires and the ultimate all-inclusive fair package. Proceeds from the event including the raffle and membership drive will help the foundation fund the many projects they have ahead. Membership information and details regarding the efforts of the foundation can be acquired by contacting the Amador County Fair at (209)245-6921.

Rally for Prospect Motors January 10 at High Noon

As most of you are aware GMAC, the financing company for GM has frozen the credit for Prospect Motors that resulted in the closure of the car dealership owned by the Frank Halvorson family for over 25 years.

I am asking for your help. As Prospect Motors and the Halvorson family has stepped up and contributed so much to this community I am asking for you to step up. Let us not forget their contributions to our community and families including purchasing animals at the Junior Livestock Auction, sponsorships for the Fair and leadership as a long time Director of the Amador County Fair. This is just a small sample of how the Halvorson family has contributed to Amador County.

At HIGH NOON this Saturday, January 10, there will be a GIANT SUPPORT RALLY in the Prospect Motors parking lot. Gather up everyone you know, put on your 4-H, FFA or Grange uniform, make signs, bring a banner and come out and show your support for the Halvorson Family.

Help spread the word. Text message, email, call, help pass out flyers. Get everyone you know to attend this photo-op and show the world how Amador County supports Frank Halverson and his family. There will be lots going on including the combined marching bands from the high schools.

There is one more thing you can do. Send an email to GM and GMAC to save Prospect Motors. Time is critical. Let's take back our future. Please send your email today to: Mark Laneve, Head of GM North American Operations at mark.laneve@gm.com, and to Barbara Stokel, Head of GMAC at barbara.stokel@gmacfs.com. If possible, please send these addresses to as many local residents as possible and have them contribute to this important venture as well.

IF YOUR HOLIDAY PARTY IS PACKED TO THE RAFTERS

WITH TOO MANY KIDS AND DEAFENING LAUGHTER,

THEN WRITE DOWN THIS NAME FOR NEXT YEAR’S BIG NIGHT –

WEVE GOT ROOM FOR YOU ALL AND THE PRICE WILL BE RIGHT.

IF YOU NEED SPACE FOR THE RELATIVES, WE HAVE AN R-V PARK,

BIG HALLS AND SMALL ROOMS FOR DAYLIGHT OR DARK,

FOR YOUR PICNIC OR PARTY, WEDDINGS AND MORE,

THE AMADOR COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS WILL OPEN THEIR DOOR.

CALL 245-6921 – IT’S THE BEST AROUND FOR HAVING GREAT FUN!

JOIN US JULY 30^TH THROUGH AUGUST 2nd, 2009 FOR A GRAPE TIME TO HUKILAU AT THE AMADOR COUNTY FAIR.