14-year-old Lander Smith gallops his horse around the Fuji Park Arena during the playing of the National Anthem Wednesday during opening ceremonies for the Carson City Fair.
A party has started in town for the week, as Mayor Bob Crowell, supervisors, and Reno Aces mascot Archie made an initial entrance to the Carson City Nevada Fair — on an antique 1947 manure spreader.
Despite the wind Wednesday afternoon, locals gathered in the arena at Fuji Park to wave to city representatives, and enjoy live music, vendors, food and beverages, events, and carnival rides. The Youth Theater Carson City Showstoppers sang the national anthem as a welcome to attendees.
Although the supervisors voted to cancel the fair in 2016, Crowell said he’s happy to see the fair return after its one-year hiatus in order to promote 4-H and Future Farmers of America livestock shows and auctions.
They are overseen by the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension.
“In a world focused on technology, I think we overlook the necessity to know where are food and other goods are from,” he said. “The most important part is the kids and those involved in agricultural groups, as they need that support.”
The Northern Nevada Antique Power Club not only provided the manure spreader entrance but they’re also organizing a tractor show and exhibits throughout the week during the fair.
Suzanne Schneider, event organizer of the NNAPC, said the group is celebrating its 22nd annual tractor show this year at the fair.
“We decided to join the show again with the agricultural shows,” she said. “It’s wonderful to continue the fair after a year off and get kids back into learning about the fields, and how their fruits and veggies are grown.
“We found out they’re even more engaged when we talk about the farmers market to them.”
The youth livestock sign-ups also began and will launch Friday at 8 a.m., featuring categories in showmanship, market and breeding.
The livestock includes swine, sheep, goats, beef, dairy goats, dairy cattle, and cavy, rabbit and poultry.
