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LAKEPORT, Calif. – Another Lake County Fair is under way.
On Thursday evening, the annual fair parade wound through downtown led by Duane and Dorothy Furman of Scotts Valley.
After arriving at the fairgrounds main gate on Martin Street, Dorothy Furman cut the ribbon to officially open the fair.
The fair once again offers exhibit halls filled with photography, artwork, crafts, commercial exhibits, garden displays and a great deal more.
There also will be a variety of musical acts on the fair's stages and exciting events at the main grandstands.
One of this year's fairs big exhibits is the display of G gauge backyard model trains from Movie-Mix Productions of Santa Clara.
The display, sponsored by Featherbed Railroad of Nice, covers nearly 2,000 square feet and features replicas of the Southern Pacific, Union Pacific, Burlington Northern, and Denver and Rio Grande running on more than half a mile of track.
The carnival, provided by Midway of Fun, features a huge Ferris wheel dubbed the “Century Wheel,” which fair Chief Executive Officer Richard Persons said is twice as high was normal wheels. “It's 70 feet tall, so people will be able to see everything on the fairgrounds, in Lakeport, and across the lake to Nice and Lucerne.”
This year the bumper cars are returning to the fair, and there are the thrill rides like the Flying Bobs, Wipeout, Tilt A Whirl, Tornado, Phoenix, Kamakazi and the Starship.
Livestock shows will take place through Saturday, culminating in the annual Junior Livestock Auction, which begins at 1 p.m.
After the 2012 sale proceeds topped $300,000 in sales for the first time in the fair's history, organizers are hoping that this year's sale is another record breaker.
The fair continues through Sunday evening.
Prices are $10 for a regular ticket, $6 for a senior over age 60 and $6 for children ages 6 through 11.
Children under 6 years old are admitted free every day of the event.
A special admission program is in place for Friday, Aug. 30. Anyone who brings four cans of food to the gate between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. will receive free admission, with the food benefiting local food pantries through Lake County CAN.
Senior tickets are discounted every day of the event, and remain $6 for those over 60.
The Lake County Fairgrounds is located at 401 Martin St., Lakeport.
Visit www.lakecountyfair.com .
The full schedule for the fair's next three days follows.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
FRIDAY, AUG. 30
Special attractions
– Carnival Pay-One-Price Day $25 purchase in the carnival.
– Walk on contests take place at various times throughout the day. Visit the exhibit buildings to join the fun.
– Draft horse wagon rides sponsored by Calpine, climbing wall and mechanical bull all at the Donley Barn.
– Aunt Mary’s Art Center, in Fiesta Park; look for posted times.
– Mickey the Clown, strolling balloon sculptor Fill-up and magician Ken Garr can be found performing throughout the grounds, plus much more.
Schedule
8 a.m.: Junior poultry and turkey show, Baldwin Pavilion
9 a.m.: Open dairy goat show, Alexander Barn Arena; Junior beef and dairy cattle show, Baldwin Pavilion
12 p.m.: Junior pygmy goats show, Baldwin Pavilion; Junior dairy goat show, Baldwin Pavilion
4 p.m.: Gates open; Mark Weston Band, Theatre Main Stage
4:30 p.m.: Travis Rinker, acoustic guitar, Mediacom Gazebo Stage
5:30 p.m.: “Find Great Treasures” plant contest, Floriculture Hall
6 p.m.: Mark Weston Band, Theatre Main Stage
6:30 p.m.: Travis Rinker, acoustic guitar, Mediacom Gazebo Stage
7:30 p.m.: Lake County Bomber Invitational, main grandstands
8 p.m.: Travis Rinker, acoustic guitar, Mediacom Gazebo Stage
8:30 p.m.: Mark Weston Band, Theatre Main Stage
10 p.m.: Buildings close
11 p.m.: Fair closes
SATURDAY, AUG. 31
Special attractions
– Junior Livestock Auction and barbecue, held in the Baldwin Pavilion, starting at 10:30 a.m., auction at 1 p.m.
– Round Robin Showmanship, one and a half hours after the end of the Junior Livestock Auction.
– The Clothing and Textile display is open in the Theatre Building.
– Carnival Pay-One-Price Day $25 purchase in the carnival.
– Walk on contests take place at various times throughout the day. Visit the exhibit buildings to join the fun.
– Draft horse wagon rides sponsored by Calpine, climbing wall and mechanical bull all at the Donley Barn.
– Aunt Mary’s Art Center, in Fiesta Park; look for posted times.
– Mickey the Clown, strolling balloon sculptor Fill-up and magician Ken Garr can be found performing throughout the grounds, plus much more.
Schedule
10:30 a.m.: Junior Livestock Auction buyers registration and luncheon, Baldwin Pavilion
11 a.m.: Gates open
11:30 a.m.: Travis Rinker, acoustic guitar, Mediacom Gazebo Stage
12 p.m.: Snake Alley Band, Theatre Main Stage
1 p.m.: Junior Livestock Auction, Baldwin Pavilion
1:30 p.m.: Travis Rinker, acoustic guitar, Mediacom Gazebo Stage
2 p.m.: Snake Alley Band, Theatre Main Stage
3 p.m.: Travis Rinker, acoustic guitar, Mediacom Gazebo Stage
4 p.m.: People’s Choice Wine Tasting, Academy Park; Snake Alley Band, Theatre Main Stage
5 p.m.: Michael Barrish, acoustic guitar, Mediacom Stage
6:30 p.m.: Amateur Talent Contest, Theatre Main Stage
7 p.m.: Michael Barrish, acoustic guitar, Mediacom Stage
7:30 p.m.: California State Finals Tuff Truck, Buggy and ATV Racing, main grandstands
8 p.m.: Twice As Good, Theatre Main Stage
9 p.m.: Michael Barrish, acoustic guitar, Mediacom Stage
10 p.m.: Buildings close
11 p.m.: Fair closes
SUNDAY, SEPT. 1
Special attractions
– Fiesta Latina Day
– Carnival Pay-One-Price Day $25 purchase in the carnival.
– Walk on contests take place at various times throughout the day. Visit the exhibit buildings to join the fun.
– Draft horse wagon rides sponsored by Calpine, climbing wall and mechanical bull all at the Donley Barn.
– Aunt Mary’s Art Center, in Fiesta Park; look for posted times.
– Mickey the Clown, strolling balloon sculptor Fill-up and magician Ken Garr can be found performing throughout the grounds, plus much more.
Schedule
8 a.m.: Open rabbit show, Mather Building
11 a.m.: Gates open
11:30 a.m.: The “E” Ticket Band, Theatre Main Stage
12 p.m.: The Cherry Road Gang, Mediacom Gazebo Stage
1:30 p.m.: The “E” Ticket Band, Theatre Main Stage
2 p.m.: The Cherry Road Gang, Mediacom Gazebo Stage
3 p.m.: Fiesta Latina starts, Irma Lopez, Theatre Main Stage; Konocti Klogging Kids, Mediacom Gazebo Stage
4 p.m.: 4-H and FFA Award Ceremony, Baldwin Pavilion
5 p.m.: Travis Rinker, acoustic guitar, Mediacom Gazebo Stage
5:30 p.m.: Nuevos Abentureros, Theatre Main Stage
7:30 p.m.: Demolition Derby & Burnout Contest, presented by Lake County Tribal Health, Main Grandstands
7:30 p.m.: Travis Rinker, acoustic guitar, Mediacom Gazebo Stage
8 p.m. Banda la Tequilera, presented by Robinson Rancheria Resort and Casino
9 p.m.: Travis Rinker, acoustic guitar, Mediacom Gazebo Stage
10 p.m.: Buildings close
11 p.m.: Fair closes
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Winery Association is bringing the People's Choice Wine Awards to the largest event in the area, the Lake County Fair, on Saturday, Aug. 31.
The wine awards provide the public with a way to taste and judge a large number of wines from Lake County wineries, eventually comparing their choices to those of a professional judge's panel.
The professional judging took place in July, and the winners of both the professional judging and the People's Choice tasting will be revealed at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Lake County Fair.
With 22 varietals entered in the competition, the professional judges took several days to sort through each and select the top wines in a blind tasting competition.
A blind tasting competition means that the judges did not know which winery produced each wine, instead choosing their favorites based entirely by judging each delicious nectar against the other entries of that variety.
Attendees at the People's Choice Wine Awards will be able to taste the top wines in each variety, also in a blind tasting.
The attendees will record their favorite wines on a ballot. Once the tasting is over, the ballots will be tabulated. Attendees will then be able to find out which winery produced each wine, and how the people's choices compared to the professionals' choices.
The tasting and awards contest will be held in Academy Park, just inside the main gate entrance on Martin Street.
Tasting will be available from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m., with the winners announced at 8 p.m. Tickets for the People's Choice Wine Awards are available at http://peopleschoicewineawards.eventbrite.com/ and include admission to both the Lake County Fair and admission to the tasting event, along with a souvenir wine glass. The tickets cost $45 per person in advance.
Visit the Lake County Fair online at www.lakecountyfair.com .
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Lake County Big Read, a community literacy program, invites Lake County artists, writers and residents to participate in two upcoming gallery exhibits in October, representing themes and interpretations from this year’s ready selection, “The Joy Luck Club” by Amy Tan.
The Main Street Gallery in Lakeport, a program of the Lake County Art’s Council, will be hosting a vibrant First Friday event in October in connection to The Joy Luck Club.
Local visual artists and writers of all ages are encouraged to submit original work, with a connection to the novel, to the gallery for exhibition by Sept. 24, in time for judging.
Written work is limited to two pages, and art of any medium, should not exceed 11 inches by 14 inches. Pieces need to be framed and ready to hang.
Ceago Wines will be featured at the opening exhibit on Oct. 5 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., with musical entertainment by Lindy Day and Kayla. The event is free and open to the public.
The Joy Luck Club explores and develops connections between mothers and daughters.
To participate in this community exhibit, portraying personal history, submit a framed photograph of maternal lineage from your family for a special gallery proudly hosted by The Lake County Big Read lead agency, the Lake County Office of Education.
The exhibit will be on display at the LCOE office in Lakeport during October, with a gallery walk and reception on Wednesday, Oct. 3, from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Mother/daughter, sister/mother, mother/grandmother, aunt/grandmother, etc. are all options for you to contribute. Photos will be carefully displayed and returned.
The Big Read is a program of the National Foundation for the Arts, designed to restore reading to the center of American culture. Managed by Arts Midwest, Lake County has been awarded a competitive grant to support innovated reading programs in our community.
For more information, visit the Big Read/LCOE booths at the Lake County Fair, the Kelseyville Pear Festival, and the LCOE Web site at www.lake-coe.org . Stop by the Main Street Gallery for further art and writing contest details.
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The service of a search warrant by the Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force, along with several compliance checks in the same area resulted in seven arrests and the seizure of marijuana and several firearms last week.
Lt. Steve Brooks said that on Wednesday, Aug. 21, narcotics detectives secured a search warrant for a parcel of property located in the 17000 block of Road 16 N 19 in Upper Lake.
The private parcel is located in an area commonly known as Big Rock, which contains private parcels within the Mendocino National Forest, he said.
On Thursday, Aug. 22, narcotics detectives served the search warrant. Brooks said they also were assisted by Homeland Security Investigators, Forest Service Law Enforcement Officers and Lake County Code Enforcement.
When detectives entered the property they located and detained 29-year-old Wesley Kyle Ewbank of Upper Lake, Brooks said.
During the search detectives located two marijuana grows which contained approximately 200 plants, according to Brooks.
He said Ewbank was arrested for possession of marijuana for sales and the cultivation of marijuana. The unpermitted structure Ewbank was living in was red tagged for destruction.
Brooks said narcotics detectives also conducted several compliance checks in the same area. The marijuana grows were discovered earlier in the year while conducting overflight missions.
During the compliance checks detectives arrested Michaela Desirae Weishaar, 23, of Boring, Ore., for possession of marijuana for sales and marijuana cultivation; John Edward Lynn, 38, of Glendale, Ariz., for marijuana cultivation; Erik Michael Keegan, 37, of Woodland Hills for possession of marijuana for sales and marijuana cultivation; Victoria Ann Parisi, 28, of Upper Lake for possession of marijuana for sales and marijuana cultivation; Mark Anthony Leach, 38, of Shelter Cove for marijuana cultivation; and Heather Elaine Slankauskas, 25, of Upper Lake for marijuana cultivation, Brooks said.
Narcotics detectives located and eradicated a total of approximately 1,500 large marijuana plants during the compliance checks, Brooks said. They also seized several firearms from the grow sites, including an AK-47 rifle.
Lake County Code Enforcement red tagged numerous unpermitted structures that were being used as residences, Brooks said.
Brooks said all of the subjects taken into custody were transported to the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility and booked.
The Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force can be reached through its anonymous tip line at 707-263-3663.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Based on an intensive investigation dubbed Operation Oakland Abalone Syndicate, California game wardens arrested 13 suspects in Oakland and Sacramento for harvesting sport caught abalone and possession for commercial sale.
It is illegal to harvest wild abalone for commercial sale anywhere in California.
Suspects arrested were Chinh Quan Le, 60; Khoa Dang Nguyen, 40; Hung Ngoc Quoc Vo, 41; and Toi Van Nguyen, 48. All four men are from Oakland and all four had previous abalone poaching convictions.
In addition, wardens arrested Hai Van Ha, 43; Duoc Van Nguyen, 48; and Nhan Trong Le, 46, all also of Oakland, and Andy Phan, 47, of Fairfield and Charlie Le, 55, of Alameda.
In Sacramento officers arrested Dung Van Nguyen, 40; Hiep Ho, 46; Hung Van Le, 42; and Tho Than Phan, 59.
“Unless it is stopped, poaching will degrade California’s abalone population over time,” said CDFW’s Capt. David Bess. “It ultimately affects the honest, sport abalone harvesters who follow the laws.”
Based upon surveillance, game wardens allege the men conspired to profit from the sale of abalone with a black market network of buyers in the Bay Area and Sacramento.
Game wardens expressed appreciation for the honest abalone divers’ patience with abalone report card requirements and abalone checkpoints. Both were an integral part of the investigation.
The suspects face charges ranging from felony conspiracy to multiple poaching-related violations.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – With the Lake County Fair's parade set to take place on Thursday evening, the Lakeport Police Department issued an advisory regarding street closures.
Police said about 2,000 people are expected to attend the Lake County Fair Parade, which is the kickoff to the fair's opening.
The parade, which starts at 5:30 p.m., is expected to last approximately 30 minutes, however, police said street closures and traffic controls will begin at 5 p.m. and are not expected to be removed until 6:15 p.m.
The parade runs from the 800 block of N. Main Street, south to Martin Street and then west on Martin Street to the fairgrounds, police said.
Between 5 p.m. and 6:15 p.m., Main Street between S. Main Street and C Street, and N. Main Street, Ninth Street and Martin Street between S. Main Street and Estep Street will be closed to traffic for the parade, according to police.
Motorists are advised to use caution and watch for pedestrians when driving in the surrounding area and find alternate routes when possible.
Lakeport Police and Public Works staff will be on site to conduct traffic controls and provide for public safety.
The Lakeport Police Department can be reached at 707-263-5491.