The Mother Lode Fairgrounds is currently serving as a Red Cross Evacuation Shelter for the Moc Fire, currently burning in Tuolumne and Mariposa Counties. Evacuees need to check in with the Red Cross in the Manzanita and Sierra Buildings. We also have RV spaces available in our campground.
Animal evacuees are being housed in our Livestock area under the supervision of Tuolumne County Animal Control staff.
After a special meeting this evening, the Mother Lode Fair Board of Directors made the heartbreaking decision to cancel the 2020 Mother Lode Fair. The Directors and Fair Staff had been hopeful that the current crisis would pass in time for us to open our gates on July 2 and show off the incredible line-up we had in store, but with no end in sight, the Board put public health and safety above our desire to host our annual fair.
Contingency plans have been put in place to continue with a virtual Junior Livestock Auction in order to support our youth exhibitors and provide them a marketplace to sell their projects. The Mother Lode Fair Junior Livestock Auction Committee and Tuolumne County Small Livestock Exhibitors Association will be working with Livestock Staff as we move forward with the virtual auction. Details of the proposed plan will be forthcoming.
The Mother Lode Fair Directors and Staff look forward to 2021 when we can all be together again. Once again, thank you to the community, sponsors, volunteers and others who have assisted the fair through many years. We will come back #Fairstrong.
Due to the cancellation of the mandatory preweigh for exhibitors with market swine, sheep and meat goats, exhibitors are now required to submit a copy of their bill of sale as well as a photo of them with their market animal(s). The photos and bill of sale must have the exhibitor’s name and club/chapter affiliation. These items can either be dropped in the mail slot at the Fair Office or emailed to Kim Helmbold, Livestock Superintendent, at livestock@mlfair.com. Deadline is Sunday, May 3rd. Please contact Kim if you need assistance or clarification on what is required.
Our Office may be closed, but the RV Park is Open. Availability is on a first come, first serve basis.
The Fairgrounds is still open, but we are following the recommendation of the CDC and restricting gatherings to less than 50 persons. The Mother Lode Fairgrounds Administration will be closing the Office to the public beginning Monday, March 16. Staff will be available via phone at 209-532-7428.
We apologize for any inconvenience.