Mother Lode Fairgrounds

The 2019 Mother Lode Fair is coming July 4-7!!

Latest News

2019 Mother Lode Fair Poultry Show Cancelled

January 28, 2019

The Mother Lode Fair has received notification from the State Veterinarian regarding poultry shows at 2019 California fairs.  Due to a continuing outbreak of Virulent Newcastle Disease in the state, all fairs with opening dates prior to July 1 have been advised to cancel their poultry shows.  We have made the decision to cancel the 2019 Mother Lode Fair Poultry Show as well.

Even though the Mother Lode Fair opens after the deadline, our concern is for Public Safety as well as the health of our local commercial poultry flocks.  We have made this decision early enough to hopefully allow our poultry exhibitors to join another project of interest; exhibitors are encouraged to contact their 4-H Leaders or FFA Advisors for assistance.

The Fair is restructuring our Small Livestock Displays into species-specific classes and are in the process of organizing an Avian Bowl to allow our poultry exhibitors to participate at Fair.

On behalf of the Mother Lode Fair Board of Directors, I thank you in advance for your understanding.

Ken Alstott

CEO

2019 Junior Livestock Information

The following are the mandatory ownership dates for Junior Livestock Exhibitors at the 2019 Mother Lode Fair.

  • Market Beef (120 days):  March 6, 2019
  • Breeding Beef (60 days):  May 5, 2019
  • All Swine, Sheep and Goats (60 days):  May 5, 2019
  • All Poultry and Rabbits (30 days):  June 4, 2019

Every Junior Livestock Exhibitor will be required to complete the Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) certification in order to exhibit at the Mother Lode Fair.  YQCA certification must be completed by June 10, 2019.  Livestock entries will not be accepted without certification.

For more information, please contact Kim Helmbold, Livestock Superintendent, at livestock@mlfair.com.

2019 Outreach Program

Each year the Mother Lode Fair chooses five (5) organizations through its Outreach Program to hold events at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds for free or for a reduced rate. It does not include your supplies, propane, or use of the fairgrounds staff for labor.

Criteria to be considered for the program are:

  • Non-profit status
  • Funds will not be generated by the activity
  • The request must be made in writing each year

In 2019, your organization can apply to be part of the Mother Lode Fair’s “Outreach Program”.

If you are interested in being considered, please download and fill out the application form and return by January 15, 2019 to the Fair Office:

220 Southgate Drive
Sonora, California 95370

Late applications will not be accepted. Your application will be considered at the January meeting on January 23, 2019.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the fairgrounds office at 209-532-7428.

New Board Members Appointed

Esteban Arreguin, 58, of Columbia, has been appointed to the 29th District Agricultural Association, Mother Lode Fair Board of Directors. Arreguin has been a North American electric reliability corporation program manager for IHI Power Services Corporation since 2007. He was a senior plant engineer at the HB Fuller Company from 1994 to 2007. Arreguin is a member of the Foothill Pregnancy Center Board of Directors. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Arreguin is a Republican.

Ronald Hamilton, 51, of Tuolumne, has been appointed to the 29th District Agricultural Association, Mother Lode Fair Board of Directors. Hamilton has been principal at Gold Rush Charter School since 2012. He was a human relations instructor at Columbia College from 2009 to 2012 and workforce education coordinator at the Tuolumne County Behavioral Health Department from 2008 to 2012. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Hamilton is a Republican.

Dennis Hendricks, 68, of Tuolumne, has been appointed to the 29th District Agricultural Association, Mother Lode Fair Board of Directors. Hendricks was a senior damage claim representative at the Pacific Gas and Electric Company from 1968 to 2004. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Hendricks is a Democrat.

Margaret Lee, 73, of Sonora, has been reappointed to the 29th District Agriculture Association, Mother Lode Fair Board of Directors, where she has served since 2014. Lee was an aide at the University of California, Merced Purchasing Facilities Department from 2008 to 2013 and an executive director of the Area 12 Agency on Aging from 1993 to 2005. She was a senior consultant to the California State Assembly’s Select Committee on Child Abuse from 1989 to 1991 and served as chief of staff in the Office of California State Assemblymember Norman Waters from 1979 to 1991, in the Office of California State Assemblymember Larry Chimbole from 1977 to 1978 and in the Office of California State Assemblymember Pauline Davis from 1974 to 1976. Lee was an aide for the California State Senate Democratic Caucus and in the Office of California State Senator George Moscone from 1969 to 1973. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Lee is registered without party preference.