What is spring and summer without a classic old-time county fair (or several)? One of the most historic, most famous, and most fun of the array of fair offerings is the famous Calaveras County Fair & Jumping Frog Jubilee. Inspired by Mark Twain's The Famous Jumping Frog of Calaveras County, one of the annual highlights of the fair is the Jumping Frog Jubilee, where contestants vie for prizes and glory by, yes, jumping their frogs! Don't have one? The Fair will be happy to provide one for you to use. The frogs are treated quite humanely - kept in an air-conditioned area and limited in the amount of jumping they are allowed to do. Of course, if you don't want to actively participate, spectators always seem to leave the event with big smiles and a few laughs.
There is no better way to enjoy the fair with a glass or two of award-winning Calaveras wines. The wine booth and wine pavilion are open throughout the fair and will showcase award winning wines from this year's Calaveras County Fair Wine Competition, featuring nearly 300 wines from all the Sierra Foothill growing regions. A selection of wines will be available by the glass, and each day will feature a different winemaker of the day providing tastings and thoughtful discussions about the characteristics that make the Foothills in general and Calaveras, specifically, one of the most distinctive regions in the country.
One of the new highlights of the Fair Judging is the Sierra Zinfandel Showdown, featuring the best of the Zinfandels from throughout the Foothills, vying for the title of "Best Sierra Zin". Be sure to check out the list of winners, taste some of the wines, and see if your "scores" agree with those of the commercial division judges.
So take a step back in time and visit the Calaveras County Fair. The fair runs between May 13 and May 16, with specific event schedules available on the fair's website. I'll be there pouring wines at selected times during the fair. I hope to have an opportunity to meet you there.
If you have a comment about this - or any - of my postings, please contact me at paladin.mod@gmail.com. I promise to respond to all emails and will publish those responses that seem appropriate.
There is no better way to enjoy the fair with a glass or two of award-winning Calaveras wines. The wine booth and wine pavilion are open throughout the fair and will showcase award winning wines from this year's Calaveras County Fair Wine Competition, featuring nearly 300 wines from all the Sierra Foothill growing regions. A selection of wines will be available by the glass, and each day will feature a different winemaker of the day providing tastings and thoughtful discussions about the characteristics that make the Foothills in general and Calaveras, specifically, one of the most distinctive regions in the country.
One of the new highlights of the Fair Judging is the Sierra Zinfandel Showdown, featuring the best of the Zinfandels from throughout the Foothills, vying for the title of "Best Sierra Zin". Be sure to check out the list of winners, taste some of the wines, and see if your "scores" agree with those of the commercial division judges.
So take a step back in time and visit the Calaveras County Fair. The fair runs between May 13 and May 16, with specific event schedules available on the fair's website. I'll be there pouring wines at selected times during the fair. I hope to have an opportunity to meet you there.
If you have a comment about this - or any - of my postings, please contact me at paladin.mod@gmail.com. I promise to respond to all emails and will publish those responses that seem appropriate.