Plumas County California Fair Schedule

Introduction

The Plumas County California Fair Schedule for 2026–2027 centers on the annual Plumas-Sierra County Fair, held in Quincy, the county seat of Plumas County. Quincy sits in the American Valley of northeastern California, surrounded by the forests, mountains, valleys, ranches, and small communities that give the county its distinct rural character. The fair reflects that setting through livestock exhibitions, agricultural and horticultural displays, horse shows, youth programs, arts, home-produced foods, crafts, community entertainment, a carnival, and special events.

For 2026, the Plumas-Sierra County Fair is confirmed for Thursday, July 23 through Sunday, July 26, 2026, at the Plumas-Sierra County Fairgrounds at 204 Fairgrounds Road, Quincy, California 95971. The 2026 program includes a particularly broad schedule of livestock and horse activities, 4-H and FFA competitions, still exhibits, carnival rides, a downtown parade, motorcycle racing, and the Junior Livestock Auction. The 2027 dates and detailed program should be confirmed when the next official exhibit guide and fair calendar are released.

Fair Overview and Fast Facts

The Plumas-Sierra County Fair serves both Plumas and neighboring Sierra County communities, which is reflected in the fair’s name and its regional participation. The event takes place at the permanent fairgrounds in Quincy rather than in one of the county’s larger urban centers, giving the fair a distinctly local and agricultural atmosphere.

The 2026 fair officially opens at noon each day. On Thursday, July 23, it closes at 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday continue until midnight; and Sunday closes at 10 p.m. The carnival is scheduled to open at 2 p.m. each day. Exhibit buildings generally operate during the afternoon and evening, although individual buildings and competitions can have their own schedules.

Thursday, July 23 is designated Senior and Kids Day, with free admission for visitors age 62 and older and children age 12 and under. The 2026 schedule also includes a special senior luncheon. Admission arrangements can vary for particular attractions and motorsport events, so visitors should check the current fair information before attending.

History and Origins

The Plumas-Sierra County Fair is deeply connected to the agricultural and community history of the northern Sierra region. The modern Plumas County Fair has roots extending back decades, and the fairgrounds have developed into a long-standing gathering place for residents of Quincy and communities throughout Plumas and Sierra counties.

The fair’s identity has traditionally been based on community participation rather than simply entertainment. Residents can bring something they have made, grown, raised, photographed, cooked, preserved, sewn, painted, or otherwise created and enter it for judging. That approach helps explain why the event continues to include agricultural exhibits, home arts, floriculture, livestock, youth projects, and community displays alongside its carnival and entertainment program.

Quincy’s location in the American Valley also shapes the fair’s character. Plumas County encompasses mountain valleys, forested areas, ranchland, and communities including Quincy, Portola, Chester, Greenville, and others. The fair provides a central regional event where these communities can display local skills, agricultural products, animals, crafts, and traditions.

Readers comparing Northern California fair traditions can use the Placer County California Fair Schedule alongside the Plumas County California Fair Schedule to see how two neighboring Sierra-region communities celebrate their agricultural heritage. Placer County’s fair in Roseville combines livestock competitions, 4-H and FFA programs, agricultural exhibits, competitive arts, entertainment, and the amenities of a larger event center, while the Plumas County California Fair Schedule highlights the mountain-community character of Quincy through livestock and horse shows, youth programs, horticulture, home arts, community exhibits, carnival attractions, and regional traditions. Together, the two schedules show how California county fairs reflect the distinct geography, agriculture, and community life of the Sierra and surrounding foothills.

Agricultural Competitions and Livestock Shows

Agriculture at the Plumas-Sierra County Fair extends beyond a general farm display. The 2026 program includes livestock divisions for cattle, sheep, goats, swine, poultry, rabbits, cavies, and other project animals, with both youth and open competition represented in the exhibit program. Livestock exhibitors follow specific entry, health, identification, housing, weighing, judging, and release requirements.

The 2026 livestock calendar begins well before opening day. Large livestock receiving begins Monday, July 20, while swine, poultry, rabbits, beef, sheep, goats, and breeding animals have designated check-in and weighing periods on Tuesday. The livestock schedule continues through the fair with species-specific shows and showmanship competitions.

Agricultural and horticultural exhibits are also important parts of the fair. Participants can enter fresh produce, plants, flowers, arrangements, family or organizational gardens, and other agricultural products. The exhibit program includes categories designed to recognize both serious exhibitors and community members who simply want to share something they have grown or produced.

Fair Schedule Structure

The 2026 schedule begins before the public opening because exhibitors must complete receiving and judging procedures in advance. Livestock entries are due by the stated June deadline, while most other competitive entries have a later July deadline. Different departments have separate receiving dates, making the official exhibit guide important for anyone planning to compete.

Thursday, July 23 includes 4-H and FFA sheep and goat activities, a trail horse show, horticulture and agriculture judging, floriculture competitions, family and organizational gardens, the official noon opening, and the opening of the carnival at 2 p.m. The evening schedule includes an open western horse show.

Friday, July 24 features the 4-H/FFA beef show, novice open horse competition, the 4-H dog showmanship and obedience program, a hog calling contest, gymkhana, and the Ladies and Gentlemen’s Lead event. The fair and carnival remain open later on Friday, with the fair scheduled to close at midnight.

Saturday, July 25 brings ranch versatility and horse activities, large- and small-animal Round Robin judging, floriculture and table-setting competitions, and the traditional parade through downtown Quincy at 10 a.m. Motorcycle racing is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the grandstands, providing one of the major evening attractions.

Sunday, July 26 includes the Plumas-Sierra County Junior Livestock Auction at 9 a.m., church services on the West Lawn, continued fair and carnival activity, beef exhibit release, livestock release procedures, and the beginning of exhibit teardown later in the day.

Entertainment, Rides, and Midway

The carnival is a major part of the fair experience and is scheduled to operate each day of the 2026 event. Unlike a fair that relies exclusively on rides, however, the Plumas-Sierra event combines its midway with agricultural competitions, horse shows, youth programs, community exhibits, and local traditions.

The 2026 program also includes entertainment and special attractions alongside the carnival. Visitors can move between exhibit buildings, livestock areas, horse events, food vendors, community displays, and evening activities rather than experiencing the fair as a single entertainment venue.

Carnival ride tickets and admission are separate considerations. The fair has historically offered advance unlimited-ride options, but prices and available packages can change from year to year. Visitors should use the current year’s information when planning their ride budget.

Open Class and Amateur Competitions

The fair’s open competition program gives residents an opportunity to display skills outside the livestock arena. The 2026 exhibit guide includes departments covering arts and crafts, photography, clothing and textiles, quilts and fibers, preserved foods, home brew and wine, honey, baked goods and confections, home crafts, floriculture, horticulture, and agriculture.

These competitions are especially representative of Plumas County’s community-oriented fair tradition because participation is not limited to professional producers. A gardener may enter vegetables or flowers, a photographer may submit images, a baker may enter confections, and a craftsperson may compete in an appropriate home arts division.

Entry deadlines differ between departments. Participants should read the current exhibit guide carefully because the deadline for the entry form may be earlier than the date when the physical exhibit is delivered to the fairgrounds.

Demolition Derby, Tractor Pulls, and Motorsport Events

Motorsports have a place in the Plumas-Sierra County Fair program, although the event is not organized primarily around a traditional demolition derby or tractor pull. The 2026 schedule specifically lists motorcycle racing on Saturday evening in the grandstands, continuing the recent emphasis on motorcycle competition as a major attraction.

The fair also maintains a strong horse-show program, with trail, western, novice, gymkhana, ranch versatility, and other equestrian activities scheduled around the main fair dates. These events are particularly compatible with the ranching and rural traditions of the region.

Because motorsport programming can change between annual fairs, visitors should not assume that a demolition derby, tractor pull, or auto race will automatically appear in every year’s schedule. The current annual calendar is the best guide to the events actually planned.

4-H and FFA Youth Programs

Youth agricultural education is one of the central components of the Plumas-Sierra County Fair. The 2026 program includes extensive 4-H and FFA livestock competitions, as well as still exhibits, photography, arts and crafts, woodworking, agricultural mechanics, feature and poster exhibits, record books, and other youth projects.

The livestock program gives young exhibitors experience in animal care, preparation, presentation, showmanship, and responsibility. Beef, sheep, goats, swine, poultry, rabbits, cavies, dogs, and horse activities all provide opportunities for youth participation in different areas.

The Junior Livestock Auction is an important culmination of the livestock program. In 2026, the auction is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Sunday, July 26, with a buyer’s breakfast beginning at 7:30 a.m. The auction connects youth exhibitors with buyers and provides an important community and agricultural component to the final day of the fair.

Fairgrounds Facilities and Layout

The Plumas-Sierra County Fairgrounds are located at 204 Fairgrounds Road in Quincy. The grounds contain facilities for livestock, horse shows, agricultural displays, arts and crafts, community activities, carnival operations, and grandstand events.

The 2026 livestock materials identify dedicated areas such as the beef, swine, and goat barns, while the schedule references the SPI Pavilion Show Ring, Jr. Ag Barn, Tulsa Building, Art Barn, Floriculture Building, Horse Arena, grandstands, and West Lawn. These different facilities allow several departments to operate simultaneously.

The grounds are particularly significant because they function as more than a four-day fair site. Fairgrounds activities, horse shows, community events, agricultural programs, and other regional gatherings use the property at different times of the year.

Getting There: Directions and Logistics

Quincy is located along California State Route 70 in Plumas County. Visitors approaching from the Reno area generally use U.S. 395 and connect with Highway 70 near Hallelujah Junction before continuing west toward Quincy. From the Chico and Oroville direction, Highway 70 provides the primary approach into Quincy.

For fair visitors arriving for the day, the fair’s published directions direct drivers toward Fairgrounds Road and the main gate, followed by the designated day-parking area. Overnight livestock exhibitors and horse participants may use different access arrangements, including the route toward Quincy Junction Road and Lee Road for the horse and barn areas.

Because livestock traffic, exhibitors, campers, and ordinary fair visitors can use different entrances or parking areas, drivers should follow the event-day signs and instructions rather than assuming every gate is intended for general public access.

Volunteer and Vendor Opportunities

The fair depends heavily on community participation. Volunteers can assist with building monitoring, guest assistance, exhibits, agricultural activities, livestock-related work, and other operational needs. Volunteering can be especially valuable at a smaller regional fair because individual community members can have a visible effect on how smoothly the event operates.

Commercial and food vendors are also part of the fair environment. Businesses interested in participating should contact fair management early and review the requirements for space, food service, insurance, health regulations, electrical needs, and other applicable conditions. Vendor availability and application procedures can change from one fair year to another.

Economic and Community Impact

The Plumas-Sierra County Fair contributes to the local economy by bringing visitors into Quincy and creating demand for food, lodging, fuel, retail purchases, carnival services, vendor operations, and other local activities. The impact extends beyond ticket sales because the fair provides a concentrated opportunity for regional organizations and businesses to interact with residents.

Its community value is equally important. The fair connects generations through livestock projects, horse shows, crafts, gardens, cooking, music, youth competitions, and long-running traditions such as the downtown parade. For a rural mountain county with widely separated communities, an annual gathering of this scale provides an important shared regional occasion.

The fair also gives local residents a public setting in which to demonstrate what the region produces and values. Livestock, garden produce, flowers, quilts, preserved foods, artwork, photography, and youth projects collectively create a portrait of everyday life in the Plumas-Sierra area.

Comparing Plumas County Fair to Nearby Fairs

The Plumas-Sierra County Fair differs from larger California county fairs because its identity is closely tied to the small communities and mountain environment of northeastern California. Its Quincy location, extensive horse program, livestock competitions, community exhibits, and regional participation give it a more intimate character than the large urban fairs found elsewhere in the state.

The comparison is also useful geographically. A visitor moving through the northern Sierra can encounter very different fair traditions depending on whether the event is centered in a metropolitan county, an agricultural valley, or a mountain community. Plumas County’s fair places particular emphasis on participation, livestock, equestrian activities, home arts, agriculture, and local traditions.

The event’s combination of traditional exhibits and newer entertainment also allows it to evolve without losing its rural identity. Motorcycle racing and carnival attractions sit alongside 4-H livestock, gardening, quilts, flowers, horse shows, and community displays.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the dates and hours of the Plumas County Fair?
The 2026 Plumas-Sierra County Fair is scheduled for July 23–26, 2026. It opens at noon each day. Thursday and Sunday close at 10 p.m., while Friday and Saturday close at midnight. The carnival is scheduled to open at 2 p.m. each day. The 2027 dates and hours should be confirmed when the new schedule is released.

Where is the Plumas County Fair held?
The fair is held at the Plumas-Sierra County Fairgrounds at 204 Fairgrounds Road, Quincy, California 95971.

How much does it cost to attend the Plumas County Fair?
Admission policies vary by year. In 2026, Thursday is Senior and Kids Day, with free admission for visitors age 62 and older and children age 12 and under. Other admission prices and special-event charges should be checked against the current year’s fair information.

Is there free parking at the Plumas County Fair?
Parking arrangements can vary according to the fairgrounds and event operations. Visitors should follow the designated day-parking signs and instructions when entering Quincy and the fairgrounds.

Can I bring my own food and drinks into the Plumas County Fair?
Visitors should follow the current fairgrounds rules concerning outside food, beverages, coolers, alcohol, and other restricted items. The fair itself provides food vendors and concessions.

How do I enter an item in competition at the Plumas County Fair?
Participants should obtain the annual exhibit guide, select the appropriate department and class, complete the required entry form, and submit it by the department’s deadline. Physical exhibits are then delivered during the receiving period specified in the guide.

Is the Plumas County Fair appropriate for young children?
Yes. The fair has children’s entertainment, carnival rides, youth exhibits, livestock, horse activities, and other family-oriented attractions. Children also receive free admission on the designated Senior and Kids Day in 2026 if they are 12 or younger.

Are pets allowed at the Plumas County Fair?
Visitors should not assume that ordinary pets are permitted throughout the fairgrounds. Animal-access rules can differ for service animals, livestock exhibitors, show animals, and general visitors, so current fair rules should be checked before bringing an animal.

Does the Plumas County Fair have a demolition derby?
A demolition derby is not a defining event in the confirmed 2026 schedule. Motorcycle racing is scheduled for Saturday evening, while the fair also has an extensive horse-show program.

Who organizes the Plumas County Fair?
The event is operated through the Plumas-Sierra County Fair organization and its fairgrounds management, with participation from exhibitors, youth organizations, volunteers, community groups, vendors, and regional agricultural participants.

Is there camping available at the Plumas County Fair fairgrounds?
The 2026 schedule includes designated arrival and release periods for campers, indicating camping arrangements associated with fair operations. Availability, eligibility, fees, and locations should be confirmed with fair management because camping is not necessarily the same as general public campground accommodation.

What happens if the fair is cancelled due to weather?
Weather, wildfire smoke, hazardous road conditions, or other emergencies can affect outdoor events in the northern Sierra. If a cancellation or schedule modification becomes necessary, visitors and exhibitors should rely on the fair’s official announcements for the current status and any revised arrangements.