Fall is in the air and that means that it’s time for the annual Draft Horse Classic at the Nevada County Fairgrounds in Grass Valley. This is the 27th year of the Classic in Nevada City featuring beautiful and strong draft horses, including Clydesdales, Percherons, Shires, and Belgians, parading in a number of different classes and challenges. From the Fairgrounds:
“The Classic spotlights a variety of horses, teams, rigs and performances; featuring everything from farm wagons, carriages, and driving competitions to dancing horses and racing mules. The stars of the show are the horses, and with more than 120 horses stables on the grounds, the Classic offers a unique chance to observe them in a multitude of settings.”
During the performance, Tommie Turvey, world-renowned equine entertainer will also perform. You can catch Tommie’s horses in Batman: The Dark Knight and his training was featured in Budweiser’s 2013 Superbowl Commercial.
The Fairground’s Harvest Festival will also accompany the Classic again this year. The Harvest Festival features many different vendors and food booths, art and artisans, and demonstrations from craftsmen such as farriers. The Harvest Festival, which also encompasses behind the scenes action at the Draft Horse Classic through barn tours, is an opportunity to get an intimate look at these large horse breeds, their tack, driving and pulling equipment, and meet and talk to the owners and trainers.
On Saturday, Bounty of the County will take place which is a pairing of local chefs with local produce and meats of Nevada producers (for more info, please visit www.nevadagcountygrown.org). Sunday will feature the third annual Classic BBQ Cook-Off from 1:30 to 4. SacHorse.com didn’t make it to the Cook-Off last year, but two years ago food was going fast so be sure to get there early.
The Classic began last night with one performance. There will be a performance this evening at 6:30 p.m. The remainder of the weekend’s performances are listed below.
Saturday, September 22 10:00 am
Saturday, September 22 6:30 pm
Sunday, September 23 10:00 am
Sunday, September 23 4:00 pm
Tickets range from $10 to $19 and a season pass is available for $80. For more information please visit the fair’s website by clicking here or call them at (530) 273-6217.