Summer 2018 Events: Nevada County Fair, Summer Nights, and Shakespeare Festival

Nevada County Fair
Held under the shade of tall pine trees in Grass Valley, the Nevada County Fair is held August 8-12. This year’s theme is “Bushels of Fun,” featuring a poster by Kathryn Wronski, whose artwork is featured regularly in our magazine. The fair is the perfect opportunity to listen to live music, eat delicious food from Treat Street, enjoy carnival rides and games, visit barns full of animals and see hundreds of exhibits.

Arena events feature the Flying U Extreme Rodeo (August 8), All-American Pulling Series (August 9), Monster Trucks and Tough Trucks (August 10-11), and the popular Destruction Derby (August 12). The Fair’s Community Involvement Day is July 30 at the Fairgrounds. NevadaCountyFair.com

Loomis Eggplant Festival
The 31st annual Loomis Eggplant Festival is October 6, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. More than 7000 visitors and 125 vendors are expected at this year’s festival. The morning begins with a pancake breakfast and continues with music, food, local beer and wine, cooking demonstrations, and arts and crafts.

This year, vendors and exhibits will be set up on Taylor Road between Oak Street and Horseshoe Bar Road, showcasing a new pedestrian friendly “streetscape” that honors Loomis’ past. LoomisChamber.com

Hope Valley 

Campfire Movie Nights
Sorensen’s Resort is debuting Movie Nights by the Campfire on August 26 and September 13. The Hope Valley resort’s guests can enjoy a movie by campfire light, including hot buttered popcorn. Sorensen’s also is offering a Lake Tahoe paint and sip workshop on Au- gust 16 and September 29. SorensensResort.com

Nevada City

July 11, 18 and 25 Summer Nights Nevada City’s landmark historic district is closed to motorized traffic and filled with arts, crafts, classic cars, food, drink and music. 6-9:30 p.m. NevadaCityChamber.com

July 28, Aug. 18 Movies Under the Pines
July 28: Karate Kid
Aug. 18: Best in Show
Pioneer Park, Nevada City at 8:30 p.m. or dusk. NevadaCityFilmFestival.com

Sept. 7-15 Nevada City Film Festival
Known as the “Sundance of the Sierra,” the festival has brought top independent and international films and filmmakers to Nevada County for the past 18 years. NevadaCityFilmFestival.com

Grass Valley

Sept. 21-23 Draft Horse Classic
The Classic has grown to become the premier draft horse show in the western United States, and it features six performances, along with entertainment. See majestic draft horses “up close.” NevadaCountyFair.com

Auburn

July-Sept. 2 Heritage Trail
During the summer, 22 Placer County museums open their doors free of charge on certain Saturdays. Examples include the Placer County Museum in Auburn on July 14 and the DeWitt History Museum in Auburn on August 31. Placer.ca.gov

Lake Tahoe

July-Aug. Valhalla Art, Music and Theater Festival
The festival is set against the scenic backdrop of Lake Tahoe and the Tallac Historic Site. ValhallaTahoe.com

July-Aug. Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival
Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival’s 46th season is headlined by Macbeth and Beehive–The ‘60s Musical at Incline Village. LakeTahoeShakespeare.com

July 8, 15, 22, 29, Aug. 5, 12, 19, 26 & Sept. 2 Concerts at Commons Beach
Summer concert beach series in Tahoe City on Sunday afternoons. ConcertsAtCommonsBeach.com

July 19-22 Wanderlust Yoga & Music Festival
A four-day retreat of yoga, music, speakers, artists and chefs at Squaw Valley Resort. Wanderlust.com

Penn Valley

July-Sept. 3 Gold Panning
Gold panning lessons and demonstrations at Bridgeport on weekends noon-2 p.m. SouthYubaRiverStatePark.org

Truckee

Aug. 10-11 Tahoe Concours d’Elegance
The 46th annual wooden boat show at historic Obexer’s Boat Company in Homewood. This year the show features one of the most popular marque classes, Original Tahoe Boats. LakeTahoeConcours.com

July-Aug. 23 Truckee Thursdays
Historic downtown Truckee is transformed into a street fair featuring local and regional artisans, food trucks, a beer garden and live music. TruckeeThursdays.com

July 14 Truckee Air Show
An air show with aerobatic pilots, warbird rides, aircraft displays, and World War II fighter pilots. TruckeeTahoeAirShow.com

Oct, 19-20 Historic Haunted Tour
Historic tales come to life in the annual walking tour. TruckeeHistoryTour.org

Yuba River Shuttle
A safe, fun and eco-friendly way to get to the South Yuba River this summer. The new Yuba River shuttle — a comfortable passenger bus — leaves from Nevada City. The bus also offers tours of local craft beer breweries. YubaBus.com