Butte County Fair takes place this Thursday through Sunday!

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) – This year’s Butte County Fair gives a nod to the future while carrying on the fair time traditions. 

The Butte County Fair will take place Thursday, August 25 through Sunday, August 28 in Gridley. Hours Thursday 4-11 p.m., Friday 3-midnight, Saturday noon -midnight, Sunday noon-11 p.m. 

Looking to engage the future generation, the Competitive Stills department added opportunities for youth to get more involved and share their skills and hobbies, as well as working together with their families. 

One way this was done, was by adding is a Digital Media and Arts category to the Youth Division. This division was designed for those dabbling in creating digital works of art, such as Instructional and entertainment videos, and digital arts. 

Also, a Butte County Scene category was added to the Photography department and the Youth department was restructured to include the Grange Youth and 4-H programs.

The Fair has also added People’s Choice contests in many of its Competitive Stills and Exhibits. This allows attendees to vote for their favorite exhibit during the fair. The exhibits are in Expo Hall. Votes will be tallied on Sunday and the winners will receive a gift certificate from the department sponsors. 

“We strive to preserve and enrich the tradition of the Butte County Fair for future generations,” Butte County CEO Stephen Kenny stated. “We hope to continue to develop youth and expand involvement in our Fair.” 

The Fair has assembled a full line up of family entertainment all weekend long.

“We are excited for the great new line up of entertainment throughout the Fair,” Butte County Fair CEO Stephen Kenny stated. “All of the Fair traditions will be continued this year, including the Midway of Fun Carnival, Livestock and Competitive Stills, and the Demolition Derby.” 

Opening on Thursday, the day’s schedule includes the Miss Butte County competition, which will feature 3 Missette contestants, 4 Miss Teen contestants, and 3 Miss Butte County contestants. The competition starts at 6 p.m. on the Courtyard Stage. 

New to the entertainment lineup is Nashville Singer/Songwriter Hunter Jordan. Hunter Jordan discography includes the songs “Saturdays Are for the Boys,” “Throwin’ Shade,” and “Dirty Dancing.” Hunter Jordan will perform at 9:30 p.m. on the Courtyard Stage, Thursday. 

Friday’s schedule will not disappoint. Gates will open at 3 p.m. live music from California Dreaming, Steel Horse Band, and Valeria Hopkins. Plus, more than 70 Tuff Truck and Mud Bog drivers will compete in the Extreme Truck Madness at 7 p.m. in the Grandstand Arena. There will also be a Power Wheels Tuff Truck Competition for ages 3 to 8. Starting at 6:30 p.m. 

Saturday promises a full day of activities and Fair time traditions. The Junior Livestock Auction will start off the day at 10 a.m. Throughout the day, attendees will find the Strolling Balloon Man, Funnel Cake Contests, Big Wheel Races, and live entertainment from Reece Thompson, Pris Bros, The Hypnotist, Strung Nugget Gang and Legend.

The heart-pounding chaos of the Extreme Destruction Demolition Derby that the Butte County Fair is known for, begins at 7 p.m. Three classes of derby drives will get one shot to be the last car running to take home the first-place prize. Extreme Destruction will begin at 7 p.m., with a kickoff by the Power Wheels Derby at 6:30 p.m. all in the Grandstand Arena. The derby concludes with the very popular RV derby, you won’t want to miss out. 

New to perform at the Butte County Fair this is year, Outlaw Mariachi. Outlaw Mariachi is a New Age Rock Mariachi Band from Los Angeles, consisting of a seven-piece, mariachi/rock infused band, made up of trumpet, drums, and mariachi guitars, with a mix of western wear, mariachi sombreros and ZZ-Top-like beards. They perform a blend of rock, cumbias, pop, metal, hip hop classic rock and more. You can find Outlaw Mariachi on the Courtyard Stage at 8 and 10 p.m. 

Family Day or Dia de la Familia will wind out the weekend on Sunday. You will find performances from Emma and Will, California Dreaming, and Stringtown Road. With the days main entertainment being Grab Cierra De Ferria, featuring Los Infinitos, Banda Zirahuen, La Nueva Raza Obera and Jorge Medina in the Grandstand arena.