I am pleased to inform you that the Caruthers District Fair will be back this fall in full swing. This past year plus has been difficult for everyone and now that the lockdowns have been lifted by our betters, we are once again free to live life as intended. This year’s 94 th Annual Caruthers Fair will run from Wednesday, September 29 through Saturday, October 2, 2021. After the prolonged restrictions on large gatherings, it will be great to get back to normal. We expect large crowds!

You may remember the theme to last year’s fair was “America Strong”. It seemed fitting at the time and still is. Our theme this year is “United We Stand”, which as a board we felt was fitting considering how fractured we seem to be as a state and nation. The Caruthers community, as with all the small towns in our valley and beyond, is fiercely patriotic. That is readily evident by the number of American flags hanging all over the fairgrounds. The Caruthers Lions Club purchased even more flags for display on the fairgrounds and in town because everyone knows that you cannot have too many American flags!

We are excited to have five young ladies competing for the title of Caruthers Fair Queen this year. They have been out selling tickets for the Grand Prize of a 2021 Ford Mustang. Please support them in their efforts – you never know– you could win the new car or any of the other great prizes. In many ways our young people have suffered the most from the lock-down restrictions. Their education has consisted largely of Zoom instruction, and when they were allowed back in the classroom, they were required to abide by mask and social distancing rules. Caruthers Unified School District is to be commended for the efforts and leadership they provided in getting these kids back in class and trying to minimize the impact these draconian rules have had on the educational process. Again, it is good to be back on normal footing. 

Our annual 3rd of July Fireworks show will take place at Caruthers High School at dusk, so plan on getting there early to spread a blanket on the field or park across the street and tailgate. Soccer field parking is $10 per car and while our Fireworks Show is officially free, we will pass around chicken buckets to help offset the cost of the show. You might remember we were one of the very few communities that held a show last year. The Fourth of July is a celebration of our nation’s founding and should always be celebrated, despite what our political leaders might think.

I am pleased to announce that Paul Rasmussen has been selected to be this year’s Grand Marshal. Paul is a past fair board member and his efforts and influence on the fair are everywhere. We are excited to have Paul represent us! 

Mark your calendars now and remind your friends to come out to the fair this fall. Our great food booths will be going full-bore. It has been quite some time since any of us have had the delicious pie the Fair is famous for. The livestock show will be great as usual, and the carnival is more than eager to provide a fun and safe ride experience. Our nightly entertainment promises to be better than ever, after all, they have had lots of extra time to practice this past year! We know the Elementary School displays in the Horticulture Building will be outstanding, and the kids will do wonderful things with this year’s theme. We have some special surprises in store for Wednesday on Coronation Night and on Friday and Saturday nights at the Motorcycle Races. You won’t want to miss any of these nights!

As always, the entrance to the fair is free, there is no alcohol allowed, and we will never be open on a Sunday. Come out to the safest, friendliest, cleanest, and might I add largest Free Gate Fair in the State of California. See you at the fair!

Gary Wenter

Board President