The Long Way
Plumas County
A historic black and white photograph showing a parade on a town street with vintage cars, a horse-drawn carriage, and spectators.
Plate I. Historic parade, Plumas Sierra County Fair. From plumassun.org
A pig mascot and a woman in costume ride on a float.
Plate II. Parade float, Plumas Sierra County Fair. From plumassun.org
A historic black and white photo shows people with an American flag outdoors during a groundbreaking.
Plate III. 1940 groundbreaking, Plumas Sierra County Fair. From plumassun.org
Historic black and white photograph showing vintage race cars on a dirt track.
Plate IV. Historic auto races, Plumas Sierra County Fair. From plumassun.org
A colorful carnival at dusk with tents and people.
Plate V. Carnival midway, Plumas Sierra County Fair. From plumassun.org
A young boy dressed as a cowboy plays with a hobby horse near hay bales.
Plate VI. Pee Wee Stampede, Plumas Sierra County Fair. From visitplumas.org

Plumas Sierra County Fair

Quincy, Plumas County, California. County fair; late July, annual.

Details

Map. Quincy, Plumas County, California. Larger map
Where
204 Fairgrounds Road, Quincy, CA 95971. Directions
When
Last held July 23–26, 2026; next year’s date not yet stated.
Fees
Single Membership $50, Family Membership $100, Business Sponsorship $500.
Hours
Officially opens at Noon on Thursday, July 23, 2026 and officially closes at 10:00 PM, Sunday, July 26, 2026.
Access
Dogs are not allowed on the fairgrounds; vehicles may only move on and off during assigned times.
Walk-in or reserve
Fair-time camping requires a new camping application at the Fair Office every year, mailed with $150.00 before the end of February.
Phone
(530) 283-6272
Website
plumas-sierracountyfair.net
Managed by
Plumas County (Fair Manager John Steffanic, retired April 18).
Established
1940.

The 62-acre fairground is the premier meeting place for conferences, weddings, birthdays, trade shows and special events, and can accommodate everything from concerts to ropings.

Notable Events

  1. 1859The first fair took place in Quincy, organized by the Plumas County Agricultural, Mechanical and Industrial Society. plumassun.org
  2. 1868The scheduled La Porte fair was canceled because of a fire that destroyed the town; the fair did not resume until 1880. plumassun.org
  3. 1880The fair resumed as the District 11 Fair after the legislature grouped Plumas, Lassen and Sierra counties in one agricultural district. plumassun.org
  4. 1889A livestock parade joined the fair, which also featured a football game between Mountain Maidu and Quincy residents. plumassun.org
  5. 1893The last District 11 Fair was held as the Panic of 1893 began. plumassun.org
  6. 1940The fair returned with state and county support, and Plumas County acquired Rockwell Park as the official permanent fairgrounds. plumassun.org
  7. 1940W.P. Cowan, J.P. Branley and Rudolph Ramelli broke ground on the first fair buildings at Rockwell Park. plumassun.org
  8. 1941Scott served as livestock superintendent and took over announcing the rodeo when the announcer quit. plumassun.org
  9. 1942The fair paused during the war years. plumassun.org
  10. 1945The Plumas County Fair Parade began its long run on Quincy's Main Street. quincychamber.com
  11. 1949Scott was officially appointed full-time manager and held the position until 1974. plumassun.org
  12. 1980Barbara Mandrell, Alabama, Helen Reddy, Reba McEntire and Johnny Cash were among the major acts that played the fair. plumassun.org
  13. 1991The six-foot chipmunk Chipper replaced Plumas Pete and first appeared at the annual community picnic that spring. plumassun.org
  14. 1996Sierra County officially added its name, formalizing and acknowledging its residents' existing involvement. plumassun.org
  15. John Steffanic retired after 17 years and 9 days as fair manager while planning to remain involved in other capacities. plumas-sierracountyfair.net

People

  • John Steffanic, Fair Manager of the Plumas Sierra County Fairgrounds (17 years and 9 days as manager; involved since the mid-70's).
  • J.P. Branley, helped break ground on the first Rockwell Park fair buildings (1940).
  • Rudolph Ramelli, supervisor and fair director who helped break ground on the first Rockwell Park fair buildings (1940).
  • Tulsa St. Elmo Scott, first secretary manager, local rancher and longest-serving fair manager in the state (1949-1974).
  • W.P. Cowan, helped break ground on the first Rockwell Park fair buildings (1940).

Sources

  1. plumas-sierracountyfair.net
  2. plumas-sierracountyfair.net/events--calendar.html
  3. plumas-sierracountyfair.net/contact-us.html
  4. plumas-sierracountyfair.net/fair-camping.html
  5. plumas-sierracountyfair.net/facilities.html
  6. plumas-sierracountyfair.net/uploads/1/9/2/9/1929412/2026_master_exhibit_guide_-_intro_rules_calendar.pdf
  7. plumassun.org/2025/07/25/plumas-past-sunshine-and-summertime
  8. quincychamber.com/parade
  9. plumas-sierracountyfair.net/pscf-foundation.html