Pickering has also served as Deputy General Manager of the Orange County Fair in Costa Mesa and spent 12 years in city government including stints with the cities of Costa Mesa and Torrance. Pickering is expected to start work on December 28. He replaces Norb Bartosik, who retires at the end of the year.
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Agriculturalist of the Year
The Agriculturalist of the Year award is presented to an individual who has contributed extensively, in a professional capacity, to California’s agricultural industry. Award criteria stipulates this individual must have demonstrated leadership and clearly represented the industry over a number of years in one or more of the following areas: finance, government, production agriculture, education, labor, research, communications, trade and public service.

The California State Fair first began presenting this award in 1980. Most recent awardees include former United States Department of Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman (2003), Al Montna (2004), George Gomes (2005), John Harris (2006), Len Richardson (2007), Bill Pauli (2008), Ron Schuler (2009) and Bill Lyons, Jr. (2010), Robert “Bob” Gilbert (2011) and A.G. Kawamura (2012).

Download Nomination Form here!

Agricultural Progress Award
The Agricultural Progress Award was established in 1994 to recognize individuals or an organization that has contributed extensively over a number of years to the promotion, advancement and growth of the State Fair Agricultural Programs.

Most recent recipients include the following: Wendy Hall (2005), Richard Breitmeyer (2006), Leonard Bianchi (posthumous recognition) (2007), Robert Dowell, PhD (2007), University of California, Davis (2008); Solano County State Fair Exhibit Team (2009), Sacramento County U.C. Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Program (2010) and Blue Diamond Growers (2010).

Download Nomination Form here!

Nomination Forms and supporting documents for Agriculturalist of the Year Award and Agricultural Progress Award must be emailed, faxed, postmarked or hand delivered by Friday, January 25, 2013 to:
Tomme Jo Dale, Ag Programs Manager
California Exposition & State Fair
P.O. Box 15649, Sacramento, CA 95852
Phone: (916) 263-3109 phone – Fax (916) 263-7903
Email: tjdale@calexpo.com

Golden Bear Award
The Golden Bear Award acknowledges individuals and businesses that have furthered the State Fair’s mission of showcasing California’s economic and cultural diversity, and have rendered meritorious service and support to the California State Fair. This prestigious award was first presented in 1977. The recipient may be a private citizen or representative of any industry in the public or private sector.

Most recent winners include: The California Milk Advisory Board (2006), the California Future Farmers of America (FFA) & 4-H (2007), Sacramento Magazine (2008), Willie Pelote (2009), California Cattlemen’s Association (2010), Ralph Petty (2010),  Harry Moos – Friends of the California State Fair (2011) and Earl “Butch” Butler (2012).

Download Nomination Form here!

Nomination Forms and supporting documents for the Golden Bear Award must be mailed, faxed or emailed to the following contact by Friday, March 1, 2013 to:
Rick Pickering, General Manager/CEO
California Exposition & State Fair
Golden Bear Award Nomination
P.O. Box 15649, Sacramento, CA 95852
Fax:  (916) 263-3304
Email:  rpickering@calexpo.com

For more information and Agricultural Award Nomination Forms, please visit the State Fair website at www.bigfun.org. or call (916) 263-3109

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California Exposition and State Fair General Manager Norb Bartosik informed the Board of Directors today of his plans to retire at year’s end.

“This is a sad day for Cal Expo and the fair industry, said Chairman Rick Stacey.  Although I couldn’t be happier for Norb, I must confess I worked hard at convincing him to stay a while longer”.  Director Willie Pelote described Norb as a shrine who can’t be replaced.

Bartosik, 62, started at Cal Expo in 1994 after stints as the General Manager of the Orange County and Antelope Valley Fairs, and Du Quoin State Fair in Southern Illinois.   A self described “fair junkie” who started his fair management career in 1972, he served the industry in a variety of capacities and is a member of the Hall of Fame of the International Association of Fairs and Expositions and Western Fairs Association.

Stacey appointed a two person committee of the Board to work with Bartosik to find a qualified replacement for the Board to appoint as General Manager.

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The Plaza will be open to the general public at 8 a.m. and close at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, September 11, the eleventh anniversary of the attack on the United States. Parking at Cal Expo this day will be free as well as admission to the memorial.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Norb  Bartosik, General Manager
916-416-0133
Brian May, Deputy General Manager
916-416-1125

Sacramento – At the December 9 meeting of the Cal Expo Board of Directors, members unanimously approved a motion to exercise their option, under the current agreement with the California Harness Horsemen’s Association (CHHA), not to operate or manage harness racing at Cal Expo after August 23, 2012. Such action would not impact the Winter Spring Harness Meet at Cal Expo beginning December 30, 2011.

The Board indicated they believed a new operator with financial capacity is needed to put the harness industry back on solid footing. The Board directed staff to do everything possible to work with CHHA to find a new operator that allows harness racing to continue and successfully operate at Cal Expo.

The post Cal Expo Board Makes Decision Effecting Harness Racing Operations appeared first on Cal Expo.

We hope you enjoy all the family fun at the Harvest Festival this year!
November 18-20, 2011

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Saturday, November 12th 8am-2pm

For more info click here

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Beginning at 8 a.m., there will be an “Empty Shoes” memorial tribute of 2970 pairs of shoes on the island in front of the Main Gate at Cal Expo to represent on who lost their lives on that day.

The Cal Expo gates will open at 8 a.m. and the public will be invited to attend a program including a motorcycle tribute, prayers, choral group, para-jumper delivering the American flag, playing of the National Anthem, and memorial messages by Eric Hogue, Amy Bartlet, Tom McClintock and Michael Babich.

The California State Fair September 11 Memorial Plaza will be open to the general public at 10:30 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. on Sunday, September 11th, the tenth anniversary of the attack on the United States. Parking at Cal Expo this day will be free and admission to the memorial will be free.

The construction of the Cal Expo memorial began a year after the attack, when Cal Expo board member Larry Davis personally acquired and donated to Cal Expo 125,000 pounds of wreckage from the World Trade Center. A massive I-beam extracted from Ground Zero, which had been a horizontal support beam from the North Tower, was among the debris. Davis personally arranged for the wreckage to be shipped via rail to California.

Through private donations to the California State Fair Memorial Plaza Foundation a 501c (3), the exhibit was been expanded to include additional elements. Central to the exhibit is a beautiful fountain including a granite ball inscribed with all of the names of the September 11 victims. Additional features include a carillon bell tower, reflections of the World Trade Center, and individual memorials to Flight 77 which crashed into the Pentagon and Flight # 93 aborted in a field in Pennsylvania.

Download the Press Release for September 11

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Advance sale tickets to this event are now on sale (while the supply lasts) at all Dimple Records outlets. Tickets to this traditional celebration are $10. Designated Driver tickets will be available at the door for $5 the day of the event. Attendees must be 21 years of age and older.

Oktoberfest officials announced the event will again feature Volkz Brau a custom- brewed ale made specifically for the Cal Expo Oktoberfest. A variety of brews will be available for $5 each and, as an added incentive, all advance ticket holders will receive their first beer FREE.

Attendees can expect to enjoy authentic German food, contests, games and live music provided by the Die Alpen Band. Those who enjoy dancing can follow along with the Golden Gate Bavarian Club of San Francisco.

Guests should enter Cal Expo at the Main Gate at Exposition and Challenge Way. The outdoor event is scheduled to take place in The Promenade at the center of the fairgrounds and will begin at 2 pm and conclude at 7 pm.

Oktoberfest is a favorite fall activity in California – it’s a great way to celebrate the rich German culture and to be festive before the onset of winter. Plan to join us and enjoy some great beer!

Download the Press Release for Oktoberfest

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