Tehama District Fair shares its magic

Queens were crowned, loads of cotton candy and corndogs devoured, kids screamed on rides and a wooly lamb raced through crowds during this year's Tehama District Fair.

"I feel like I have been run over by a truck," said Mark Eidman, Tehama District Fair chief executive officer. "That means the fair was especially busy and went great."

The far concluded its four-day run Sunday night, and according to his preliminary numbers, Eidman said this year looks great.

"I think we drew more crowds this year than last year, and the food sales were up, the carnival sales were up and total attendance was great," he said.

Charging for parking also helped the fair come out ahead, Eidman said.

"As county fairs throughout the state come under budget restraints, every penny counts, and going back to charging for parking like we used to do made a difference so we can stay afloat," he said.

The fair's fun began Thursday with the grand opening ceremony and the crowning of the 2012 Miss Tehama County Monica Day and Tehama County Ambassador Ernesto Miles Leyva. First alternate is Krista Mae Lucier, 19 of Corning, and second alternate is 16-year-old Kayla McCoshum of Red Bluff.

Throughout the fair, the California Circuit Pro Rodeo Association brought in the crowds for its rodeos, as did the daily Street Dance, Safari Lion exhibit, livestock shows and arts and crafts exhibits.

Another daily draw, which is becoming more popular each year, was the Marketplace Wine Tasting.

Tony Turri, owner of Turri Ranch and Turri Farms in Flournoy, said their was a great turnout for the Turri Farms Steak Dinner.

On Saturday, 2012 Little Miss Tehama County Jordyn Armstrong of Red Bluff was crowned, as was First Alternate Kaley Scharovsky and Second Alternate Savannah Hopping.

A little unscheduled fun took place on Saturday when a lamb escaped its handler at the livestock stalls and raced into the crowds enjoying the midway games and carnival rides.

The wooly escapade ended with the help of several people in the crowd who cornered the critter and returned it to its grateful young owner.

All of the fun came to a close with the final Street Dance Sunday night, which offered a south-of-the-border "Fiesta Latina" flare.

"We are already busy getting ready for the fairground's next event, this weekend's Monster Trucks," Eidman said. "We never slow down."