Gold For The Gold Country

Sacramento, CA – Tuolumne and Calaveras brought home awards from the California State Fair at Cal Expo in Sacramento.

Executive Director of Tuolumne County Visitors Bureau, Nanci Sikes, says, “I am happy to report that Tuolumne County was awarded two prestigious ribbons for our 2012 Exhibit.”

They earned the Gold Ribbon for excellence in design, construction, and several other components. Costumes were encouraged and Marketing Manager Sandy Gordon was dressed as a “fortune Teller” Holding a crystal ball as she walked the judges through the exhibit. Sandy used the crystal ball to “look into the future and see WHERE in Tuolumne County the judges and fair-goers were likely to visit!

The second award was a special ribbon for “Best Visitor Experience.” All of Tuolumne County’s attractions, events and outdoor adventures are part of a “carnival of Fun” which featured a “Fun House” and other buildings with multiple hands-on activities.

For the fourth consecutive year, Calaveras County has taken home a gold ribbon for its exhibit at the California State Fair that promotes tourism to the area. Playing off of the State Fair’s 2012 theme, “The Fun That Moves You,” the Calaveras Visitor’s Bureau (CVB) decided to focus this year’s display on, “Whatever Floats Your Boat.”

The exhibit features a large boat aptly named, “Calaveras Dreamin,'” where potential visitors can hop aboard and try their hand at fishing in one of the area’s lakes-complete with real water (but faux fish). Also appearing in the booth is a video that highlights the actual lakes of Calaveras and a fishing lure display created by CVB Member, Glory Hole Sports. The display isn’t limited to waters sports though and also shows off giant trees for Big Trees State Park, Calaveras’ award-winning wines, and other agricultural products found in Calaveras.

According to Lisa Mayo, Executive Director of the Calaveras Visitors Bureau, “We literally started brainstorming for the following year while we were taking down last year’s booth.”

Both Visitors Bureaus thanked the many volunteers and their sponsors.