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The Casillas family of Penn Valley has been named Family of the Year by the Nevada County Fair Board of Directors.
“We are very excited to be this year's Fair family,” Dan Casillas said. “It seems a great way to end our children's 15-year Nevada County showing career.”
Dan and Beth Casillas have been active in the fair and youth agriculture programs since they moved to Nevada County in 1995. They have served as leaders for Cool Hollow 4H, where Dan Casillas served as the beef leader, and Beth Casillas volunteered at the fair's 4H food booth and the Cattlewomen's Red Barn.
They are also supporters of the annual Junior Livestock Auction.
When not volunteering or working on youth projects, Dan Casillas runs his Casillas Cattle Service. Beth Casillas works as a legal secretary for the Placer County District Attorney.
Their children, Emmalee and Manuel, also have been actively involved in the fair for many years. Both began exhibiting animals at the age of 9 and entered still exhibits before that.
Emmalee showed steers and breeding cattle in both 4H and FFA, in addition to showing commercial breeding hogs for four years as a side project.
Manuel began exhibiting chickens as a pee-wee 4H member, then graduated to steers and breeding cattle. The 2010 Fair will be his last year exhibiting a steer.
Emmalee and Manuel also participated in the fair's Ag Mechanics competition and auction as Bear River FFA members.
Both of the Casillas children have pursued agricultural education. Emmalee, now 22, recently graduated from California State University, Fresno, with a degree in agriculture education. She is attending graduate school at Fresno State to obtain her teaching credential.
Manuel, 18, recently completed the welding program at Butte College. He is continuing his education at Sierra College and will transfer to Fresno State.
“Year after year, the Casillas family dedicates their time to the Fair,” said Kim Rounds, who nominated the family. “Their sincere kindness, love for the fair, and honest respect for what it does for the families and children of our community is evident through their actions and attitudes.”
“Whether it is helping kids, fair officials, or helping out at the livestock auction, the Casillas family is always willing and able to do whatever it takes to make the fair a great experience for everyone,” said Tasha Volheim, who also nominated the family.
The Casillas Family will be honored at opening ceremonies Aug. 11 and receive free admission, parking, carnival rides and admission to all five nights of arena events. Shaffers Originals of Grass Valley will create a family portrait to commemorate the family's selection as the Fair's Family of the Year.
For more information about the Nevada County Fair, which runs Aug. 11-15, visit www.NevadaCountyFair.com or call (530) 273-6217.
“We are very excited to be this year's Fair family,” Dan Casillas said. “It seems a great way to end our children's 15-year Nevada County showing career.”
Dan and Beth Casillas have been active in the fair and youth agriculture programs since they moved to Nevada County in 1995. They have served as leaders for Cool Hollow 4H, where Dan Casillas served as the beef leader, and Beth Casillas volunteered at the fair's 4H food booth and the Cattlewomen's Red Barn.
They are also supporters of the annual Junior Livestock Auction.
When not volunteering or working on youth projects, Dan Casillas runs his Casillas Cattle Service. Beth Casillas works as a legal secretary for the Placer County District Attorney.
Their children, Emmalee and Manuel, also have been actively involved in the fair for many years. Both began exhibiting animals at the age of 9 and entered still exhibits before that.
Emmalee showed steers and breeding cattle in both 4H and FFA, in addition to showing commercial breeding hogs for four years as a side project.
Manuel began exhibiting chickens as a pee-wee 4H member, then graduated to steers and breeding cattle. The 2010 Fair will be his last year exhibiting a steer.
Emmalee and Manuel also participated in the fair's Ag Mechanics competition and auction as Bear River FFA members.
Both of the Casillas children have pursued agricultural education. Emmalee, now 22, recently graduated from California State University, Fresno, with a degree in agriculture education. She is attending graduate school at Fresno State to obtain her teaching credential.
Manuel, 18, recently completed the welding program at Butte College. He is continuing his education at Sierra College and will transfer to Fresno State.
“Year after year, the Casillas family dedicates their time to the Fair,” said Kim Rounds, who nominated the family. “Their sincere kindness, love for the fair, and honest respect for what it does for the families and children of our community is evident through their actions and attitudes.”
“Whether it is helping kids, fair officials, or helping out at the livestock auction, the Casillas family is always willing and able to do whatever it takes to make the fair a great experience for everyone,” said Tasha Volheim, who also nominated the family.
The Casillas Family will be honored at opening ceremonies Aug. 11 and receive free admission, parking, carnival rides and admission to all five nights of arena events. Shaffers Originals of Grass Valley will create a family portrait to commemorate the family's selection as the Fair's Family of the Year.
For more information about the Nevada County Fair, which runs Aug. 11-15, visit www.NevadaCountyFair.com or call (530) 273-6217.
