Winner of the Western Fair Association’s
Prestigious Merrill Award!
The Tri-County Fair has won the fair industry’s most coveted award, The Merrill Award, given by the Western Fairs Association (WFA) highlighting the Fair’s leadership and commitment to community excellence.
The Fair’s Drive-In and Tailgate Entertainment Venue took home the prestigious Merrill Award during the annual WFA Convention. The Merrill Award is given to fairs that clearly demonstrate innovation, vision, creative management, excellence in marketing and commitment to community. Fairs are nominated and then the winners are selected by an executive committee.
Jen McGuire, CEO stated, “This is the Oscars of the Fair Industry. Bishop has never been nominated let alone brought home this award. It’s quite an honor. We competed against Oregon State Fair, The OC Event Center, just to name a few that had phenomenal programs.“
The Drive-In and Tailgate Venue was nominated for many reasons. One, it was built from recycled materials. Two, the price of a ticket helped many local businesses during a difficult time. The purchase of a ticket has helped our historic Bishop Theatre, local audio and sound company, local video company, local food vendors, local printers as we printed banners, local social media company, local website company, local trash company, local advertisers such as newspapers and radio stations. Plus, other nonprofits have held their events in the venue which allowed them to raise money to put back into the community.
The venue is a true grassroots community event which makes it special. It brought our community together during a dark time.
PLUS, the Fair also brought home the following awards in the Small Fairs Division:
1st and 2nd place – Virtual Livestock Show
1st and 2nd place – Drive In Entertainment
1st and 3rd place – Community Involvement
The above entries were submitted online with the attached pictures and detailed report representing
each category.
The Tri-County Fairgrounds would like to thank the following for assisting with the build or sponsoring of the venue: LA DWP, Inyo County, Inyo/Mono County Tobacco Prevention, City of Bishop, Laughing Parrot Productions, ES Entertainment, Holly Cavey, Bill’s Towing, High Country Lumber, Brown’s Salvage, Bishop Waste, Stelth Ulvang Band.
A special THANK YOU to all of patrons that purchased a ticket to an event. Your purchase helped many businesses. THANK YOU. We will be announcing a full entertainment line-up very soon.
TRI-COUNTY FAIRGROUNDS
AND EVENT CENTER
The Eastern Sierra Tri-County Fair is a true country fair that shows off all that Inyo, Mono and Alpine Counties have to offer. We boast a wide array of hand and homemade exhibits for all tastes and interests, interesting commercial and educational exhibits and tons of free entertainment all for the price of admission. For the more adventurous there are main arena events including concerts, traditional rodeo and the ever-popular destruction derby, not to mention a fantastic family friendly carnival! And don’t forget all the great events we host the rest of the year from Mule Days to Swap Meets and Car shows to Film Festivals, we’ve got something for everyone. Come check it all out!
COVID-19 ANNOUNCEMENT
The Tri-County Fairgrounds is doing everything we can for the safety of our our staff, vendors, promoters, and community. You may call the Fair Office (760) 873-3588 or email us () if you have any questions. We will keep you updated on future events as we monitor the situation. Stay safe! We are doing our part to keep our community safe. As per Governor Newsom’s Executive Order directing Californians to follow public health directives, we continue to closely monitor the evolving Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation and are committed to following the facts and recommendations provided by public health officials.
CELEBRATE WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY
Surrounded by the majestic beauty of the Eastern Sierra Mountains, Tri-County Fairgrounds offers an unforgettable setting for your weddings, quinceañeras and receptions. Celebrate with family and friends with a spectacular backdrop of scenic alpine peaks. The 6,000 square feet of space in the Heritage Arts Building and attached lawn area is perfect for events for up to 375 guests with striking mountain vistas. Our Charles Brown Auditorium is perfect for larger events, seating up to 900. With 4 buildings available to rent and 80 acres of outdoor space, the possibilities are endless.
FIND INSPIRATION AT YOUR NEXT MEETING
Host your next event at the Tri-County Fairgrounds! Let the natural beauty of the Eastern Sierras serve as inspiration during your next offsite, meeting, retreat or social event. We offer a variety of separate event sites, outside and indoor options and flexible space and seating configurations. Our venues including large ballrooms, flexible meetings spaces, break-out rooms, and outdoor areas. Endless outdoor adventure excursions, including fly-fishing to guided pack excursions take team building and bonding to the next level at your next corporate retreat. With plenty of local lodging accommodations Bishop Tri-County Fairgrounds is perfect for your next gathering.
Contact us at 760-873-3588 to reserve your date today.
