Deadly Bird Disease Cancels Calaveras Fair’s Poultry Show

Angels Camp, CA — Although the deadly bird disease has not spread to the Mother Lode, Calaveras County Fair officials are not taking any chances especially with spring coming – meaning birds will be migrating.

The word came down from the State of California’s Veterinarian Doctor Annette Jones, who recently recommending that all poultry shows from now until July 1 be cancelled, according to Calaveras CEO and Fair Manager Laurie Giannini. This is a result of the Newcastle disease outbreak in some areas of the state, most recently in the Los Angeles area as shown on the map below.

Newcastle is a contagious and fatal viral disease affecting the respiratory, nervous and digestive systems of birds and poultry.  Noting that the cancellation will be impacting many kids, Giannini hopes this early notice will give enough time for exhibitors to join other fair projects.  To help with the switch, she is encouraging farming leaders to assist exhibitors in meeting all the attendance requirements.

In an email sent out to exhibitors regarding the poultry show cancellation, Giannini expressed, “This is very unfortunate but it is our hope that this can be a learning experience for our young agriculturalist. On behalf of the [Fair] board of directors I thank you advance in assisting our kids to have the best experience possible.”

The Poultry Barn will not sit empty during this year’s fair, however, as Giannini reveals that they are in the process of creating some additional competitions targeted at mini-members. She details that by entering one of the competitions listed below kids will be eligible for exhibitor prices, which includes carnival passes. Further information on these special contests will be released next week, according to Giannini.

Special poultry contests:

• Display Boards
• Decorated eggs
• Lego Chickens
• Paper Mache Chickens

The 2019 Calaveras County Fair & Jumping Frog Jubilee runs May 16-19. This year’s theme is “Be A Kid Again!” and the new logo was created by Zac Calbert from Sonora. He also designed last year’s art work. A picture of the logo is in the image box.