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Longtime Scotts Valley ranchers to lead Lake County Fair Parade
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Duane and Dorothy Furman are humble people who have gone about their business of raising prize-winning Angus cattle in Scotts Valley for more than 50 years.
They would never brag about their accomplishments, of which there are many. But on Thursday evening the Furmans will be honored as the grand marshals of the Lake County Fair Parade, leading the parade down Main Street and up Martin Street to cut the main gate ribbon, opening the event.
Each year the Lake County Fair Board of Directors selects an individual who has had a large and significant impact on Lake County to be the parade grand marshal.
The grand marshals lead the parade up Main Street in Lakeport on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. and, after arriving at the main gate on Martin Street, they cut the ribbon and declare the Lake County Fair open for another year.
This year the Furmans will ride in a 1955 Chevrolet convertible owned and driven by Bob Cramer of Kelseyville.
The parade starts at Natural High School in Lakeport, travels south on Main Street, and ends at the main gate to the fairgrounds with the ribbon cutting ceremony.
The parade occurs at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 29.
Upon arrival at the main gate, everyone who enters the parade with a float will receive free entry to the Fair.
The Furmans, both originally from the Martinez area, moved to Scotts Valley more than 50 years ago and began ranching on the former Stanley Ranch.
A traditional ranch family, Duane took care of a herd of Angus cattle and bailed hay, while Dorothy raised six children.
Today they have 11 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, many of them Lake County residents.
In addition to ranching, Duane has been the 4-H beef project leader for the Scotts Valley 4-H Club for more than 40 years, assisting more than 100 children through beef projects. And for 30 years, Duane was the livestock superintendent for the Lake County Fair while Dorothy acted at livestock secretary.
Together, in their quiet manner, they herded hundreds of 4-H and FFA exhibitors through the livestock shows and sales, planning the event, supervising the shows, and directing the Junior Livestock Auction that has raised millions of dollars for children to use on education, business projects and other activities.
“I've known the Furmans since I was a little kid, and it would be hard to find nicer people,” said neighbor Grant Lindeblad.
His daughter, Jenny Bingham, is currently the Fair's livestock superintendent. Of the Furmans she said, “Pretty much everything I know about working at the fair I learned from them. Dorothy hired me as a show clerk right out of high school, and the two of them taught me all about what they did for the Lake County Fair.”
The Lake County Fair's dates this year are Thursday, Aug. 29, through Sunday, Sept. 1. Lake County Fair is one“Find Great Treasures!”
Regular admission prices for the Lake County Fair are $10 for a regular ticket, $6 for a senior over age 60, and $6 for children ages 6 through 11.
Children under 6 years old are admitted free every day. Children through age 11 are admitted for $3 on Thursday, Aug. 29, only, for “Kid's Day.”
For more information visit www.lakecountyfair.com .