The Santa Cruz County Fair announces the 2023 Blue Ribbon Award winners, presented by the fair board and management to volunteers who believe in the Fair, love the Fair and go above and beyond to make the Fair a success.
This year’s Blue Ribbon Award winners are Loretta Estrada and Jody Belgard.
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Loretta Estrada
Loretta was appointed to the Fair Board in November 1988. She has been involved with the Agriculture Department, the California Cattlemen’s Association and she’s a major livestock supporter. She is a founding member of the Ag History Project and was instrumental in having The Rodgers House moved to the fairgrounds in 1998. She is still the chairperson to this day. Loretta is one of the founding chairpersons of The Crab Feed and still is on the committee after more than 20 years.
Every year, she helps with fundraising auction dinners for the Fairgrounds Foundation, including The Heritage Hall Dinner that bought in $16,000 last year. Loretta, along with Jody, brought back Fair favorites — the Diaper Derby and Ice Cream Social.
Loretta has cooked for the Volunteer Thank You Dinner for 35 years.
She’s someone who loves this Fair.
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Jody Belgard
Jody was appointed to the Fair board in October 2006. She is a member of The Rodgers House and Crab Feed Committees. She, along with Loretta, brought back Fair favorites — the Diaper Derby and Ice Cream Social.
Jody helps the Fairgrounds Foundation in many fundraising auction dinners, including The Heritage Hall Dinner that brings in thousands of dollars every year. She helps every year in the kitchen with the Volunteer Thank You Dinner.
Jody has spent months of her free time in the Fair office donating her time and accounting skills. At one point, more than a decade ago, when the office and grounds were running on a shoestring budget trying to pay bills … Jody put her home up for collateral until all bills were paid. Her dedication to the Fair is without question.
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The plaques they received are ordered through the Western Fairs Association.
More than 300 people attend the Volunteer Thank You Dinner at the county fairgrounds. • Photo Courtesy of Santa Cruz County Fair
Fair board members serve at the pleasure of the governor, and both Loretta and Jody lost their fair board seats in October 2022 after they voted not to fire then-CEO David Kegebein.
The Blue Ribbon Awards were given out at the Volunteer Thank You Dinner on Oct. 11. More than 300 people attended the dinner hosted by the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Foundation, enjoying BBQ chicken and scrumptious sides.
This is a thank you not only to Fair volunteers, but also to volunteers who work year-round to maintain the fairgrounds.
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Top Photo — From Left: Fair Manager Zeke Fraser, Jody Belgard, Loretta Estrada and Fair Board President Michael Pruger. • Photo Courtesy of Santa Cruz County Fair