Harry Sampson & Larry Brown Awarded Golden Pass

10^th District Agricultural Association/Siskiyou Golden Fairgrounds Press Release

YREKA- The 10^th District Agricultural Association Board of Directors is happy to announce a Lifetime Pass will be presented to Harry Sampson of Gazelle and Larry Brown of Greenview during opening ceremonies at the 2024 Siskiyou Golden Fair. As the agriculture education team at Yreka High School for 25 years, Harry 32 years and Larry 25 years, the board of directors were unanimous in the decision that they should receive the honor together. 

Harry the son of Harry and Sue Sampson of Yreka, grew up showing sheep at the Siskiyou Golden Fair with his brothers Tom and Dan. Here we are 50 years later, honoring Harry for dedicating his life to agriculture, the students he taught, the Siskiyou Golden Fairground and his family. Harry is married to Jeannine and they raised two children Jessica and Brian, the third generation of Sampsons to show at our fair.  Along with a 36-year teaching career, Harry and Jeannine have an elite sheep operation in Gazelle. There are many reminders of Harry’s support on the fairgrounds all built in the YHS shop; the Cullen Bros utility trailer, the swine holding pens, the fair information booth, the metal art on the office dedicated to Ole’ Nugget and much more. 

Larry Brown was the perfect addition to the YHS staff adding his expertise as a landscape contractor and horticulturalist to the classroom. It is a pleasure to honor Larry for his service, dedication and time committed to making our community a better place. Larry is a graduate of UC Berkley and is married to Leanne, they have two children Bryce and Vanessa and an entire family of agriculturalists that support the fair. Larry too has reminders of support at the fairground, the grandstand flower bed was the Yreka FFA flower bed during his career and continues to have many perennials planted during his leadership blooming annually. Larry and Leanne continue to raise cattle on their operation in Scott Valley and Larry continues to support agricultural endeavors like Siskiyou County Ag Day.  

Organizations like the Siskiyou Golden Fair thrive because of community minded individuals that get involved for the good of all and Harry and Larry have been shining examples of agriculturalists  that have made significant impacts on students, the community and our fair. “It takes the whole community to make our fairground thrive year-round,” stated CEO, Cliff Munson, “Harry and Larry are great examples of commitment to our fair and the youth that are our future agriculturalists and this award is a simple token to express our appreciation of a job well done.” 

Join Harry & Larry and the community at the flagpole at 5:00 pm on opening night as they are honored with the Lifetime pass award. Harry & Larry love the fair and would be honored if you all join us as we celebrate the 2024 run of Country Fair with a Golden Flare, the 2024 Siskiyou Golden Fair. 

For more information, contact the fair office at 842-2767 or [email protected]. The 2024 Siskiyou Golden Fair, “Country Fair with a Golden Flare” runs August 7-11 in Yreka.