Angels Camp, CA…(Frogtown, USA)…The Friends of the Calaveras County Fair are hosting a Hoe-down, Show-down. The Whiskerino Dinner Dance is planned for April 23. The dinner dance will be the official kick off event leading up to the Calaveras County Fair & Jumping Frog Jubilee May 19-22. The Whiskerino has a fine historic tradition in Calaveras County. Although the whiskerino dates back to the 1940s it was revitalized in the 1950’s and held for the next forty years. In 1955 Bob Petithome, Angels Camp resident, won the award for best full beard. He says the best part of the event was seeing “all the slick chins” try to grow beards. The event marked the month long Jubilee celebration. Originally held at the Gun Club adjacent to the Fairgrounds, men and women donned their best gold rush attire. However the biggest draw was the actual whisker competitions.

The Whiskerino will be on April 23 at the Calaveras County Fairgrounds in Mark Twain Hall. The event will begin at 6:00 p.m. Ticket prices are $20 per person or $150 per table. The price of the ticket includes admission, dinner and entertainment. Tickets will be available at the Fair office. The Friends of the Calaveras County Fair is a non profit organization comprised of members dedicated to both the history and preservation of the Calaveras County Fair and Jumping Frog Jubilee. Funds raised at the Whiskerino benefit the Friends of the Fair and the Calaveras Junior Livestock Program. For additional information contact the Fair office at 209-736-2561.