Toy Ride Runs Again

“The Nevada County Food and Toy Run will not continue,” said chief executive officer, and founder Thom Staser in 2021. That news shocked the community; having this beloved annual event cease to exist was unfathomable.

Eric Oliver, a longtime friend of Thom’s stepped in and became part of the new Nevada County Food and Toy Run team. “Eric made it pretty seamless, he pulled everything together, he’s really the one who picked up the baton, and brought many of us together to talk about it and make it happen,” said Shannon Buehler.”

“I didn’t really mean to, said Eric, “but I go way back with Tom. He was kind of a second father to me, and we always toyed with the idea of me taking over the Toy Run, but didn’t commit to it.” After an outreach from Eric, Thom suggested gathering his new dream team which included Shannon Buehler and her daughter Chelci, Tom Grayson, and Ed Peevey. They met, made a plan, and decided they were “doing it together!”

With four weeks to pull the event together, there was some discussion about the format but Eric and Chelci had been attending the Toy Run since they were kids and felt strongly that the motorcycle parade going through Grass Valley was something they and the community came to love. “I think that it would take the gusto out of the event if we were to end that part out,” Eric explained. “For us, watching the motorcycles in the Toy Run was always the beginning of Christmas,” said Shannon.

“Riders come from everywhere, said Eric, “there are toy runs all over the state, but the one that Thom built is one of the largest if not THE largest.” “I was super excited that Eric stepped up, it’s critical that you have someone heading this that’s part of the motorcycle associations up here, so they all feel connected, supported, and heard,” remarked Shannon.

With four weeks to organize this massive event, and with the support of municipal agencies, nonprofits, and the motorcycle community they were able to launch a streamlined event.

“You couldn’t ask for it to be better,” exclaimed Eric, “we had almost 1400 motorcycle show up on short notice. We were originally thinking of starting in 2022 but as different parts started falling in place we thought, “we can pull this off- let’s just do it this year! If we don’t do it this year, we’ll lose momentum and it will take years to get back the support.”

Success was theirs, and the next year was hailed as, “The Toy Run Rides Again!” perpetuating the heart and soul of this beloved event, delivering joy and happiness to Nevada County families in need.

Family Fun Abounds in Nevada County

We’re very often asked, “What is there for kids to do in and around Nevada County?” Our response is “Plenty!”

In and around Grass Valley and Nevada City, the 49er Family Fun Park is a great for all members of the family! Located on 4 acres, there’s unlimited fun: from go-karts, batting cages, and mini golf, and arcade games, there’s plenty of room to spread out and enjoy.

Municipal Parks abound in western Nevada County and both Pioneer Park in Nevada City and Memorial Park in Grass Valley have swimming pools and extensive playground areas for kids. Minnie Park sports two playgrounds, one for 2–5-year-olds and one for 5-12-yearolds and a Trike Track.

The adjacent Condon Park is replete with a BBQ Pavilion Area, basketball courts, ‘Dogs Run Free’ dog park, fishing pond, Little League Baseball Field, a playground (Ages 5-12), Skatepark, Squirrel Creek Disc Golf Course and beautiful trails.

In addition, the State Parks in Nevada County, each unique unto itself, offer unlimited family fun and exploration opportunities. South Yuba River State Park has the oldest longest covered bridge in America, Family Beach, great river sunbathing and swimming, and a multitude of trails to explore. Malakoff diggings offers camping along the river, tours of the North Bloomfield Ghost Town, swimming and fishing in Blair Lake, and Gold Panning! At Empire Mine State Park, while exploring the Mine Yard, you’ll find blacksmithing exhibitions, along with a Mine and Living History Cottage Tours.

There’s Tons of Fun to be found near Truckee: KidZone Museum, Tahoe Vista Treetop Adventure Park, and the nearby North Tahoe Adventures. The Truckee-Donner Recreation & Parks District has an amazing array of activities that include ice skating, swimming, boating, biking, golf, a sports park and art center.

Nevada County is rich with family fun opportunities, and we invite you to plunge into fun!

Malakoff Diggins

State Historic Park

Nevada City

Malakoff Diggins State Historic Park is nestled amongst the pine-studded chaparral forest of the Sierra Nevada Foothills and is home to California’s largest hydraulic gold mine. The 3,000-acre park encompasses the town of North Bloomfield and the historic Diggins site, which allows visitors to step back in time and experience the boom and bust of the California Gold Rush. Visitors can see huge cliffs carved by mighty jets of water, the results of the gold-mining technique of washing away entire mountains to find gold.

23579 N Bloomfield Rd, Nevada City, CA 95959 malakoffdigginsstatepark.org

Empire Mine State Historic Park

Grass Valley

Empire Mine State Historic Park is the site of one of the oldest, deepest, and richest gold mines in California. The park is in Grass Valley at 10791 East Empire Street. In operation for more than 100 years, the mine extracted 5.8 million ounces of gold before it closed in 1956. The park contains many of the mine’s buildings, the owner’s home, and restored gardens, as well as the entrance to 367 miles of abandoned and flooded mine shafts.

10791 E Empire St, Grass Valley, CA 95945 parks.ca.gov/?page_id=499

South Yuba State Park

Penn Valley

South Yuba River State Park offers many scenic vistas. Visitors can view swift-moving water carving the granitic canyon that is peppered with seasonal native blooms in springtime and experience refreshing swimming holes that dot the 20-mile length of the Yuba River in late summer. Along the length of the park, visitors can see several architecturally different bridges spanning from the Gold Rush era to the mid-20th century.

17660 Pleasant Valley Road, Penn Valley, CA 95946 southyubariverstatepark.org