Grant Grundler was a first-time visitor to the Western States Blacksmith Conference held at Bolado Park two weekends ago. As a beginner participating in the blacksmithing trade, Grundler was wide eyed at a vast array of displays, demonstrations and resources unavailable to an everyday novice like himself.
“It’s basically one big blacksmithing party, as far as I can tell,” said Grundler, of Mountain View, wearing a camouflage, brimmed hat and sunglasses while taking a close look outside at an artificial tree plucked by blacksmiths’ miniature, metal creations.
The phrase “one big party” could sum up the experience for about a dozen specialty groups visiting Bolado Park throughout the year. The Tres Pinos facility, run by the 33rd Agricultural District and home to the county fair and rodeo, has become an attractive, serene, family-friendly destination point for organizations with a range of interests such as blacksmiths, kennel-club trainers, bluegrass musicians and horse-riding acrobats in the gymkhana association.
They are drawn to the rural venue for its variety of physical offerings—a host of buildings including a recently redone pavilion, plenty of open spaces, grandstands and camping areas—and also for the calmness of nature and beauty of the area’s rolling hills.
“It’s probably because there’s a broad spectrum of uses available here at Bolado Park Event Center,” said Donnette Silva Carter, CEO of the county fair.
And the natural environment.
“It is so peaceful out here in the evenings,” she added.
Lately, there has been a string of both regular and new organizations renting the facility, including the blacksmiths in late April. This past weekend, the Gavilan Kennel Club Dog Show made its annual trot to the grounds and added a sophisticated touch to the occasionally wild, occasionally Western, occasionally old-fashioned—as in that Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival meeting here each late summer—ilk of Bolado Park.
For the kennel club organization, Bolado is relatively close to its Gilroy home. Donnelle Richards, the club’s site coordinator for the kennel club dog show and recording secretary, said the event draws people from all over including a judge from Canada, visitors from Southern California and dogs from throughout the U.S.
Richards, formerly of San Benito County and now a Gilroy resident, said the Gavilan event is known for being an exhibitor-friendly show. She said participants put on the “best tailgate party” on Saturday evening. And the Gavilan club offers amenities that other dog shows don’t have, she said.
“Friday night, when people park their motor home,” Richards said, “we actually give them a free chicken dinner. That’s not done by any other kennel club.”
