The Lassen County Fair will honor two longtime community leaders whose decades of service have helped shape generations of Lassen County residents.
Robert and RoseMarie Thompson have been named the 2026 Lassen County Fair Old Timers of the Year in recognition of more than 50 years of dedication to education, agriculture, youth programs, and community service.
Together, the Thompsons raised six children while building careers centered around serving others. RoseMarie spent nearly three decades working in education as a librarian, while Bob served for 25 years on the Lassen County Board of Education, advocating for students and rural schools throughout the county.
Their commitment to youth and agriculture extended beyond their professional careers. The couple were longtime 4-H leaders, supported FFA programs, and helped strengthen the Bieber community through volunteer efforts and civic involvement.
The Thompsons have also been a familiar presence at the Lassen County Fair for decades. Their family participated in livestock projects, including showing sheep and cattle, while Bob’s antique engine and farm equipment displays have become a favorite tradition for fairgoers.
Fair officials say the couple’s decades of kindness, leadership, and service represent the spirit of the Old Timers of the Year award.
Robert and RoseMarie Thompson will be recognized during the Old Timer Luncheon on Friday, July 17, and will be honored during the Lassen County Fair Parade on Saturday, July 18.
Fairgoers will also have the opportunity to visit the Thompsons’ antique engine and farm equipment exhibit during the fair, where Bob continues to share the history behind the machinery and the stories connected to Lassen County’s agricultural heritage.
