While fair management is still auditing final attendance numbers, big crowds showed up to enjoy the 2024 Merced County Fair featuring everything from dynamic attractions and shows to delicious fair food, exhibits, carnival rides and more from June 5-9.
“We are blessed with a community that loves and supports its Fair – regardless of the temperatures outside,” said Teresa Burrola, CEO, Merced County Fair. “Family and friends showed up to enjoy all that the Merced County Fair offers from live music and grandstand shows to exhibits, carnival rides, food and more! We are grateful to bring this tradition to the community year after year – and enjoy seeing each smiling face that passes through our gates.”
A special Opening Ceremonies kicked off the fair, at which Merced County Sheriff Department’s Honor Guard conducted the flag presentation, while Miss Merced County’s Teen Hallie Billings sang the national anthem. The Merced School Employees Credit Union was named as the 2024 Sponsor of the Year, while a special tribute to the late Tony Rossi – a longtime Fair supporter and track announcer – was held, including a moment of silence.
For the third year in a row, the Merced County Fair partnered with Valley Children’s Healthcare, the Merced County Library and First 5 Merced County on the Early Childhood Literacy Partnership whose mission is to empower children to read, as well as foster a love for reading. As part of this partnership, the Merced County Fair hosted the Library Bookmobile on June 8 and 9, where 1,500 free books donated by Valley Children’s Healthcare were handed out to young Fairgoers.
The new Makers Marketplace, located across from the Grandstand, provided a place where fairgoers could shop local supporting small businesses. This storefront-like marketplace featured 21 vendors from throughout the Central Valley selling everything from jewelry, plants, clothing, candles, food and more.
As always, livestock draws in the crowds and big support from the community, which is evident in this year’s record-breaking livestock numbers. The Small Animal Auction on June 7 in the Les McCabe Arena saw the sale of 148 animals generating $44,980 in sales. Also on June 7 was the Dairy Replacement Heifer Sale in the Les McCabe Arena, which generated $344,400 from heifers sold. Everything culminated on June 8, with the Jr. Livestock Auction in the Hilmar Cheese Barn, which was a big success generating $1,172,400.50 in sales from 613 animals exhibited and sold by 4-H, FFA and Independent Exhibitors, with add-ons still coming in. In total the 2024 Merced County Fair Livestock Auctions and Sales brought in a record-breaking $1,561,780.50.
Hilmar High School FFA students once again demonstrated their dedication at the 2024 Merced County Fair, earning accolades and showcasing their hard work, under the guidance of Christie Hobby, agricultural advisor at Hilmar High School.
"We want them to take pride in their ownership and learn to care for others," Hobby said. "Our Hilmar students have that pride and respect for each other and their projects."
Daniel Deniz achieved the Supreme Grade Cow title, while Carrington Azevedo secured the Supreme Registered Cow title. Freshman Carly Maciel made a notable impression with her three animals, and Gianna Silveira earned second place in her heat with her replacement heifer, which advanced to the final drive.
“It's just contributing to the community and it's just a really great experience, too. I think it's really hitting the youth. It does educate very well when the kids come through, it's very fun,” said Silveria.
During the June 8 Jr. Livestock Auction, Roger and ChiChi Wood were presented with the Blue Ribbon Award, created by the Western Fairs Association (WFA) to recognize those who support and contribute to the quality of fairs – and is one of the highest honors a Fair can give out. Roger was one of the owners of the old Wood Fruit Company established in 1919 in Atwater by his father Elmer Wood, then later J.R. Wood Inc. before it was sold to Dole Food Company in 2005. They were growers and packers of peaches, other stone fruit, strawberries, grapes and vegetables. In the late 1970s, Roger was a member of California Agricultural Leadership Foundation. Over the years, he’s been on numerous councils related to the peach and farming industry and would visit Washington DC several times a year to lobby for frozen fruit cups in the USDA school lunch program. Nowadays, Roger hosts a local radio program on KYOS 1480 called Community Conversations and invites guests to speak about local items of interest, including promoting the Merced County Fair each year. ChiChi Wood was a Merced County Fair Board Director from 2000 – 2003. Following her time on the Fair Board, she was a Board Member on the Friends of the Merced County Fair for 10 years, from 2009 – 2019, and was part of the effort to raise funds for the construction of the Hilmar Cheese Barn, which is the largest construction project at the fairgrounds in the past three decades. Together Roger and ChiChi Wood are active supporters of the Merced County Fair. Every year since 2009, they have been purchasing 4-H and FFA large and small animal projects. Their grandchildren were and are members of Atwater FFA and St. Anthony’s 4-H, and they are proud supporters of both clubs. But they also like to support kids who may not have a lot of bidding support in the auction audience. Roger and ChiChi are firm believers in giving back and the Fair was thrilled to name them as the 2024 Blue Ribbon Winner for all they do for the Fair, the exhibitors and the community.
“We are reflecting back on what a great Fair we had this year. Not only are we proud of the entertainment the Fair brings to our community, but also its financial impact with jobs and revenue for local businesses, which is estimated to be $23 million each year,” said Burrola. “We look forward to serving the community year-round and welcoming everyone back in 2025 to kick-off the summer with us.”
