Lanie Skinner of the Our Lady of Fatima 4-H Club in Los Banos smiles as her pig is named 4-H Overall Champion during competition at the Merced County Fair on Tuesday. Skinner competed the next day against FFA students for a Supreme Champion title — something she won in May at the Merced County Spring Fair in Los Banos. However, it was an FFA standout from El Capitan High in Merced who won it all.
Samantha Col of El Capitan FFA won the overall Supreme Champion in the Market Hog competition at the Merced County Fair on Wednesday. In other words, Samantha successfully raised the best pig in the barn for this year’s fair. Way to go!
A young 4-H’er shakes the hand of a judge during the swine competition.
The Merced County Fair is off and running, and it all started with the Livestock exhibitions, shows and competitions featuring the hard work and skill of local 4-H and FFA students.
The swine, sheep, goat, beef, and small animal competitions are mostly held before the fair gates opened for the nightly entertainment, but they are well-attended by ag supporters, family members and educators.
The much-anticipated Junior Livestock Auction will start at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 7, and last for several hours. The emotional event when many students hand over their animals to adult buyers and sellers also serves as a financial support for student education and experience.
An official awards presentation will also be held for the students at 10 a.m. on Sunday, June 8, inside the Hilmar Cheese Barn.