The Merced County Fair’s Board of Directors, Management and staff want to thank the community for coming out to support the 2025 Merced County Fair presented by Valley Children’s Healthcare, which ran June 4 – 8. While Fair Management is still auditing final attendance numbers, big crowds of smiling Fairgoers showed up to enjoy a fun and safe 2025 Merced County Fair featuring everything from dynamic attractions and shows to delicious Fair food, exhibits, carnival rides and more!
“The energy and support we felt this year was just incredible – our community really showed up and made this Fair one to remember,” said Teresa Burrola, CEO, Merced County Fair. “Whether it was catching a concert, visiting the animals, exploring exhibits or enjoying the new Farm to Fair attraction, every corner of the Fairgrounds was alive with people having fun together. We’re proud to provide this tradition that continues to bring families and friends together in such a meaningful way.”
A special Opening Ceremonies kicked off the Fair, at which Merced County Sheriff Department’s Honor Guard conducted the flag presentation, while Sheriff Deputy Aaron Avila sang the national anthem. Joseph Farms California Natural Cheese was named as the 2025 Sponsor of the Year and there was a special celebration of retiring CEO Teresa Burrola, who welcomed her family on stage and received special Certificates of Recognition by Joe Ballas, representing California State Senator Anna Caballero; Julian Villafaña, representing California State Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria; Supervisor Josh Pedrozo on behalf of Merced County Board of Supervisors and Councilmember Darin Dupont on behalf of City of Merced Mayor Matthew Serratto.
Always focused on providing affordable family entertainment, the Fair offered a variety of ways for the community to save on their trip to the Fair! Fairgoers had these great savings opportunities that lasted through the Fair – $5 savings on Adult Admission and up to $7 on Unlimited Carnival Ride Wristbands when purchased at participating Save Mart and FoodMaxx locations and “Buy One, Get One Free” Grandstand event tickets were available at O’Reilly Auto Parts stores. Plus, anyone who donated five cans of food from May 5 through June 4 at the Merced or Atwater MERCO Credit Unions received a free admission ticket good for Opening Day of the Fair as part of the “Feed Our Community” early food drive benefitting the Merced County Food Bank. A total of 4,826 lbs. of food was collected to help fight hunger in Merced County, surpassing last year’s total of 3,789 lbs. and bringing the nine-year total to 39,612 lbs. of food collected!
For the fourth year in a row, thanks to presenting sponsor Valley Children’s Healthcare, kids 12 and under were free into the Fair every day, providing an incredible savings for families. The savings continued as the Fair opened with the return of Dignity Health – Mercy Medical Center Seniors’ Day on Opening Day, June 4, which welcomed seniors 62 and better for free all evening long, plus featured a special Seniors’ Lifestyle Expo. Additionally, the community was able to enjoy free rides to the fairgrounds from the Downtown Transpo Center and North Transit Hub thanks to a partnership with The Bus; a total of 624 passengers took advantage of this service; an increase from last year’s total of 439 people.
During the five days of the Fair, the Grandstand was busy with excitement! The Merced Speedway Auto Racing kicked off the Fair with shows on Wednesday and Thursday, followed by Valley Tractor Pullers’ Tractor Pull on June 6. Crowds packed the grandstands for the Destruction Derby (June 7) and Jaripeo Tremendo (June 8) to close out the Fair – all made possible thanks to sponsors Table Mountain Casino Resort, Coors Light, O’Reilly Auto Parts, Save Mart and FoodMaxx. Fairgoers also enjoyed free live music and entertainment on the Coors Light Stage and the Dignity Health – Mercy Medical Center Stage, not to mention packed shows in the Outdoor Theatre as part of the FREE Table Mountain Concert Series presented by Coors Light that featured Experience the Eagles (June 4), Journey Revisited (June 5), Rodney Atkins (June 6), WAR (June 7) and the Selena Super Show (June 8).
The Merced County Fair’s daily tractor parade led by Tadpole the Clown is always a highlight and was sponsored this year by UC Merced! Fairgoers also enjoyed thrilling carnival rides provided by Butler Amusements, which featured a total of 32 attractions. Favorites ranged from the new stomach-turning Invader ride to the classic Ferris wheel — and for kids, the top picks were the Wacky Worm and Frog Hopper rides.
The Sunshine Lane Family Area was bustling with families enjoying everything from Pony Rides to the Petting Zoo, along with fan-favorite Alaskan Racing Pigs and the new Farm to Fair attraction, sponsored by Valley Children’s Healthcare and Joseph Farms California Natural Cheese. This interactive area included the Children’s Farmers’ Market, where kids could shop for and learn about different fruits and vegetables before enjoying a delicious snack from the award-winning Joseph Farms Cheese. Fairgoers also had the chance to try out a hands-on cow milking station and play in a fun sensory zone filled with corn, shovels, and toy tractors. A major addition to the Farm to Fair attraction was the Kids Reading Zone, part of the Fair’s Early Childhood Literacy Program – now in its fourth year – created in partnership with Valley Children’s, Merced County Library and First 5 Merced County. This cozy space offered a reading area with books, tables and chairs, a “Thank a Farmer” postcard activity and nightly “Local Leaders Read” Storytime from 6 to 7 p.m., featuring guest readers like Merced Mayor Serratto, Merced County Librarian Amy Taylor, Sheriff’s Deputies and other local leaders. Each participating child received a free carnival ride voucher. Plus, on Saturday and Sunday, the Merced County Library Bookmobile was stationed next to the attraction, providing even more reading opportunities for families. Thanks to generous community support, more than 900 books were given away during the Fair!
In the Arts Pavilion, there was a Kids’ Craft Zone where they made fans each day. Plus, the popular Blue Devil’s Tailgate Party Zone made possible by Merced Community College returned with its misters, fans and of course, cornhole – the perfect place to hang out!
As always, livestock drew big crowds and support from the community, which is evident in this year’s total which broke last year’s record! The Small Animal Auction, Dairy Replacement Heifer Sale and the Jr. Livestock Auction generated an incredible $1,637,107.75 in sales across 823 animals sold (compared to $1,561,780.50 in 2024).
“As I reflect on my final Fair as CEO, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for this community,” said Teresa Burrola. “The support, smiles and heartfelt moments I’ve experienced over the years – and especially this year – have meant the world to me. I couldn’t have asked for a better sendoff, and I leave knowing that the Merced County Fair is in great hands and will continue to thrive for generations to come.”
The 2026 Merced County Fair will run June 10 – 14.