A rodeo clown scrambles away from one mean animal during the Humpz & Hornz ‘Bad to the Bone’ 2022 Bull Riding Tour.
The Fun Slide was a favorite among the carnival rides.
Kalimba — The Spirit of Earth, Wind & Fire Experience — performs during the free Outdoor Theatre Concert Series presented by Coors Light.
Local kids were amazed to discover a young wallaby at the petting zoo.
There’s nothing like winning the prized stuffed animal.
A cowboy gets bucked off the saddle in front of a packed Grandstand audience.
Thousands of residents from around the Central Valley made their way to the Merced County Fair over the course of its five-day run last week.
Guests were able to enjoy a traditional night out at the fair for the first time in two years — after this valley’s long bout with the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 2022 edition of the fair, however, was back and better than ever with more rides, games, food, music, and live entertainment.
Final attendance numbers and fundraising results from the Jr. Livestock Auction were not available before the Times press deadline this week, but stay tuned for more on those details in the upcoming edition of the paper.
The Stars Of This Year’s Merced County Fair
Mark Pazin and Juanita Pedrozo stand with some of the top FFA and 4-H award winners at this year’s fair.
El Capitan’s Communications Team were State Champions this year.
Golden Valley’s Dairy Evaluation Team were State Champions this year.
Golden Valley earned this year’s John & Julia Thurman Outstanding Overall FFA Chapter Award.
Some of Lancer’s 4-H top award winners in the Livestock Showmanship Competition.
The young members of Lancer’s 4-H had a strong showing at this year’s County Fair.
McSwain 4-H won a coveted place on the John & Julia Thurman 4-H Club Award.
Those who made their way to the back of the fairgrounds were able to gain an even more immersive experience in agriculture thanks to the year-long efforts of local chapters of the Future Farmers of America and 4-H organizations. Throughout the year, local students work with animals that are put on display at the fair as part of county level competition that sees the public gain insight into the agricultural industry that supports the local area. Additionally, the county fair helps these young farmers gain funding and offset the costs associated with raising livestock through the eventual auction of their raised animals.
Local Art, Culture Focus Of Fair’s Community Exhibits
At the Tioga Hall, fairgoers enjoyed learning more about the agriculture that makes up the Central Valley and how it is grown.
From trash to treasure, Atwater artist Rose Tripp converted plastic bottles into beautiful flowers in a lovely garden structure that also included a monarch butterfly.
‘Word Stick,’ a ceramic tongue by Winton artist Minnie Andrade, is the recipient of a first place award in the Jr. Arts and Crafts Division.
‘Zariah’, an acrylic portrait by Merced artist Tonia Hemme, is adorned with a first place award in the Adult Fine Arts Division.
A wall of First Place art entries by local artists.
Local artists of all ages and mediums were recognized for their endeavors at the Emanuel Medical Center Arts Pavilion during the Merced County Fair. From photography, to canvas, ceramics, and even toys, the hall was filed with hundreds of submitted artworks created by Merced County residents and judged by a fair panel of experts.