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‘This is what we do best.’ Merced County Fair opens to big crowd after 2-year hiatus

in Entertainment/Fun

The smiles, screams, laughs and the smell of fair food was back as the Merced County Fair opened it’s gates for the first time since 2019 on Wednesday evening.

After being dark for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, fair officials are expecting big crowds during the fair’s five-day run from Wednesday through Sunday..

“We are so excited to be back after two years,” said Merced County Fair CEO Teresa Burrola. “This is what we do best, which is get a fair up and running. Having been dark (for two years) it’s a great reward.”

Continue Reading on Merced Sun-Star

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Could California’s county fairs move to later in the year? ‘It’d be a tough call to do’

in People

STANISLAUS COUNTY, Calif. — After all the slings and arrows of 2020 and the coronavirus pandemic, the idea of throwing the biggest and safest party of 2021 is a tantalizing idea for some organizers. With vaccinations ongoing and a possible end to the pandemic in sight, some say having that safe party later in the year could still be on the table.

“It would be absolutely amazing,” said Matt Cranford, CEO of the Stanislaus County Fair. “The lowest point of my entire career was having to cancel the Stanislaus County Fair last year. That was my lowest point bar none professionally, so to come back a year later and just pull off something, do something phenomenally great, for the community… would be huge.”

That being said, it’s not that easy. There’s a lot of parts to a county fair. Usually, the Stanislaus County Fair has half their entertainment lined up.

“This year, it’s been different - just trying to get commitments has been a little tougher. On the entertainment, a lot of the entertainers want guaranteed contracts,” Cranford said. “How are you going to step out and do a guaranteed contract for $30,000, $40,000 (or) $80,000 for an artist not knowing if you can do a fair or not?”

Continue Reading on ABC 10

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2021 Santa Barbara County Fair uncertain, but virtual livestock auction will proceed

in People

When Nipomo FFA chapter member and sheep breeder Emily Ward learned that the 2020 Santa Barbara County Fair was canceled due to COVID-19, she opted not to participate in the virtual auction that was held in June, but she plans to participate in a second one slated for this summer. 

It's still too early to determine if the 2021 County Fair, slated for July 14 to July 18, will happen, but a virtual auction already is in the works, according to Kevin Merrill, who sits on the fair's board of directors. 

"We're just putting it out there now, trying to get an idea of how many kids will participate," Merrill said. "We want to make sure that the kids who have an animal participate and there's some way of being able to sell those." 

Each year, local FFA and 4-H youths have the opportunity to sell livestock during a three-day event at the annual fair. FFA and 4-H members typically work to arrange potential buyers and processing well before the auction. On average, about 2,000 animals are sold during the auction. 

Continue Reading on Lompoc Record

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Bill would help out county fairs

in Fun

Following the cancellation of fairs throughout the state this summer due to the coronavirus pandemic, Rep. Josh Harder is hoping a new bill he introduced this week will help alleviate some of their economic strain and keep them afloat until next year.

During a virtual round table discussion held via Zoom on Thursday, Harder announced the Protecting Fairs During Coronavirus Act — a legislative effort that would create an emergency grant program to help offset the massive revenue losses experienced by fairs this year. Californians throughout the state generate approximately $3.5 billion in economic impact each year by attending the fair.

Locally, the Stanislaus County Fair boasted an attendance of over 260,000 in 2019. After announcing in April that the annual event in Turlock would be canceled, however, the fair has issued layoff notices to most of its employees and is in danger of operating at a deficit by October if no action is taken.

Continue Reading on Ceres Courier

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These two Northern California fairs are among the top in the country for attendance

in Around California

CALIFORNIA, USA — It's hard work to put on annual fair, but some Northern California fairs do it with flair and a lot of pride.

Both the California State and the Stanislaus County fairs made the International Association of Fairs and Expositions' list of the top 100 fairs, ranked by attendance.

The state fair was the highest ranked fair for Northern California with 601,761 attendees, a 5% increase from 2018 to 2019. Rounding out closer to the end of the list was the Stanislaus County Fair with a strong showing of 260,000 attendees, a sizable increase of 16% during that same time.

Continue Reading on ABC 10

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California man threatened mass shooting to avoid attending county fair with parents

in Local Roundup

A California man made false threats of a mass shooting to avoid attending a county fair with his family, police said.

Erik Villasenor, 22, sent an email to staff at the Los Angeles County Fair on Friday afternoon threatening violence at the event, said police in Pomona, California, a city 30 miles east of L.A.

In the email, Villasenor wrote, 'Hello, I was told that someone was planning on doing a mass shooting on Sunday at the Fairgrounds. I just wanted to inform you guys already,” according to Pomona Police Chief Mike Olivieri.

Continue Reading on NBC News

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California shooting raises security questions at Ingham County Fair

in Local Roundup

LANSING, Mich. — Hot dogs, elephant ears, and fried Oreos are a hot topic at the fair. But so is safety following northern California shooting on Sunday.

Every year thousands attend the Ingham County Fair in Mason. News 10 talked to the Sheriff’s Office about security concerns for the week.

Walking through one of the three entrances you won’t see metal detectors or people sifting through bags, but Ingham County Sheriff's Office says while you may not be able to see them, they’re still watching.

Like many in the community, a local mom and her kids tell News 10 they have come to the Ingham County Fair for years.

Continue Reading on Fox 47

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Keeping it local | Stanislaus County Fair in full swing in Turlock

in Local Roundup

TURLOCK, Calif. — The Stanislaus County Fair is in full swing for its 10-day run in Turlock, celebrating its 108th anniversary.

“It’s definitely one of the most competitive fairs in the state!” Kristi Johnson, an FFA student showing a 277-pound pig said.

The county fair kicked off on Friday, the same day as the California State Fair, but ABC10 found many families sticking around town to keep it local.

Continue Reading on ABC 10

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TLC Replaced By En Vogue At Tuesday’s Stanislaus State Fair Line-Up Due To Illness

in Local Roundup/Upcoming event

On the heels of their California State Fair cancellation due to illness, music duo TLC has also canceled its show at Stanislaus State Fair.

The group was scheduled to perform Tuesday night, but canceled “due to medical reasons in regard to one of the bandmates,” according to the fair’s Marketing and Communication Director Adrenna Alkhas.

On the bright, side, the group will be replaced by En Vogue.

Continue Reading on CBS Sacramento

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