Merced County Times

06/15/2026

A youngster walks away with a blue ribbon from the P*e Wee Showmanship competition at The Merced County Fair.

06/14/2026

Lots of money was raised to support local ag students at the replacement heifer auction by the Merced Mariposa Cattlemens Association during the Merced County Fair.

06/14/2026

Here are the award-winning FFA & 4-H students and top animals sold at the Junior Livestock Auction on Saturday at The Merced County Fair.
(We tried to take pictures of as many as we could ... There were a lot of champions)

06/13/2026

Sea lions are making a splash at the Merced County Fair!

New this year, the Sea Lion Splash brings the only traveling self-contained sea lion attraction to the fair. Featuring educational presentations, comedy-filled performances, and opportunities to take photos with the sea lions after each show.

Other new acts this year include Hilby “The Skinny German Juggle Boy,” a high-energy comedy performer known for balancing acts, unicycles, and daring juggling tricks; Jules Ross Physical Comedy, featuring an interactive crowd participation and laugh-out-loud comedy; and Slim & Curly, the fan-favorite cowboy duo bringing western-style humor and playful antics across the Fairgrounds on their signature “little horses.”

Fairgoers can also enjoy the new Shipwreck Pirate Comedy Show starring Captain Jack SpareRibs in the Sunshine Lane
Family Area.

Video: Daisy Castillo
Daisy After Hours 🪩

06/13/2026

Friends Helping Friends! ... THANKS SO MUCH to the regional 4-H association, the Merced Elks Club, the Merced County Farm Bureau, and The Merced County Fair Board for hosting and inviting members of the local special needs community to an exciting day on the fairgrounds with tours, lunch and music!

06/12/2026

There are many reasons to go to the Merced County Fair, but this year is extra special for our history enthusiasts.

You’ve got to check out the Merced County Courthouse Museum’s display in the Tioga Building, where artifacts with rich Merced history take center stage — in the center showcase.

Imagine that it was a hot summer evening in the 1970s, and you just finished band practice at Merced High. After putting away your drum in the band room, you rode your red bike to the mall to meet up with your friends. It was the perfect night to be out, especially since your parents had gone to Reinero’s to celebrate their wedding anniversary.

You and your friends pedaled across town to the County Fairgrounds. As tempting as it was to rush over to Rosie’s for your favorite chili dog, you had been dreaming about a corn dog and funnel cake all week long. Now that the fair was finally here, the wait was over!

Back to reality, at least four historical items mentioned in this fictional story are on display at the Merced County Fairgrounds. Can you guess what they are? Hints: something about the band, the mall, the restaurant, and the hot dog stand.

In addition to these artifacts, there are historic photos, a wooden wheel, a city limit sign, an old highway sign, a no-smoking sign, and, of course, that red bike. Please visit the display at the Merced County Fair; it will, no doubt, be a trip down memory lane.

Here are some questions to make your visit to our fair display more interesting and educational:

1. When did Merced have a population of 33,750, as posted on the Merced City limit sign?
2. What is the make and model of the red bicycle?
3. What was the wooden wheel used for?
Remember the Courthouse Museum’s slogan: “See Something Old, Learn Something New.”

Story: Sarah Lim - Director of the Merced County Courthouse Museum.

06/11/2026

As a way to build up momentum for the upcoming pro rodeo at the Merced County Fair, the Merced Western Heritage Foundation took over Bob Hart Square in Downtown Merced last Saturday for a fun and family-oriented kickoff celebration.

  As a way to build up momentum for the upcoming pro rodeo at the Merced County Fair, the Merced Western Heritage Foundation took over Bob Hart Square in Downtown Merced last Saturday for a fun and family-oriented kickoff celebration. “We want to encourage the livelihood and the continuation of t...

06/11/2026

There are many reasons to go to the Merced County Fair, but this year is extra special for our history enthusiasts.

  By SARAH LIM Special to the Times There are many reasons to go to the Merced County Fair, but this year is extra special for our history enthusiasts. You’ve got to check out the Merced County Courthouse Museum’s display in the Tioga Building, where artifacts with rich Merced history take cent...

06/11/2026

Merced High Class of 2026 - GO BEARS!