Auto racing, music hitmakers, more set for this Merced tradition. See when, where
Get ready to “Let the Good Times Roll” in Merced.
That’s the theme of this year’s Merced County Fair, set for Wednesday through Sunday, June 4-8.
Expect plenty of popular attractions, from concerts to grandstand events, fair food and livestock exhibits.
And, of course, there will be a midway featuring an array of carnival rides.
Among the concert performers will be hitmakers including classic R&B/rock group WAR and country music’s Rodney Atkins, according to the fair’s website.
In the Grandstand, fairgoers can catch auto racing, a destruction derby and other events.
A makers marketplace will sell locally made food, art, jewelry, clothing and more.
Here’s a look at what’s scheduled for the Concert Stage and ready to rumble in the Grandstand, as listed on the website:
Enjoy a variety of concerts
Shows begin at 8:30 p.m. and are free with fair admission.
▪ June 4: TLR — Experience The Eagles
▪ June 5: Journey Revisited
▪ June 6: Rodney Atkins
▪ June 7: WAR
▪ June 8: Selena Super Show
See racing and more in the Grandstand
Events begin at 7 p.m. with one exception, noted below. There’s a separate Grandstand admission of $5, free for age 5 and under.
▪ June 4: Merced Speedway Auto Racing
▪ June 5: Merced Speedway Auto Racing
▪ June 6: Valley Tractor Pullers’ Tractor Pull
▪ June 7: Destruction Derby
▪ June 8: Gran Cierre de Feria con Jaripeo Tremendo, with bull riding, dancing horses, banda music and more (6:30 p.m.)
Other attractions listed on the website for this year include a “Farm to City” Children’s Farmers Market, competitive agriculture and horticulture exhibits, a reading zone, petting zoo, pony rides, Alaskan racing pigs and more. Tadpole the Clown will perform magic and create balloon sculptures.
Tadpole also will lead the traditional Tractor Parade, when more than 20 old-fashioned tractors make their way through the fairgrounds at about 5:45 p.m. each day.
Fair hours are 5 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Wednesday through Friday, 3 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. Gates close at 11 p.m.
Fair admission at the gate is $15, $11 if purchased online; free for age 12 and under.
Unlimited per day carnival ride wristbands are $37 Wednesday to Thursday, $42 Friday to Sunday. The wristbands are $36 if purchased online by June 3. Wristbands are only available with a fair admission ticket.
The Merced County Fairgrounds is at 900 Martin Luther King Jr. Way. For more on this year’s celebration, see www.mercedcountyfair.com.
