To save money, stretch budgets and avoid increasing admission and other prices, the Merced County Fair’s Board of Directors has decided to offer a five-day fair in 2011 – Wednesday, June 15 through Sunday, June 19. Reducing the fair’s run by one day – starting the fair on Wednesday instead of Tuesday – will be done on a trial basis, said the fair’s CEO, Tom Musser.

“The Board carefully considered this decision,” Musser said. “The 2010 Fair was a big success, but for us to continue to put on a top quality fair without raising prices we need to make this move. By making the fair one day shorter we can invest some of that savings in our entertainment offerings and put on an even better fair. We want to be an excellent 5-day fair, jam-packed with fun.”

Switching to a 5-day event will mean significant savings in operational expenses, Musser said, adding that the fair board examined all the impacts of such a change including the carnival, vendors, exhibits, the community and the livestock showing and judging schedule. The livestock show schedule won’t change with a 5-day fair – judging will begin on Tuesday, June 14, the day before the fair kicks off.

Except for a few years when money was scarce and during World War II, Merced County has had a fair since 1891. The 2011 Merced County Fair will be the 120th event. The beginning of the “modern day” Merced County Fair was a two-day event in September 1929. The six-day fair dates back about 50 years in Merced County. The fair was moved from September to August and then to July, and most recently, from July to June.

“The fair board is committed to producing a high quality event,” said Musser. “While the fair’s traditions are very important, changes to meet the needs and desires of the community today are equally important. We’ve had many people in the community come to us suggesting we make this change. The state of the economy demands that we do business differently to present a first class fair that everyone can enjoy.”

For more information, call the fair office at (209) 722-1507, fax at (209) 722-3773, or email to Info@MercedCountyFair.com. Visit the 2010 Merced County Fair’s website, www.MercedCountyFair.com and connect with us – find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.