Attractions
We're Back and Bigger Than Ever, with lots of new and returning attractions for the community to enjoy! Take a look at what you can expect at the 2022 Merced County Fair, presented by Valley Children's Healthcare!
NEW Ag-Focused Tioga Hall
The Tioga Hall will now be home to the Agriculture-Horticulture competitive exhibits as well as:
"Farm to City" Children's Farmers' Market
This Children’s Farmers’ Market offers youth the chance to experience what life is like as a farmer as they gather artificial apples, corn, eggs and more; participate in a hands one cow milking station where they can experience the process of milking the artificial cow; and enjoy a sensory experience playing in a corn-filled area with shovels and trucks; plus develop their motor skills when they sit and push the playground tractors!
Discovering Science
We can't wait to learn at the 2022 Merced County Fair at the Discovering Science Exhibit is in the San Joaquin Hall - the former Home Arts Exhibits Building! This interactive and educational exhibit all based on STREAM curriculum that uses Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics as access points for guiding student inquiry, dialogue and critical thinking. The end results are students who take thoughtful risks, engage in experiential learning, persist in problem-solving, embrace collaboration, and work through the creative process. Plus NEW this year in the Discovering Science Building is MindWorks!, an exhilarating hands-on attraction with elements that involve critical thinking, problem solving and team work. Play games on giant boards such as Chess, Checkers, Connect Four, Battleship, Simon Says, Scrabble, Jenga, and Operation. Build with magnets, giant foam blocks and wood blocks, or challenge your mind with chunky wood puzzles, metal tavern puzzles, or jumbo jigsaw puzzles.
Sunshine Lane Family Area
Located near the Kiddie Carnival, this great area features attractions for the entire family to enjoy together such as those listed below, as well as everyone’s favorite photo cutouts to snap a memorable Fair picture of the kids!
NEW Pee Wee Stampede
NEW at the 2022 Merced County Fair in the Sunshine Lane Family Area is the Pee Wee Stampede! Be sure to stop by this new attraction and see our littlest Fairgoers saddle up in mock rodeo events! This FREE hands-on rodeo for kids ages 3 to 6 years old features music, stick horses and bulls, cowboy gear, trophies and ribbons! Each rodeo show is 30 minutes. More details to come on times of the show. Interested in signing-up your cowboys and cowgirls? Sign-ups will be available during the Fair!
Early Childhood Literacy Partnership
The Merced County Fair has partnered with Valley Children’s Healthcare, the Merced County Library and First 5 Merced County to form the Early Childhood Literacy Partnership whose mission is to empower children to read, as well as foster a love for reading. As an exciting kickoff, the Merced County Fair will host the Library Bookmobile on Friday, June 10 through Sunday, June 12. Stop by and pick up your FREE book, and take advantage of the opportunity to sign up for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, as well as get your very own Merced County Library card. Spend your summer on an endless reading journey with your family!
Tadpole the Clown
The popular Tadpole the Clown returns to the Merced County Fair! Tadpole is a professional clown, magician, balloon sculpturist and entertainer. He lives in the Peanut Capitol of the World - Sylvester, Georgia. Tadpole is a Georgia Certified Firefighter and Fire Safety Instructor. He is a graduate and instructor of Clown School on the Road and a graduate of the Georgia Fire Academy Clown School. He has performed all over the U.S. and Canada with audience participation, laughter, and miles and miles of smiles. We can't wait to welcome Tadpole back to the 2022 Merced County Fair!
Tractor Parade
Don’t miss this Fair favorite and longstanding tradition of the Merced County Fair! At approximately 5:45 p.m. every day, the roar of loud engines can be heard as more than 20 old fashion tractors line-up to begin the Tractor Parade through the Fairgrounds, the drivers waving to the crowd as Tadpole leads the way!
NEW Power Jump
This is your chance to jump as high as you can on this giant trampoline! The harder you jump, the higher your bungee cords will launch you into the air! Perfect for thrill-seekers of all ages.
Baseball Throw Zone & Soccer Kick Station
Show off your athletic skills at the Fair! Test how hard you can kick a soccer ball at the new Soccer Kick station or see how fast you can throw a baseball at the Baseball Throw Zone! This is an activity that the whole family can enjoy!
Petting Zoo
From Great American Entertainment Company, the Petting Zoo at the Merced County Fair will feature a wide variety of animals including llamas, Fallow Deer, Bennett Wallabies, African Pygmy Goats, assorted exotic and domestic goats and sheep, Vietnamese Potbellied Pigs, Bantam Chickens, miniature Sicilian Donkeys, miniature Call Ducks – and baby animals born all year long.
Pony Rides
What trip to the Fair is complete for the youngest Fairgoers without stopping by the pony rides? Bring the kids over to take a ride on these gorgeous, healthy, strong, purebred Welsh ponies that your kids (and you) are sure to fall in love with!
Water Balls
Walk on water inside an air sealed hamster ball in a large pool right in the middle of the Fair! Try to keep your balance as you maneuver around! This attraction is entertaining and fun for BOTH the person in the Water Ball and the people watching!