Fell in Love at the Fair Story Contest

“All love stories are tales of beginnings. When we talk about falling in love, we go to the beginning, to pinpoint the moment of freefall.”

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—Meghan O’Rourke

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Falling in love at the Fair is a magical moment in time that starts the adventure of a lifetime…and we’re excited to announce our first and second place winners for our “Fell in Love at the Fair” contest! We loved hearing the timeless memories and stories from our Fairgoers of the first moment they met their significant other which started the ride of a lifetime together.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Congratulations to our first-place winners: Joe and Paulette Silveira, who met on a warm Sunday evening in 1975! Paulette was introduced to Joe by a dear friend near a corn dog stand while visiting the Merced County Fair. Once their eyes met, an instant spark ignited. His smile melted her heart and they immediately fell into conversation—laughing and sharing stories for the next three hours ending at a local coffee shop. Their love story continued to unfold with marriage and three children. Every year, they returned to visit the Fair with their children. As they walked hand-in-hand through the familiar sights, Joe & Paulette would always make a special stop at the spot where they first met. Now, this yearly tradition is passed down to their granddaughter. It is a way for the couple to relive that moment and remind each other of the love that had stood the test of time.

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We’d also like to congratulate our second-place winners: Jose and Cindy Cervantes, who went to the Merced County Fair together 29 years ago! Since the first Fair date, the couple would visit the Merced County Fair each year. After three years of dating, Jose proposed to Cindy at the Fair where she, of course, said “YES!” This year marked the couple’s 25 wedding anniversary, and the mayor of Merced even gave the couple a certificate to mark their 25th anniversary! Jose and Cindy still make it a tradition to attend the Merced County Fair each year.

 

Thank you to both our winners, and everyone, who shared the magic of their love stories with us! We hope you’re able to create more wonderful memories together ♥