Learn About Our Projects
First formed in 2008, the Friends of the Merced County Fair have raised funds to improve various aspects of the Fairgrounds from facilities to support of educational programs. The Friends of the Merced County Fair work closely with Merced County Fair leadership and its Board of Directors to ensure all projects align with the vision and mission of the Merced County Fair, as well as serve the growing needs of the entire community.
The most recent project was the nine-year, $1.2 million fundraising effort to build the Hilmar Cheese Barn, a 33,800 sq. ft., state-of-the-art facility. Hundreds of sponsors stepped up to contribute to the construction of the impressive Hilmar Cheese Barn, which is the largest construction project at the Merced Fairgrounds in the last 35 years.
Built in 2016 and debuting at the 2016 Merced County Fair, the Hilmar Cheese Barn was designed to provide a larger space for the growing number of swine being exhibited with more wash racks, better lighting and ventilation, as well as other modernizations to provide convenience and improve safety for the Merced County Fair exhibitors, as well as the visiting public. It has provided an incredible space to host the annual Jr. Livestock Auction and other big shows during the Fair. The Hilmar Cheese Barn is also utilized year round to host non-fair events, including expanded farm shows, car shows, private events, community events and many other activities.
The Friends of the Merced County Fair proudly announced that the $600,000 loan to construct the barn has been paid off as of January 22, 2018. This now enables the Friends of the Merced County Fair to turn their focus on to the next project.
Sponsor Recognition
We want to proudly acknowledge the generous sponsors who stepped forth to support the Hilmar Cheese Barn and provide a top notch facility for our 4-H, FFA and Independent exhibitors during the Fair and for the entire community to use year round.
$250,000
Hilmar Cheese Company, Inc.
$100,000
American Ag Credit
$50,000 | Beam Sponsors
Burroughs Family Farms
Central Valley Trucking/Central Valley Concrete
Fagundes Dairies | Ralph, Lloyd & Fred
Kirby Manufacturing, Inc.
Laird Manufacturing
Minturn Nut Company
R.A. Sano Farms, Inc.
Shannon Pump Co.
Yosemite Farm Credit
$25,000 | Column Sponsors
Bert Crane Orchards
Jim & Carlene Cunningham
Duane & Barbara Matheron
Les & Liz McCabe
Mark & Marsha Seivert
$10,000 | Wash Rack Sponsors
Community Foundation Merced County
Hilltop Ranch
Walt & Sue Koehn
Merced County Fair Rodeo
Ray & Maria Giampaoli Family
Bob & Kim Rogina
Vista Livestock
Weimer Farms
$5,000 | Panel Sponsors, Gold
Foster Farms Poultry
Joseph Gallo Farms
Roger & Chi Chi Wood
Billy Grissom | Fertilizer Spreading, LLC
Rabobank
California Milk Advisory Board
Turlock Livestock Auction
Richard & Lesanne Jacobsen
$2,500 | Panel Sponsors, Silver
Bob & Jeanne Giampaoli
Hilmar Stevinson Ag Boosters
Ingraham Trophies
Merced River Ag Boosters
Merced County Office of Education | S. Gomes
$1,000 | Panel Sponsors, Bronze
Grant & Vance Ahlem
Arnold Farms
Monica Bianchi
California Women For Ag, Merced
Club Mercedes
Kevin & Mindy Hall
Merced County Chamber of Commerce
Merced/Mariposa Cattlemen’s Association
Merced Holstein Club
Merced Schools Employees Federal Credit Union
Nathan Lewis Family
David & Lorraine Passadori
John Pedrozo
Richard & Joan Regalo
Ed & Nancy Silva
Scott & Denise Skidmore
Brian & Doreen Snyder
Sierra Vista Dairy LP
Sun West Jersey Dairy
Winton, Ireland, Strom & Green