County fair time in Mariposa just like a community homecoming

MARIPOSA -- Sitting on a four-wheeled all-terrain vehicle, Brian Bullis smiled as he looked around the Mariposa Fairgrounds.

The grounds, set on the side of a hill just outside of town, were crawling with carnies setting up carnival rides, while inside a small building, junior exhibits, including a fair representation of Mission San Juan Baptista, were being put up.

It's fair time in the small mountain county, and Bullis is ready.

"This is true Americana," Bullis, the chief executive officer of the fair, said. "This isn't just a fair -- it's a homecoming for a lot of people."

The 72nd annual event starts Friday and runs through Monday. Always held on Labor Day weekend, during the week before the fair downtown Mariposa sports shop windows painted with ferris wheels and clowns, right alongside American flags.

Bullis said the fair attracts about 30,000 visitors, which is good in a county of only about 18,000 people.

"People who have any ties with the county come back at fair time and make it a homecoming," Bullis said.

The tiny fair doesn't sport any big-name entertainers, but that's fine with the folks who bring their concession stands to the fair.

"We love this fair," said Tye Bayless, who owns a food concession that boasts deep-fried Twinkies and Snickers bars, along with fried catfish. "Other fairs are work -- this is like play for us."

Bayless said at their last fair, in Lancaster, it was nine days of "way too hot weather. Here, when we're not working, we're fishing for trout," he said.

CEO Bullis claims going to the Mariposa Fair is like stepping back in time about 20 or 30 years, when fairs weren't quite as big, or dangerous, as they can be now.

"We've never had any gang problems, knock on wood," he said. "And we offer a lot of fun things to do that you don't see a lot of places anymore."

Friday, the first day of the fair, is Family Day, and Bullis said the events being held that day are indicative of what the Mariposa Fair offers families.

"We have dachshund races, a couples' wheelbarrow race and an ultimate cowboy and cowgirl contest," he said.

The cowboy and cowgirl contest requires contestants to do ranch chores, such as buck hay, drive fence posts into the ground, carry a saddle across an arena and then there's the big finish.

"The last thing they do is sprint to the cowboy beer garden," Bullis laughed. "And the best cowboy and cowgirl each win $100."

Other events that are unique to the Mariposa fair are the saddle roping event, an event where the winner takes away a hand-made saddle. But it's not a regular roping event, Bullis said.

"A roper has to rope a steer from a chute, and then the roper's mugger grabs the steer," Bullis explained. "The roper has to get completely rid of his rope, and pull a ribbon off the steer's tail. And then that roper has to run to the middle of a circle. But they sure win a nice saddle if they're the best."

The fair is also known for horse show events, including working cow horse classes and all types of roping classes. A blacksmith shop is open every day of the fair, with blacksmith Ed Scherf showing fairgoers the ancient art of horseshoeing.

And then there's the watermelon seed-spitting contest, held Monday afternoon.

"This is a fun fair, it's great for families," Bullis said.

And it's a homecoming to Americana for a lot of folks.

Reporter Carol Reiter can be reached at (209) 385-2486 or creiter@mercedsun-star.com.