Merced County Fair on a budget: Insider tips for affordable thrills and treats
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- Advance tickets are $10 plus applicable fees for ages 13 and up.
- Unlimited ride wristbands are $40 Wed–Thu and $45 Fri–Sun; save $7 by buying early.
- Free shuttle runs every 30 minutes from 16th & O and M & Bellevue 5 p.m.–12:30 a.m.
The price of everything is climbing these days, from groceries to gas, and county fairs haven’t escaped the trend. Attractions and fair food cost more than they did just a few years ago.
Still, with the right game plan, visitors can stretch their dollars without sacrificing fun at the Merced County Fair.
One of the smartest moves you can make to save money while still enjoying the fair is to purchase your entry tickets in advance. The fair is free to children under 12, but for anyone 13 and up, it costs $15 at the door. However, tickets can be purchased online, or in-person at FoodMaxx and Savemart, for $10, plus applicable fees.
Grandstand event tickets, which include access to monster trucks, rodeo shows and jaripeo events, must be purchased separately but are also available at a discount online.
Free exhibits at Merced County Fair
Another way to maximize fun at the fair without breaking the bank is to take advantage of the many free activities and exhibits on display. From animal shows to an interactive farm-to-fair demonstration for kids, there are plenty of fair activities included in the price of admission.
For little kids, it’s easy to find fun, free entertainment. Near the entrance, you will find a petting zoo hosted by All Smiles Entertainment, which is free to enjoy with animal pellets available for purchase. Just across from the petting zoo, “Captain Jack Sparerib” performs magic shows for children in front of a dilapidated pirate ship. Each day there are also multiple shows at the Sea Lion Splash attraction, where sea lions perform tricks and take photos with fair attendees.
With Merced being an agricultural county, the fair is also an opportunity to celebrate the work that farmers and students have put into animal rearing across the county. Each day, students from Merced County high schools will show animals they have raised in 4-H and Future Farmers of America, which are free for all to enjoy.
At the three stages throughout the fairground, there will also be free concerts throughout the weekend, along with clowns, hypnotism and other performances.
Rides and games
Activities in the midway can quickly add up, but purchasing tickets for rides and games in advance can help you save money on the carnival too.
Most rides cost 5 or 6 tickets each and games are 10 tickets each. In the kids’ carnival, rides are typically 4 or 5 tickets each.
It’s easy to get lost in the many ticket-buying options, but the essential information is that you must buy a wristband to play the games and ride the carnival attractions. You can either purchase a wristband for a set amount of tickets or a wristband for unlimited rides. There is a third option for a wristband that allows you to enjoy unlimited rides and comes with game tickets too.
The unlimited ride wristband costs $40 Wednesday and Thursday, and $45 from Friday to Sunday, but you can save $7 by purchasing them in advance at FoodMaxx or Savemart.
Figure out food options before you buy
No day at the fair is complete without some tasty fair food, preferably on a stick or coated in powdered sugar, but make sure to plan ahead to get the biggest bang for your buck. By scouting out food options in advance, you can make sure to get try the fair foods you are most excited about.
During my visit it was 95 degrees, but temperatures are expected to hit triple digits this weekend, so hydration is essential.
I got a pineapple agua fresca from Pepe’s Fruit & Aguas for $8 plus tax which certainly helped defray some of the impact of the heat. If you’re staying at the fair for a full day, you might consider purchasing a larger drink from Pepe’s, Slush Puppie, or other vendors who offer novelty cups that come with free refills throughout the day.
Luis Lara, a member of the Merced County Fair board, said affordability has been a key focus in planning this year’s fair.
“We try to make everything affordable,” from rides to grandstand entertainment, said Lara, “... all you need is…admission at the minimum, and there’s plenty to see and plenty to do out here.”
Lastly, don’t forget to take advantage of the free shuttle service that The Bus will be running through the fair. Shuttle A will pick up fairgoers at the transportation center on 16th and O Street. Shuttle B will pick up at the Park and Ride lot at M Street and Bellevue. Both shuttles operate every 30 minutes between 5 p.m. and 12:30 a.m.
