Merced County Fair to feature published authors
People attending the 2015 Merced County Fair will have a chance to meet some of California’s published authors, fair organizers announced this week.
During the fair, which runs June 10-14, writers participating in the new “California Authors” program will be selling their books and signing autographs.
“We have always honored fine arts, crafts, photography, music, dance and other performance arts,” fair CEO Tom Musser said in a news release. “This is an opportunity for the fair to showcase the art of writing. I don’t know of another fair our size that is working to honor our writers. We’re excited about this project, and hope it will become a tradition at our fair.”
The fair invites published authors to apply to participate in the program. Application forms are available at the fair office, 900 Martin Luther King Jr. Way in Merced, and by visiting www.mercedcountyfair.com/pages/fair/authors_15.html.
The theme of the 2015 fair is “5 Best Days of Summer.” Attendance in 2014 was 73,465, organizers said.
Organizers also announced the musical lineup for the fair. John Lee Hooker Jr., son of late blues icon John Lee Hooker, will headline June 12 at the fairground’s Outdoor Theatre.
Also performing in the Outdoor Theatre will be Christian rock band 7eventh Time Down on June 10, which is Opening Day; one-of-a-kind rhythm and blues band Tower of Power on June 11; and country artist Aaron Tippin on June 13.
Each night of the fair will feature a headline entertainment act. All concerts are free with fair admission.
As the fair kickoff inches closer, an important deadline is looming. The deadline for independent junior exhibitors planning to enter goats, sheep or swine is April 13.
Independent junior exhibitors are those who are not 4-H or FFA members, according to a state rule. All independent junior exhibitors entering market animals must provide fair management with photos of their animals; appropriate proof of ownership; and permanent tag, tattoo and/or hog ear notch information.
Independent junior exhibitors entering market animals in the fair also must provide fair organizers with a copy of their birth certificate or driver’s license as proof of age. This is a local requirement.
All required information must be submitted to the fair office at 900 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Merced.
Independent juniors who want to exhibit market sheep, goats or swine at the fair must have been at least 9 years old or in fourth grade as of Jan. 1. Exhibitors are eligible to compete through Dec. 31 of the year they turn 19 years old.
For information, call the fair office at (209) 722-1507, email info@MercedCountyFair.com or go to www.MercedCountyFair.com.
This story was originally published April 7, 2015 at 5:18 PM with the headline "Merced County Fair to feature published authors."