Merced County Nut Festival returns to fairgrounds, celebrating community and ag industry
There was music, dancing, food and a good time had at the Merced County Nut Festival, which was held at the Merced County Fairgrounds on Saturday.
The festival was introduced in 2019 to celebrate Merced County’s almond, walnut and pistachio industry, including all the people who contribute, including the growers, equipment manufacturers and operators, hullers, distributors and those who work in the orchards.
Nuts has always been one of the leading products produced in Merced County, with orchards found in just about every corner of the county.
“We’re celebrating what actually binds us in our community, our whole county together — walnuts, almonds and pistachios,” said festival president/organizer Necola Adams.
The Merced County Nut Festival returned on Saturday after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Admission was free and the event was held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.
Adams says this year’s event was almost double the size of the festival in 2019. Adams says going forward the Merced County Nut Festival will be an annual event, held on the fourth Saturday in October.
“We added extra space this year and that extra space filled up like that,” Adams said. “We had to literally turn away vendors this year.”
This year’s festival attracted approximately 65 vendors who sold nuts, dried fruits, crafts, sweets, cookies and other items. There was fair-like food offered including corn dogs, kettle corn, tri-tip sandwiches, hot dogs and lemonade.
There was face painting for kids and other children activities. There were other booths occupied by law enforcement agencies, local school districts, colleges and organizations.
Plus, Mike Hammar and the Nails and Los Amigos Band performed live music on stage. When the bands weren’t playing there was a DJ playing music.
“I think it’s really important for Merced County to support our commodities that we have,” said Merced County Supervisor Josh Pedrozo, who attended the festival. “I think it’s really important that we do that and we recognize the important value of it.”
According to Adams, any money raised by the festival will be donated to organizations helping youths in Merced County.
Pedrozo said he was happy to see so many people attending the event.
“Honestly, there’s a lot of people out here,” Pedrozo said. “I didn’t know how many people would be here but I like the fact that it’s garnered a lot of public support.”
