Hilmar Cheese Barn complete
The Merced County Fairgrounds recently marked the completion of its first new building in more than three decades.
The new 33,800-square-foot Hilmar Cheese Barn came to fruition after an eight-year campaign to fund the $1.2 million building, according to a news release. Organizers have dubbed it “the big barn.”
Hundreds of sponsors helped pay for construction, and the barn’s namesake Hilmar Cheese pledged $250,000.
“The support received from our community – both through individuals and businesses – to make the Hilmar Cheese Barn a reality was incredible and we would not be here today celebrating if it weren’t for them,” Richard Regalo, president of Friends of the Merced County Fair Board, said in a news release. “Livestock and agriculture are the backbone of not only our community, but the Merced County Fair.”
The Hilmar Cheese Barn is the largest construction project on the fairgrounds in the last 34 years, according to a news release. It was built to replace the existing swine barns, which were first built by the Works Progress Administration in 1939 and were in poor condition, organizers said.
Officials have said the new barn can be used for livestock, but also could attract other vendors to the fairgrounds. The large space for swine comes with more wash racks, better lighting and ventilation, and other modernizations, according to a news release.
The big barn could attract farm shows, car shows, private events, community events and other activities. Officials said the barn needs continued funding.
The support received from our community – both through individuals and businesses – to make the Hilmar Cheese Barn a reality was incredible and we would not be here today celebrating if it weren’t for them.
Richard Regalo
president of Friends of the Merced County Fair Board“We are so grateful to Friends of the Merced County Fair and the many sponsors that made the Hilmar Cheese Barn possible,” said Teresa Burrola, CEO of the Merced County Fair, in the news release. “To have this level of facility for our 4-H and FFA members to show in during the annual fair is incredible.”
This year’s Merced County Fair, which is themed “5 Best Days of Summer,” is June 8-12 at the fairgrounds, 900 Martin Luther King Jr. Way. The barn is expected to be in operation.
This story was originally published May 9, 2016 at 6:07 PM with the headline "Hilmar Cheese Barn complete."