Fair concerts heat up summer nights

Can you smell it? No, not the stalls at the livestock barns; I’m talking about the smell of freshly fried dough, caramel dipped apples — and maybe a little bit of straight off the farm animal odor. It’s fair time in the 209 once again. Besides the food, one of the best things about fair time in the 209 are the live entertainment options. Fairs around the region bring in artists every summer from country favorites to rock legends, and the shows are included in the price of fair admission. Along with great concerts close to home, local fairs also offer motorsports and rodeo events sure to keep fairgoers’ adrenaline rushing.

Here is a list of events happening at local fairs this summer:

Merced Fair

June 4-8

Families are invited to ‘Let the Good Times Roll’ at the 2025 Merced County Fair. This year marks the 133rd year of operation for the fair. The Merced County Fair annually welcomes nearly 70,000 people from throughout Valley for its five-day run.

The Merced Fair concert lineup includes TLR – Experience the Eagles (June 4), Journey Revisited (June 5), Rodney Atkins (June 6), WAR (June 7) and Selena Super Show (June 8). Grandstand shows include two nights of Merced Speedway Auto Racing, Valley Tractor Pullers, Destruction Derby and Jaripeo Tremendo.

For more information about all the entertainment, Grandstand Shows and ticket prices, visit mercedcountyfair.com.

Mother Lode Fair

June 26-29

The Mother Lode Fair will return this year with Starry Nights & Carnival Lights.

Arena events scheduled for the Mother Lode Fair start with ATV and Moto Rodeo on June 27, followed by Truck and Tractor Pulls on June 28 and 29. Admission for arena events are now included in Fair tickets.

Concerts at the Fair include Leilani & The Distractions, The Essentials and HipNosis June 26), Randy Mandy & The Frequency Experience, King Hippo and Sons of Rock n Roll (June 27) Skull Country, North Fork and Breakaway (June 28) and Tarantula & The Turtle Doves, Slow Pony, Replication and Moonshine Crazy (June 29). For more information, visit: motherlodefair.org

Stanislaus County Fair

July 11-20

The 112th Stanislaus County Fair is set to open on July 11 for its 10 days and nights of arena events and live entertainment.

The Stanislaus County Fair has confirmed a great lineup for the Variety Free Stage. Coming to the Fair are Drake Milligan (July 11), Ash Ruder (July 12), Los Nuevos Ilegales (July 13), Confunkshun (July 14), Hunter Hayes (July 15), Jefferson Starship (July 16), Taking Back Sunday (July 17), Ozomatli (July 18), Locash (July 19) and Banda Renovación (July 20). There are also two other stages that will have live entertainment every day.

The Foodmaxx Arena will showcase a variety of action-packed events including the tractor pulls (July 11 and 12), bloodless bullfights (July 13),destruction derby (July 15 and 16), monster trucks (July 16 and 17), ATV Rodeo (July 18), AMP Racing Motocross (July 19) and Hispanic rodeo (July 20).

Learn more about all of the bands, arena events and attractions planned for this year’s Fair at stancofair.com.