The Stanislaus County Fair wrapped up its 10-day run to what will go down in history books as the hottest on record.
While final numbers are not in, fair officials expected that attendance suffered due to the extreme heat that dogged the entire run of the fair, which began on July 5.
Despite having to endure oppressive heat, Ceres and area Future Farmers of America (FFA) members as well as 4-H members put forth their best efforts and come away from the experience with indelible memories.
In the Market Beef Show, Central Valley High FFAers placed fourth in Beef Chapter Group. Impressive wins were achieved by many in the group, including Joshua Ludwig, first and Dillon Jenkins who made first in class; Briann Tavares, Shi-Ann Woodard and Alex Woods, who made second in class; and Carmen Garibay who placed sixth in class.
Central Valley High School FFA member Joshuah Michelena earned third place in Senior Dairy Showmanship while Isabella Michelena showed as well.
Leyla John placed first in Novice Sheep Showmanship competition.
Garret Garcia earned eighth place in the True Novice Swine Showmanship contest.
Cassie Guzman won first Place FFA Outstanding Ag Horticulture Exhibit while the Beef exhibitors earned third place for Clean Barn.
Ilyana Vidal won a third place ribbon in Novice Poultry Showmanship.
In the Sheep Fitting contest Novice CVHS FFA winners were Briann Tavares, Cassie Guzman and Joshuah Michelena.
More people enjoyed the floriculture exhibits at the Stanislaus County Fair this year than in previous several years due to people finding relief inside the air conditioned buildings.
“We’ve seen increased numbers in floriculture because it’s a covered area and there are misters there,” said Stanislaus County Fair spokesperson Jose Piña.
Piña said that Valley residents tend to be used to the summer heat and that Fair attendance was steady, with more people deciding to wait until later in the evening to visit the fair.
“It’s hot, but we’re used to the heat. The animals are taken care of and the guests are taken of. We added a couple of extra generators in the barns for more fans for the animals. We also added a couple of extra cooling stations and misters throughout the fairgrounds,” he said.
