The Stanislaus County Fair is over halfway into its 10-day run in Turlock and local FFA and 4-H members are not only enjoying success with animal entries but all are thankful that temperatures have remained less than the triple digits which plagued last year’s event.

Central Valley High School FFA member Aaralyn Jauregui guided her 268-pound Yorkshire swine entry named Modrick into Monday’s market showing and placed third – a big accomplishment in her second year at the fair.

“I feel more successful here doing a pig,” said Jauregui who last year brought a lamb to the fair. “I feel it’s easier than a lamb; they’re high maintenance and pigs are low maintenance. It’s about how much dedication you put into your livestock. I know some people take this as a sport but since it’s my first year (in swine) getting more involved, it’s different.”

Jauregui has been nurturing Modrick since March when he started out at around 60 pounds.

Others in the club posted a great showing on Monday. Audrey Rico was first in class Yorkshire while Madyson Daniels was second in the Any Other Breed class. Angelica Hernandez earned second in class dark cross pig, a cross breed that exhibits any dark pigmentation.

All 11 of Central Valley High FFA pigs will sell at the Fair Junior’s Livestock Auction at 8 a.m. on Saturday, July 19.

On Monday, Emma Ludwig, a member of both the Central Valley High School FFA and Westport 4-H, reflected on her fair experience with her black-face sheep. She showed the animal Monday night and returns to the judging arena today.

“I like talking to random people, it makes me outgoing,” said Ludwig. “I have to talk to them and get to know them and it’s fun to know new people and what they show.”

Ludwig has been raising her sheep the past five months and while she says she’s used to letting go of her animals at the end of the fair in past years, it’s an emotionally time.

 “I still get sad but it just takes time,” said Ludwig. “I cry a little but it takes times.”

Animals sold at the fair are generally slaughtered for their meat.

In Ludwig’s case, her animal weighs in at 149 pounds. If she sells it for $3 per pound, she’ll reap $447 – money which covers the feed and goes towards her next animal project.

Like Ludwig, Jauregui enjoys meeting FFA members from other schools.

“Even when you’re showing, like the people next to you that you’re competing against, it’s good to talk them and know things about them.”

Central Valley High goat adviser Miguel Vasquez said everyone is appreciative of the somewhat less intense temperatures during this week at the fair and only expected things to drop a few degrees.

“The animals aren’t stressed,” he said on Monday when temperatures were approaching 98 at mid-day. “The heat gets to them. They’re really sensitive to the temperatures.”

CV rabbit exhibitors competed in showmanship over the weekend. In the Novice division, Kavanh Keomuangchanh placed eighth overall out of 44 showing. In the Intermediate class Rachel Somsak showed and KaDynce Piceno placed eighth overall while Aubrey Gibbons was first overall.

In advanced rabbit showmanship, Ailene Duran showed while Cassie Guzman placed second overall.

In Replacement Dairy Heifer competition, Barbara Mejia of CVHS FFA showed her replacement heifer Sprinkles for the first time and earned a first place blue ribbon in Novice Showmanship.

A total of 23 Ceres High School FFA members are showing swine, sheep, goats and beef at the Fair, said ag teacher Mardel Runnels. Among the Ceres High success stories at the Fair was Monday morning’s performance of Nehemiah Valenzuela who won Reserve Champion Duroc, meaning she placed second best in the Duroc swine breed.

“I’m excited – I got a banner and ribbon,” said Valenzuela, who graduated from Ceres High in June. Graduates who are in FFA are allowed to remain in the organization for another year. 

“What a way to go out for her final fair,” commented Ceres High School ag teacher Allison Ward.

Valenzuela is permitted to enter next year’s fair if she is working toward the American FFA Degree. To qualify members must earn $10,000 toward their project. She plans to study Animal Science at Modesto Junior College with a possible career as an ag teacher.

Ward said this year the bird flu caused the fair to cancel turkey entries. The fair also arranged for a modified dairy show.

“Instead of them staying longer, they’re only here for one day.”

A recurring theme at the opening night of the 2025 Stanislaus County Fair— the 107th edition of the annual event — was the heat. Sure, it wasn’t 108 degrees like last year, but 102 on Friday afternoon wasn’t too far off.

Regardless, the show went on, with the usual lines at the entrances forming an hour before gates opened at 4 p.m., large crowds to watch the FFA and 4-H kids show off their animals, and a wave of people ready to rock out to country singer Drake Milligan.

First in line this year were Whitney Camp of Modesto and Candice Hilton of La Palma, who arrived right at 3 p.m. in hopes of sitting in the front row for the Milligan concert at the Variety Free Stage. Milligan is Hilton’s favorite artist.

“Oh, I love him,” Hilton said. “My favorite song is ‘Don’t Leave Me Loving You.’”

She got her wish, as the song was one of several played, along with hits “Sounds Like Something I’d Do” and “Honky Tonkin’ About.”

One of his opening acts was “Bad Day to be Beer,” and proclaimed he “loved the Stanislaus County Fair” as audience members sang along.

Also braving the heat were the regular FFA and 4-H chapters from throughout Stanislaus County and neighboring cities.

The animal exhibits were emptier than other years with there being no birds like chickens or turkeys because of the bird flu that was spreading across the country during the winter months. Still gracing the barns with their large presence were the cows, who were wrapping up shows by the evening.

“Definitely have to take care of them in this heat,” said Neil Durrer of Wood Colony 4-H, who was seen filling up a tub of cold water alongside Joseph Rebiero for his Holstein to drink from. “Just feeding them water shame helps… Every time we do a show, we get them water.

“Every morning we’ve been giving them baths to clean them of dirt and everything else, but it helps with the heat, too.”

Also heating up (and filling the air with roaring revving) were the engines from the annua truck and tractor pulling competitions at the FoodMaxx Arena.

On the other end of the fairgrounds near the exhibit buildings was a new format to the children’s area, as many rides were moved forward, closer to the famous Arch Gate, and under trees to be under the shade for longer periods of time.

Near the children’s rides are a handful of new food spots tailored just for them, such as pizza, Jumbo Grilled Cheese and Fried Potato on a Stick, Korean Shack (Korean corndogs), and the Dough Show (super soft cookies).

“A lot of new things, fun activities for those of all ages,” said CEO Kim Williams at Thursday’s media day. “We can’t wait for everybody to join us this year.”

On weekdays, the fairgrounds will open to the general public at 4 p.m. On weekends, the gates open at noon. Grounds close each day at midnight. The ticket office will also be open every day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Remaining headline acts are:

• Jefferson Starship on Tuesday, July 16.

• “Taking Back Sunday” performs on Thursday, July 17.

• Iconic Latin Fusion band “Ozomatli” will perform on Friday, July 18.

• Locash will take the stage on Saturday, July 19.

• Banda Renovación is bringing their unmistakable Sinaloan sound to the Fair on Sunday, July 20.

For more information, head to www.stancofair.com. 

– Courier reporter Christopher Correia contributed to this report