Nut Festival to celebrate almond, walnut, pistachio growers

CVV News l October 12, 2024

“Mike Hammar and the Nails” are the headliners at the fourth annual Merced County Nut Festival on Saturday, Oct. 19.

The day will be filled with free performances by local entertainers, food and crafts vendors, industry demonstrations, and more. The public is invited with FREE admission ($1 donation requested) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Merced County Fairgrounds, located at 900 Martin Luther King Jr. Way in Merced.

Vinhos Wine Lounge of Merced will be hosting a Wine Garden where families can come indoors to enjoy meals purchased from any of the many food vendors.

For adults 21 and over, Vinhos owner Andre Santos and his team will be serving selected red, white, and rosé wines from the Vinhos international wine list. In addition, he will be serving craft beers, including a special brew made by Blaker Brewing specifically for Vinhos.

“We will also help pair a wine or beer selection for adults with their food,” Santos said.

A puppet show will delight a younger audience. The show is titled “The Squirrel, The Crow and the Raccoon” and was scripted by local playwright and poet Kim McMillon. Merced Rocks, face painters and other activities will ensure a day of fun for young families.

The popular Bake-Off for recipes using Almonds, Walnuts or Pistachios will pay a $100 CASH PRIZE for winners in Adult and Child Divisions. The judging and awards will be presented on the Main Stage. Entry forms may be found on the Merced County Nut Festival Facebook page.

Also returning is the “Rawhide Express” tram service from Porterville. Their colorful trains and friendly team of Engineers will take guests to and from Parking Areas, and also on tours around the festival. It’s a fun ride, especially if you want to get an overview of the festival without walking so much. And, it’s a free service for guests, volunteers and exhibitors.

“Almost everyone in our community is touched by Merced County’s nut industry,” explains Necola Adams, the festival founder. “It’s something that connects us all and we can have fun celebrating. And everyone that attends can have a wonderful day for a very low cost. The many vendors and food trucks are from the Central Valley. The whole event is put on by volunteers. So we hope everyone comes out and has a wonderful time at our Fourth Annual Merced County Nut Festival!”