BY GWEN HAGAMAN
Contributing Writer
Mike Hammar and the Nails are the headliners at the Fourth Annual Merced County Nut Festival (MCNF) on Saturday, Oct. 19. The day, honoring nut growers from throughout Merced County, 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. Owner André Santos said, “We will help pair a wine or beer selection with their food.” (21 or older for alcoholic beverages.)
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.
A puppet show designed for the MCNF’s children will delight the young audience. The show is titled “The Squirrel, The Crow and the Raccoon” and was scripted by local playwright and poet Kim McMillon. erced 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 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 is touched by Merced County’s nut industry, which includes growers on the county’s Westside. It’s something that connects us all and we can have fun celebrating,” explains Adams. “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!”
