For many in Merced County, the arrival of spring heralds one thing: fair season. The Merced County Spring Fair is a time-honored tradition, bringing the community together to celebrate agriculture, entertainment and local talent.
This year, the 2025 fair’s theme, “Cows, Plows and Oh Wows!” perfectly embodies this spirit, thanks to Dos Palos High School sophomore Courtney Fernandes.
Fernandes’ essay stood out in the annual contest sponsored by the Spring Fair Heritage Foundation, earning her a $500 scholarship and the honor of seeing her theme shape every aspect of the fair.
Her proposal captures the agricultural roots of the event while incorporating the fun and excitement of fair attractions, creating a catchy and meaningful slogan.
For Fernandes, winning the contest was an achievement rooted in persistence and creativity. “I felt pretty proud of myself because I had entered one last year and didn’t get it,” she said. “I tried again this year with a new theme, and I felt proud because I think it’s really big. The theme is, overall, something the fairgoers are going to look at—it’s the main theme of the fair.”
Fernandes’ winning theme began with her love for writing and connection to the fair’s history. Last year, her essay focused on the fair’s origins as a gathering for farmers and ranchers.
Although that theme didn’t win, it inspired her to develop “Cows, Plows and Oh Wows!” one she describes as “clicky and more out there,” appealing to a broader audience while staying true to the fair’s agricultural roots.
“I think people will connect with the fact that there are cows at the fair and that the fair is based around agriculture and farming, which is where the plow comes from,” Fernandes said.
“And ‘Oh Wows’—that’s anything people see at the fair that amazes them, like the rides or attractions.”
Agriculture has been a cornerstone of Fernandes’ life since childhood.
“I’ve been around a ranch since I was born and started showing beef cattle when I was five,” she said. “It became my sport for my whole life until now.”
Her involvement in organizations like Future Farmers of America (FFA) and 4-H has only deepened her passion for agriculture and her commitment to sharing its value with others.
Fernandes’ win allowed her to combine her love for writing, creativity and agriculture.
“I’ve always liked writing since I was little, and it’s always been one of my favorite things to do,” she said.
The experience has also reinforced her future aspirations to study agricultural education and science in college, as becoming an agriculture teacher is her goal.
Fernandes’ advice to future participants is simple: “Just keep pushing yourself. No matter what, you have more chances. Ask people around you for help with ideas and keep pushing through.”
Fair Manager Cinnamon Howell expressed the significance of engaging local youth in this process.
“Our youth are the heartbeat of our community,” she said. “Their visions of the fair provide insight into the future of agriculture and their role in it. Getting their input is something we treasure because they’re the ones who will shape the future of our city and our fair.”
She added that the theme is more than just a slogan: it becomes a guiding force for the event’s branding, décor and promotional efforts.
This year, “Cows, Plows and Oh Wows!” will influence everything from the official fair poster to the yard signs, digital advertisement and on-site decorations.
Vendor Coordinator Maribel Esparza explained that the essay contest’s selection process involves a committee’s anonymous voting to ensure fairness and highlight creativity.
Although entries vary from year to year—this year received five essays compared to as many as ten in the past—Fernandes’ submission stood out for its humor, originality and clear vision.
“Seeing her essay come to life from a simple idea to a theme embraced by the entire community is exciting,” Howell said. “It becomes part of the fair’s historical record, something we’ll look back on for years to come.”
Beyond its historical significance, the theme’s playful nature is already resonating with the community.
“It’s hard not to laugh or get excited,” Fernandes wrote, describing an imagined scene of cows using plows against the backdrop of a Ferris wheel.
This blend of charm, nostalgia and excitement makes “Cows, Plows and Oh Wows!” a fitting theme for the 2025 fair.
As Merced County prepares for another fair season, Fernandes’ theme will guide its events and decorations, inspiring excitement and fostering a deeper connection to the fair’s roots.
From livestock competitions to thrilling rides, the fair promises to deliver plenty of “oh wows!” for all attending.
