The county fair is a tradition as old as it is beloved. The Central Valley alone is host to local events of every size, featuring celebrations dedicated to every vegetable and season of harvest. This year the Merced County May Day Fair Board has appointed a new grand marshal to help make the spring fair bigger and better than ever.
Robert Walker, a decade-long supporter of county activities, has been recognized for his diligence and looks forward to being an official part of the May Day Fair. Walker has been lending a helping hand to various county events as a concessions manager for over 40 years.
As a long-time volunteer and community member, Walker was asked to be part of the event staff for his diligent efforts and connection to the valley.
Living in Turlock, Walker has been a huge part of the Stanislaus County Fair and numerous others across the Valley. From Monterey to our hometown, Walker has assisted with the spring fairtime festivities all across the state.
Initially getting involved due to his connections with so many people in and around his hometown, Walker has earned the title of grand marshal through his decades of hard work throughout various counties. Not only have his efforts been widespread, but the amount of communities Walker has interacted with has only grown in his time with the fair.
He lightheartedly claims, “You don’t get to be in the business for over 40 years without getting to know a few people.”
Although Walker had contributed decades of time and effort to helping run fairs in various counties, it was still a surprise when the president of the Merced County May Day Fair Board offered him the position as grand marshal over dinner one night.
“It shocked me,” said Walker. “I’d seen a lot of Marshals and directors come through and never expected to be asked, really.”
To add an extra layer of unexpectedness, the acting president was a lifelong friend, and Walker had known him for nearly the man’s entire life. “I’d known him since he was a kid,” Walker thinks back to the night of that dinner, amused. “Years ago he was one of the first directors…it was a real ‘full circle’ moment for sure.”
Earning the status of grand marshal is no small feat, yet even with official backing, Walker will treat his duties with the same duty and respect he has for the last few decades. Though it is a great honor, he insists that “it won’t change the way I look at the fair.”
Though currently looking forward to accepting his duties as grand marshal of the fair board, Walker ended his time as concessions manager with a bang and was inducted into the Western Fairs Association Hall of Fame in 2021.
Shortly after his induction, he handed over his duties in the Monterey area to his trusted assistant Kelly and is now waiting to receive an agenda for his first official duties with the Board.
The May Day Fair is in better hands than ever thanks to this addition and the official lineup. The Valley is grateful for Walker’s past work and looking forward to yet another springtime celebration.
