The O’Banion Building at the Los Banos fairgrounds filled with anticipation as community members gathered for the kick-off dinner and May Day Queen Coronation.
The annual dinner is more than just a tradition. It is a celebration of Los Banos history, community pride and the young women who represent the agricultural roots of Los Banos.
Tables dressed in sunflowers and spring colors and the hum of conversation created an exciting atmosphere that felt deeply rooted in tradition.
At the center of the kick-off dinner is the crowning of the May Day Queen. Each contestant is accompanied by their courts and escort. Dressed in formal gowns, the contestants moved through the room with poise and grace as they were introduced to the dinner attendees.
The contestants Jaci Bretz and Karley Rocha were eager to share the stage, as they have been friends throughout high school. Both Bretz and Rocha have been dedicated to Future Farmers of America (FFA) throughout their high school journey.
Rocha was crowned May Day Queen for the 2026 May Day Spring Fair. She described winning as being a full-circle moment.
“I grew up, when I was little, hearing my aunt talk about when she ran for May Day, and watching my cousins go through the same experience. Getting to be up there and getting to share the picture on the wall with my family members that aren’t still with us is really special for me,” she said.
Rocha, a Los Banos High School senior, will be attending Oklahoma State University in the fall.
First runner-up, Jaci Bretz, stated that running for May Day Queen was a rewarding experience. “It’s honestly been a really amazing experience, preparing for the interviews and the project, because they present you with a prompt, and you have to do your research on it to give a presentation.
“I learned a lot by doing my research, and we got to use a really cool prompt,” she concluded. Bretz, a Los Banos High School senior, will be attending Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in the fall.
Before the crowning of Miss May Day, the FFA Heritage team gave their presentation on the history of May Day. The Heritage Foundation was founded in 2011 by Pat Gallichio, who was fair director for 20 years.
Since its founding, the foundation has raised 2.6 million for youth scholarship awards and raised money to improve the youth livestock portion of the fairgrounds.
Gallichio was inspired to create the foundation when California cut off horse racing funds for fairs. All of the money raised by the foundation goes back into the community.
“Since we started the Heritage Foundation, listening to them give their presentation, the passion of these young individuals is there.
“You’ll see in tonight’s presentation that the passion of these young individuals is amazing, and it just overwhelms me to see them grow from when they were younger to where they are now,” said Gallichio.
Fair Grand Marshal Hans Younce was honored at the event and gave a speech expressing his gratitude to the fair board for choosing him. Younce, a longtime employee of The Morning Star Company, has been extremely supportive of pouring back into 4-H and FFA youth, as well as the community as a whole.
He secured funding for the Morning Star Pavilion at the fairgrounds and receives fan mail from youth showing in the fair every year.
As the evening came to a close, the celebration carried a sense of both reflection and anticipation. The crowning of the queen not only honored tradition but highlighted the next generation of leaders in agriculture.
With the Los Banos Spring Fair officially underway, the kickoff dinner set the tone for a week filled with celebration, connection and the continuation of a legacy that defines Los Banos.
