The Merced County Fair announced Thursday the 2023 officer positions for the 35th District Agricultural Association Board of Directors, which was voted on at the Feb. 13 board meeting. Those positions are: Vicky Banaga, President; Luis Lara, First Vice President; and Mark Erreca, Second Vice President.
“The passion for our Fair and our community that Vicky Banaga brings to the table is energizing,” said Teresa Burrola, CEO of the Merced County Fair. “I look forward to working alongside her and the rest of our Fair Board and team to put on this year’s Merced County Fair filled with vibrant music, attractions, delicious food and educational experiences. We want to invite our entire community to come out and come celebrate with us.”
Board President, Vicky Banaga of Le Grand was first appointed to the Merced County Fair Board in 2015 and also served as the Revenue Control Officer from 1996 – 2006. Vicky has been Chief Business Official at the Le Grand Union Elementary School District since 1977. She’s served on several boards in the community, and has been a member of the Merced Elks and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
“Community is everything. Serving the people of Merced County is my passion; it’s a shared passion that also drives the Merced County Fair,” said Vicky Banaga, President of the Merced County Fair Board. “We all have an obligation to give back and make our community better – the Merced County Fair does this by bringing families, friends, and community together in a positive, safe and fun environment. It’s where our youth showcases their hard work and projects. It’s where we celebrate the talents of our community. It’s where people create new memories to treasure and evoke wonderful memories of the past. For me, my most treasured childhood memory of the fair was meeting Slim Andrews, the ‘49er’ when he came to the Merced County Fair in 1963. I was six years old. He was a local celebrity and I was so excited to meet him. My smile in the picture says it all.”
“The fair becomes part of who you are, it gets in your blood. I truly feel blessed to be a lifelong Fairgoer and now serving on the Merced County Fair Board with a great group of people, playing a part in this annual tradition that brings so much joy to our community. This year’s fair will be a big celebration indeed, so todos vengan a la fiesta – the Merced County Fair!” continued Banaga.
First Vice President, Luis Lara of Atwater was first appointed to the Merced County Fair Board in 2019. He has served as a Sergeant for the California Highway Patrol since 2011. Prior to that, Lara held several different positions and locations within the California Highway Patrol since joining it in 1998. He has also served as an instructor at Merced Community College since 2013. Lara is Secretary Treasurer for the Merced School Employees Federal Credit Union Board of Directors. He previously served on the Merced County Spring Fair Board from 2013 to 2018 and as a Board Member of the McSwain Union Elementary School District.
Second Vice President, Mark Erreca of Los Banos was first appointed to the Merced County Fair Board in 2003. He is the Owner of Erreca Cattle Company and has been a realtor since 1994, currently with PMZ Real Estate. Mark is Chair of the Merced County Planning Commission and Past President of the California County Planning Commissioners’ Association. He is a Board Member of the Grassland Resource Conservation District.
