NEWMAN — The 2026 Newman Fall Festival brought residents, families and visitors together for a weekend of competitions, entertainment and community pride. From baking and sports tournaments to the annual parade and car show, the festival showcased local talent across dozens of categories.
Volleyball Tournament
Lower Division 1st: “Here’s A Tip” — Trisha Gray (Newman), Fernando Gamez (Modesto), Isai Rodriguez (Turlock), Olysses Rosales (Turlock) 2nd: “Tear Boots Down” — Sara Fresquez, Matt Flinders, Ashlynn Bell, Cade Lobo (all Newman)
Upper Division 1st: “Yodie Gang” — Kimilo Sumait (Patterson), Luke Rossi (Modesto), Emiliano Lopez (Patterson), Johan Pena (Patterson) 2nd: “Ball Bangers” — Samuel Ramirez (Patterson), VJ Vae (Turlock), Aaron Palad (Patterson), JJ Ayo (Patterson)
Baking Contest
Cakes/Cupcakes 1st: Ferrero Rocher Cupcakes — Silvia Fernandez 2nd: Pumpkin Coffee Cake — Olga Mendoza 3rd: Pumpkin Roll — Jennifer Martinez; Spiced Apple Cider Cupcakes — Cathy Plata
Cookies/Macarons 1st: Carrot Cake Cookies — Victoria Sanchez 2nd: Burnt Almond Cookies — Cathleen Trayer 3rd: Walnut Baklava — Katie Zuniga
Bars/Brownies 1st: Snickerdoodle Cheesecake Bars — Becky Reeves 2nd: Fudgy Brownie Delight — Olga Mendoza 3rd: Mixed Fruit Brownie Dessert — Annette Bettencourt Michaels
Breads/Muffins 1st: Jalapeño Cheddar Sourdough — Rebecca Matthews 2nd: Carrot Muffins — Silvia Fernandez 3rd: Trensa — Yolanda Garcia
Pies/Cobblers 1st: Biscoff Cheesecake — Silvia Fernandez 2nd: E’s Crumbly Pecan Cobbler — Evette Lopez 3rd: Apricot Cobbler — Gloria Robinson
Children’s Division 1st: Sourdough Sandwich Bread — Emily Robinson 2nd: Peanut Butter Cookies — Eric Martinez 3rd: Confetti Crispy Brownie Bars — Kaylani Nikole Osgood
Best of Show Ferrero Rocher Cupcakes — Silvia Fernandez
Cornhole Tournament
Backyard/Social Division 1st: Rafael Garcia & partner 2nd: Shaun & Jayce Caetano 3rd: Doug Begonia & partner
Advanced/Competitive Division 1st: Cristobal Compa Mora & Nelson Rhino Cornejo 2nd: Margarito Montez & Bobby Tovar 3rd: Caitlyn Medeiros & Nathaniel Rhoads
Parade Awards
Floats 1st: Stewart & Jasper Orchards Company Store 2nd: Miss Gustine & Her Court 3rd: Patterson Apricot Fiesta
Bands 1st: Gustine High Marching Reds 2nd: Orestimba High School Warrior Marching Band
Color Guard 1st: Gustine Veterans Honor Guard — VFW Post 7635 2nd: Gustine High Marching Reds Color Guard
Automobiles 1st: Westside Landscape & Concrete 2nd: Jose Rosas 3rd: Jesse Rosas
Automobile Clubs 1st: Modesto Area Vettes
Novelty (Dance Groups) 1st: Powers Productions 2nd: Orestimba High School Cheerleaders 3rd: The Westside Fiesta Mexicana
Novelty (Local Clubs/Organizations) 1st: Newman Warriors Youth Football & Cheer Organization
Novelty (Miscellaneous) 1st: Central Valley Auto Sales & Repair 2nd: Stephens & Borrelli Inc. 3rd: VPT Transportation & S&S Trucking
Mounted Categories Walking Sheriff’s Posse 1st: Alameda County Sheriff’s Mounted Posse
Novelty Mounted Group — Open 1st: Quadrille Queens
Sheriff’s Posse Silver Mounted 1st: Merced County Sheriff’s Posse
Plain Western — Open 1st: Rosie Schearing
Novelty Mounted — Open 1st: The Mountain Man, Gary Beck
Vehicle/Horse Drawn 1st: Duarte Farms
Local Everyday Rider 1st: Alexandra Duarte for State Senate
Ladies Side Saddle — Open 1st: Charlie Alamo
In‑Hand Class 1st: Joanne Hoefer 2nd: Liam Cherry
Best Theme Entry Stephens & Borrelli Inc.
Best Newman Entry Westside Landscape & Concrete
Parade Sweepstakes Orestimba High School Cheerleaders
Mounted Sweepstakes Merced County Sheriff’s Posse
Park Entertainment
Pets on Parade Most Unique: Sadie (Newman Animal Shelter) & Lola (Eleanor Pereira) Smallest: Trixie (Teresa Smith) Biggest: Bubba (Alexis Zavala) Best Dressed: Champ (Sky Maldonado) Owner Lookalike: Diamond (Laura Lopez)
Battle of the Bands 1st: “Overdrive” — Liam Washburn, Sean Johnson, Calvin Garza 2nd: “Relapse” — Caleb Ramirez, Dylan Norton, Dylan Souza 3rd: “Cranium” — Carlos Santos Jr., Paul Guzman, Meatball, Alexander Torres, Lucas Veloz, Bryan Rivera
Newman’s Got Talent 1st: Johnny Payton (JP) 2nd: Joe Moitozo Jr. 3rd: JD Motley
Softball Tournament
Local Division 1st: “It Is What It Is” — Kathy Peña, Crue Correa, Milania Castañeda, Natalia Castañeda, Hermay Castañeda, Zach Anglin, Doc D, Stevie De la Cruz, Brian Hoar, Shorty Medeiros, Mauria Reed, Marisa Longoria, Harley Quinn, Jade Dean, Malibu Anglin, Melissa Kelly, Elianna Garcia, Ezra Gil, Andy Guzman, Cesar Anaya, Amicaya Flores 2nd: “GVO” — Matthew Yruegas, Jose Morales, Carlos Rios, John Lawrence, Lio Rodriguez, Armando Garcia, Audrey Corella, Shannon Bell, Cassandra Aguilera, Yadira Castillo, Amber Lawrence
Out of Town Division 1st: “Goon Platoon” — Christopher Steeley, Isabel Davis, Anthony Arellano, Tim Paulson, Gabriel Jimenez, Amber Engel, Jiselle Lewis, Destiny Garcia, Robert Garcia, Danielle Pasos, Brittany Bye 2nd: “TSD” — Levi Munoz, Jose Munoz, Heaven Mazon, Colton Stonum, Aiden Larimer, Ryan Larimer, Moises Barajas, Jesus Moreno, Madelyn Mayo‑Garza, Aundrea Vierra, Payton McDaniel, Myla Sherman
Car Show Winners
Police Chief Choice Bill Garrigan — 1970 Chevy Chevelle (Tracy)
Chairman’s Choice Fidel & Gloria Garcia — 2005 Chevy Corvette (Turlock)
Fire Chief Choice John & Nancy Pimentel — 1929 Ford Model A (Newman)
Grand Marshal’s Choice David & Bernadette Pimentel — 1965 Ford Mustang (Los Banos)
Mayor’s Choice Victor Arroyo — 1963 Chevy C10 pickup (Newman)
Miss Newman Choice Lucas Velaz — 1951 Chevy Fleetside (Patterson)
