The Merced County Fair Board of Directors has appointed John Allgaier as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Merced County Fair (35th District Agricultural Association), effective July 1. He succeeds longtime CEO Teresa Burrola, who retired after nearly 27 years of service.
Allgaier brings more than 30 years of experience in fair industry including live entertainment, event productions, strategic planning and marketing. He was selected from a competitive pool of candidates through a formal recruitment process conducted in partnership with the California Department of Food & Agriculture (CDFA).
“John stood out for his deep industry knowledge, creative vision and collaborative spirit,” said Mark Erreca, Fair Board President. “We’re excited to welcome him to Merced and confident he’ll help our Fair, building on our rich history and tradition while expanding us into the future.”
Allgaier is Founder of BigMe Events, a live performance and event management firm formed in 2011, and President of BC Characters Inc., a live performance and touring company established in 1991. He also consults with public agencies and nonprofits, specializing in growth strategies and operational planning. His fair industry experience includes roles as Interim Marketing Director for the San Mateo County Fair, and Talent Buyer and Entertainment Coordinator for the Riverside County Fair & Date Festival and the Yuma County Fair.
“I’m honored and excited to step into this role at such a meaningful time, as the Fair just finished a successful run!” said John Allgaier, incoming Merced County Fair CEO. “The Merced County Fair has a longstanding reputation for bringing the community together to celebrate agriculture, education and entertainment. I look forward to building on that strong foundation with fresh ideas and energy – working with our Fair Board, Friends of the Fair Board, staff and many community partners.”
As CEO, Allgaier will be responsible for leading the 133rd Merced County Fair, scheduled for June 10-14, 2026, and for overseeing the year-round operations of the fairgrounds. A key focus will be diversifying revenue sources through interim rentals and programming, as well as grow the Fair’s annual attendance. Plans are underway for diverse entertainment, expanded youth engagement programs and continued investment in community partnerships.
In his first months as CEO, Allgaier plans to meet with community leaders, agricultural partners, local businesses and nonprofits to listen, learn and explore opportunities for deeper collaboration. His goal is to carry forward the Fair’s mission to meet the needs of the community by providing a fun, safe venue to celebrate Merced County’s agricultural heritage, discover new technology and deliver high-quality entertainment.
The Board also extends its appreciation to outgoing CEO Teresa Burrola for her nearly 27 years of dedicated leadership, which helped grow the Fair’s impact across Merced County.
“Teresa’s passion for the Fair and the community, beautifying the Fair, coupled with her drive to get things done, made her an effective and enjoyable leader,” added Erreca. “We’re incredibly grateful for her work to lead the Fair through unprecedented times for the region, tackle big infrastructure projects and leave us with a strong foundation for continued growth. We look forward to working with John to build on that legacy and take the Merced County Fair to new heights.”
