Thrilling carnival rides, games and fair food return to the Merced County Fairgrounds as Butler Amusements Inc. presents the new: Merced Summer Carnival – Bringing the Fun! This family-friendly event runs Thursday, July 1 – Sunday, July 11 and will feature approximately 20 carnival rides, 12 carnival games and three fair food booths.

Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for children 12 and under, and children 36” tall and under are free. Unlimited Carnival Ride Wristbands are available for $30 at the event. Price paid for admission is credited towards each Unlimited Carnival Ride Wristband purchase. No re-entry will be allowed. For more details, call (209) 722-1506 or visit www.mercedcountyfair.com/merced-summer-carnival.

Monday through Friday hours will be 5 p.m. to midnight; Saturday and Sunday hours are 3 p.m. to midnight. Merced County Fairgrounds – Carnival Lot is at 900 Martin Luther King Jr. Way in Merced. Parking is free; parking available on grounds on a first come, first serve basis.

“We started off with our Fair Food Favorites in May, then our successful Livestock Show and Sale in June and now we’re moving on to thrilling carnival rides in July with Merced Summer Carnival,” said Teresa Burrola, CEO of the Merced County Fair. “We’re grateful for our partnership with Butler Amusements Inc. to bring some summer fun back to the Merced County Fairgrounds for our community to enjoy, as we know this attraction was greatly missed without our traditional fair the last two years.”

Featured carnival rides include: The Giant Gondola Wheel, Freak Out, Rock Star, Himalaya, Raptor, Area 51, The Zipper and more. Featured fair food includes: funnel cakes, ice cream and fried treats such as fried twinkies, snickers and oreos; corn dogs, nachos, popcorn, cotton candy, caramel and candy apples, churros, snocones, fresh squeezed lemonade and lemonade slushees.