The End of an Era at Merced

In 2020 due to the pandemic of COVID, there were a lot of changes.  One of them was moving the Big Valley RA shows from Stockton to Merced.   We had a post describing the situation.

Northern California Angora Guild: Nice New Venue at Merced

BVRA had 3 show dates a year at this venue and we enjoyed showing there.   

In 2022, Albert and I got to meet Teresa Burrola, CEO of the fairgrounds when we adopted two white kittens that were born at the fairgrounds.   

Northern California Angora Guild: Betty Welcomes Two White Kittens 

Teresa and I really hit it off and we became good friends.   In addition to having a good time showing rabbits at the Merced fairgrounds, I got to have visits from Teresa two to three times a year and had a wonderful time; it was no different this year when Teresa came to visit at the BVRA show on September 13, 2025.  The difference this time is that Teresa had retired in July, she is enjoying her life without the stress and responsibilities of the CEO job, if you look at this photo, you can see her happiness and relaxation in her face.    Teresa devoted 27 years of her life to the Merced fair of which 10 years as the CEO.    It's the end of an important era.    

Judge Ray Stacy has been a part of the Big Valley Rabbit Association for 30 years.  Started as one of the board members then took over as the president of the club.   He and his family were responsible for hosting the shows, setting up, tearing down and whatever was needed to make the show happen and he worked as the superintendent of the shows and judging when needed.  

Dolores is the secretary of the club as well as the most well-known and most-respected show secretary in the country working not only at the BVRA shows but also ARBA conventions and shows all over the country.  The club started with an outside show secretary Louise White (now Louise Painter) then quickly transitioned to the in-club secretary Rita Peralta, Dolores was the assistant to Rita until Rita became ill and unforunately passed away.  Dolores took over the job with excellence.   Dolores's husband Mike was the show superintendent for many years until he passed away and Ray took over as the show superintendent.   Believe it or not, I eyewitnessed all these transitions.    

This is the scene I saw when I packed up my rabbits and equipment at the end of the show on September 13, 2025.  All good things have to come to an end sooner or later.   Ray announced that this would be the last show BVRA sponsored as of now.  Whether there would be any other show activities by BVRA, it's unknown, but not likely to happen again.  Ray and Dolores will continue to judge, to show, to do show secretary work for other clubs but not going to have BVRA big open/youth all breed shows agin.

This is Ray Stacy's post on Facebook.   It's a wrap.

Teresa's retirement and BVRA's ceasing shows are unrelated.  However, it is the reality that there are always changes.  We appreciate Teresa's great job at the Merced fair, we are grateful that BVRA gave us 30 years of happy show memories. 
  
It's the end of an Era at Merced.

This ends the report about the September 13, 2025 BVRA shows at Merced, this post also ends the report of BVRA shows and shows located at Merced.  So long Merced, hope one day we'll come back.  At the meantime, we'll see everyone in shows sponsored by other clubs at other venues.