Del Hale Hall Renovation and Field Fire Fork Barbecue Showdown

Hello Neighbor,

On August 2, 2023, after many years of effort, I joined my fellow Merced County Supervisors and Senator Anna Caballero officially breaking ground on the Del Hale Hall Community Center renovation project. Following a Merced County funding request, the renovation project is funded by a $3 million state budget allocation. Both State Senator Anna Caballero and former Assemblyman Adam Gray worked together to secure the funding. In addition to renovating Del Hale Hall, Merced County also plans to relocate the Dos Palos library branch from its current location at the corner of Golden Gate Avenue and Almond Street to its planned location at O’Banion Park, next to Del Hale Hall. That project is funded through a $2.7 million California State Library grant.

The current Dos Palos library branch was built in 1963 and has major structural and accessibility issues. It is the only library within a 17-mile radius. The new 3,561 square-foot library is “shovel-ready,” and the County hopes to complete construction within two years. It will serve as a location for residents to apply for jobs and benefits, access literacy programs, and learn.

I want to give credit to those that helped along the way. Both funding awards are the culmination of hard work and perseverance by the county and community. This is a major win for the residents in and around Dos Palos, and they certainly deserve it. I am grateful to California State Librarian Greg Lucas for this grant opportunity, as well as Senator Anna Caballero, whose budget allocation will now be used towards renovating Del Hale Hall — another critically-important community facility.

This has been a long time coming and I am very excited to finally see it move forward. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2024.

I am pleased to support FIELD FIRE FORK BBQ Showdown, a KCBS Sanctioned Masters Series event that will take place on September 30th at the Merced County Spring Fairgrounds. Last year the Central Valley competition was held in Fresno and was the largest in the state. This year we are excited to welcome BBQ Teams to Los Banos. Competing teams come from all over the Southwest United States. In addition to great barbecue, the Los Banos Rotary Club will be hosting a Beer Garden, there will be music, vendors, and a kid’s faire!

Watermark Associates and the Merced County Sheriff's Operation Christmas Star Program are hosting, and the proceeds will benefit Operation Christmas Star!
This program ensures that all in our community have a wonderful holiday season.

There are four ways you can support this event: compete, sponsor, become a vendor, or buy tickets. Tickets are only $15 per person and include two master BBQ tastes, two beer tastings, entertainment, vendors, and 15 minutes in the Kid’s Faire. Backyard BBQ enthusiasts are encouraged to compete, and there is also booth space available for our non-profit partners as well as vendors. Proceeds from this event support Sheriff Vern Warnke’s Operation Christmas Star Program. For more information, to sponsor, buy tickets or compete, visit the EVENT WEBSITE, email Darcy Burke at dburke@watermarkassociates.com or call a (951) 634-9019.