The Upper Peninsula: Home of Michigan's one and only state fair

It's hard to believe that this year's state fair was almost the one that wasn't.

With budget constraints forcing state-level lawmakers in Lansing to make some drastic decisions, it came as little surprise when it was announced last year that the 2009 state fair would be the last one funded by the state. The reason was simple: There just wasn't enough revenue generated by it to make it self sustainable.

For most states, that would have meant cutting one fair. For Michigan, which is famously divided into two peninsulas, that meant cutting out two of them. The Michigan State Fair, traditionally held in Detroit, and the Upper Peninsula State Fair, held in Escanaba.

Thankfully for fans of the fair, and the businesses in Escanaba and surrounding Delta County, it wasn't news that was taken lying down. The U.P. State Fair Authority worked since Oct. 1, 2009 to secure the funding and the sponsorship needed to ensure the fair came back to the area. Thanks to that tireless work, Escanaba can proudly boast this year that it is playing host to Michigan's one and only state fair.

There are a slew of events -- like every year that has come and gone before -- for fairgoers to enjoy. Of those are the notable Kenyan Safari Acrobats as well as the Whispering Pines Animal Kingdom, which features exotic animals. Of course, there will also be the Upper Peninsula International Raceway Triple Crown Race, an Antique Gas and Steam Engine Village and the Miracle of Life exhibit.

"There is so much to see and do that it's difficult to highlight just some of the activities," says Vickie Micheau, a board member with the Upper Peninsula State Fair Authority. "The grandstand shows sponsored by the Island Resort Casino are first rate and are sure to attract fairgoers through the gates."

And why not? It's not everyday a headliner like the band Everclear shows up in Escanaba. The rockers are scheduled to take to the stage this Friday and are known for their hits Santa Monica, Father of Mine and many more.

But don't worry, if you're not able to go Friday, just hit the fair up today (Aug. 18) or tomorrow (Aug. 19) for some great musical acts. Orianthi is playing today. At 24 years old, Orianthi has already experienced what most aspiring musicians only dream of: Opening for Seve Vai, backing Carrie Underwood and trading solos with Carlos Santana and sharing the stage with the late, great Michael Jackson.

Come tomorrow, it will be the Oak Ridge Boys taking the stage. If you're a country fan, there's no need for an introduction, but if you're not, just know that they're one of the best in the business.

"We wanted to make sure we had acts that were very popular, so we were watching those that were up and coming," says Micheau.

The concerts are free with admission to the fair itself. Reserved seating is available for an extra $10 today and tomorrow and tickets are available at the Island Resort and Casino.

But it's not just the music that will be drawing folks to the fair. How about the food? No doubt Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm, who is slated to be in attendance on Friday, will be looking for her favorite fair food: Dogzilla. The foot-long coney dog is one of the first things she has tracked down in years past.

For 8-year-old Shaylyn Eggleston, the daughter of U.P. Second Wave managing editor Sam Eggleston, it's more along the lines of powdered-sugar-covered elephant ears and fresh-squeezed lemonade that gets her attention. That and the rides she will be hitting up with her best friend, Kylie Pepin, when they get to the fair Friday.

They've both been to the state fair before and each have their favorite rides, but neither has ever seen the ride called the Vertigo -- a new addition to the Skerbeck Brothers Shows, which runs all the rides at the fairgrounds. Joe Skerbeck says there are just four of the rides in the country.

"It's very exciting. It has a $50,000 LED light package," Skerbeck says of the ride that elevates and then swings out. "It's going to be a beautiful ride to look at at night."

In addition, there will be a slew of other attractions, such as the barns featuring a wide variety of animals from across the state. There will also be other events returning from years past, such as the Growing U.P. Foresters, the Great Lakes Timber Show and the DNRE Pocket Park.

The U.P. State Fair Authority has noted that all budget expectations have been met and that they have 122,000 gate admission tickets they are hoping to sell throughout the week.

Of course, none of this would even have been possible if it weren't for the generous sponsorships of communities, companies and people from across the Upper Peninsula and beyond. For a complete list of sponsors, visit the U.P. State Fair website.

"We're grateful for the support we've received from our sponsors, and mostly to the citizens of the U.P. who are determined to make this year's fair bigger and better than ever," says Micheau. "We encourage the public to come out and rediscover the single largest event in Michigan's Upper Peninsula -- Michigan's only state fair."

Cost for admission to the fair will be $8 for attendees 13 years and older, children between six and 12 are $5 each and those five and younger are free. Weekly passes are $25 for adults and $15 for youth.

If you can't make it to this year's state fair, will there be one next year? Well, the U.P. State Fair Authority is confident they'll be back. In fact, the authority's website lists state fair dates from now until 2015, which will host the event Aug. 17-23, in case you were wondering.

Sam Eggleston is the managing editor of the U.P. Second Wave and a full-time freelance writer. He was born and raised in the Upper Peninsula. He can be reached via email.