Celebrate what's great at Michigan State Fair
Get ready for a bigger and better state fair.
The Fifth Third Bank Michigan State Fair kicks off next Thursday, running Sept. 1-5, at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi.
“We’ve added more since last year. We continue to build every year,” executive director Steve Masters said. “We have one of the largest carnival midways in the state and the largest in metro Detroit for Labor Day weekend. We are opening Thursday to accommodate all the people who may be heading out of town for the holiday weekend.”
With good weather, Masters hopes to have fair attendance top 110,000 for the weekend. In a cool twist this year, one-third of the fair is indoors in air-conditioning.
Besides 50 carnival rides spread over two midways, the fair features the traditional agricultural exhibits, with about 1,000 livestock -- a 20-percent increase over 2015 -- and favorites including racing pigs and a “Beginning of Life” baby animals exhibit.
In the equestrian pavilion, there will be a variety of classes and competitions, including English, Western, barrel racing and reining. Education abounds with “Farmer for a Day” and MSU Extension offering expertise in areas including not only agriculture, but also health and nutrition, gardening, personal finance and 4-H youth development. Hands-on learning includes an archery station.
Kid focus
The Michigan State Fair also wants to encourage putting books in the hands of kids, as well and will host a special appearance Sept. 1 by Jonathan Rand, author of the Michigan Chillers and American Chillers children’s book series. Rand will be the first of several Michigan authors at the fair over the weekend, meeting readers of all ages. The fair will also display local artist-decorated Little Free Libraries that will be installed this fall at urban gardens in Detroit stocked with books.
“Every year, we’re adding new events,” Masters said. “The little library project is new in the literacy area. We are really storytellers. We are a place for people to tell all their Michigan stories and celebrate all the great things about our wonderful state.”
Contests are a big draw at the fair and range from the cute diaper derby baby crawling races to the delicious pasta and coney-eating competitions to the skill-testing hula hooping and the out-of-the-ice-box frozen T-shirt unraveling.
Entertainment will shine throughout the five days of the fair, with performances under three big Detroit Shrine Circus tents, including a tiger act, the Flying Wallendas, the Liberty horses and the popular Shrine clowns.
Music to my ears
Musical acts include 15 Superstar Contest semifinalists representing various genres, competing for prizes and performing Thursday and Friday evenings. Five finalists will perform for the judges Sept. 3, before a grand prize winner and runner-up will headline the fair Sept. 4.
The Michigan Music Mega Jam returns 1-4 p.m. Sept. 5 and will feature a state all-star revue, including natives Thornetta Davis, Jill Jack, Sean Blackman, Brandon Calhoon, locals and former Superstar grand prize winners Alison Albrecht and Carly Bins.
The Accidentals will be the final performers of the fair, taking the stage following the Mega Jam. With Novi native Michael Dause on drums, the folk band will perform hits including “Michigan and Again,” their new release, which will also be the common song performed by Superstar finalists.
Also Labor Day, the last day of fair, the second annual Michigan State Fair Parade commences at 10 a.m. with 300 Shriners and their parade units in attendance, rain or shine. The parade marches two miles, from Novi High School down Taft Road to Grand River, up to the east main entrance to the fair at Suburban Collection Showplace.
Tickets for the Michigan State Fair and information on the event, as well as discounts, including free fair only admission for senior citizens 62 and older Sept. 1, are available at www.michiganstatefairllc.com. Tickets are also available at all southeast Michigan Kroger stores.
The Suburban Collection Showplace is located at 46100 Grand River, Novi.
sbromley@hometownlife.com
