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After fifteen years of living in Ohio and enjoying the Ohio State Fair, it's very disappointing to learn that Michigan no longer has its State Fair. It's especially depressing if it is true that it is a casualty of greed an corruption.
A state fair is just something I learned to take for granted. Well, not any more.
Honestly, the Michigan State Fair as it was in recent years was more depressing than this thread. We took our kiddos shortly after we moved to Michigan from Ohio, and oh, my. Somehow, you just don't associate the words "state fair" with the ghetto neighborhood that the fairgrounds is located in. It was almost surreal to see gang bangers walking down the street outside the fence surrounding the fairgrounds and then walk into a barn and see a wholesome little family from Hillsdale County brushing their dairy cattle. Not that the Ohio State Fair is in the most up and coming neighborhood, but at least when you are in the actual fairgrounds, you aren't really aware of the city that surrounds it in the same way that it was in Detroit. The grounds were getting run down ten years ago when we went, so I can imagine that with the lack of money that problem only got worse.
I would love, love, LOVE to see the Michigan State Fair come back to life in a more appropriate, less urban setting. Our dd participated in a horse show up in East Lansing a few years ago on the campus of Michigan State, and the arena and adjoining barns were quite nice and the entire area was very safe. I wish there was some way to incorporate the state fair into that facility, but of course, that would also require money. I wonder if they set up collection sites in each county how many of us would be willing to contribute a little bit to get the state fair up and running again far, far from the old fairgrounds in Detroit. I would definitely contribute. Fortunately, we live in a county that has an incredibly nice county fair, so we look forward to going to that each year. We do still go to the Ohio State Fair once in a blue moon, but yeah, Michigan, with all of its agriculture and livestock farming, really does need a state fair of its own.
BTW, yeah, the state fair really is the definition of "buy local" if you get off of the midway and patronize merchants like the Michigan Dairy Board who sells ice cream and milkshakes, the Michigan State FFA who sells things like fresh produce and other products that are derived from Michigan farms, etc. There are also tents and buildings set up where local companies have booths that sell and promote their particular product or service. My experience has been that the Michigan State Fair was actually very Michigan-centric, except for the fact that fewer and fewer people from across the state seemed to participate as the neighborhood around the fairgrounds got more and more dangerous and the money began to run out.
it is sad that there is no MI state fair; however, there are still some dandy county fairs.
my favorite is the st. joseph county fair in centreville, which has the additional attraction of being held in september - when all real fairs should be held. none of this july/august nonsense.
I was sad to hear that the Michigan State Fair is gone, as well. Growing up in metro Detroit, a visit to the fair was a regular event. (This "city slicker" even entered some cookies one year in the youth exhibits and won a ribbon!) However, my family and I did see the decline of the area around the fairgrounds get worse every year. I seem to remember some talk of moving it to around the Lansing area when Engler was Governor.
I would love to see the fair return and be located somewhere in the central lower peninsula in a more farm-like setting. And, I really like canudigit's idea of contributions throughout the state to help. I would contribute to that (as soon as I get moved back to Michigan later this year!).
Hope to see a better Michigan State Fair return one day soon!
I totally disagree that State Fairs (or any fairs) are the definition of buy local. The big attractions and money makers of them is the midway, run by out-of-state companies. The trinket vendors are mostly from out-of-state. What else is there to buy local?
My viewpoint is probably skewed, I hate carny rides.
I go to state fair for the agricultural exhibitions, and the ribbons and fun stuff like that...
Some states don't ship in Carny rides, they have permanent rides there, and run the whole thing themselves, local....
It's a sad thing to see disappearing. It used to be such a vital thing for America's farmers in getting their products to a buying public. I know they've changed somewhat, but the heart of the State Fair hasn't disappeared entirely.
Michigan does need a new state fairgrounds, and a renewed state fair. Somewhere outside of Lansing seems logical to me as that is the state capitol. Detroit was never a good place for it, even before the city became what it is today. The state fair showcases Michigans agricultural products, and for that reason the fair should be closer to the agriculture. For a large midwestern state like Michigan not to have a state fair is almost unreal. I bet we are the only state in the midwest to not have one.
You took the words right out of my mouth, but I will admit to being too new here to know if my thinking was off.
The Saginaw County fair starts today.Chesaning, Michigan ● July 26th through July 30th, 2011.
I have not been to it since it moved to Chesaning. Chesaning is a rual farm area town near the Junction of M57 & M52.
More information here. Saginaw County Fair
St. Clair county fair started yesterday.
2011 Fair Dates July 25th - 30th
It is held at the Goodels county park.
more information here.
2011 Fair Dates July 25th - 30th
Never been to this one my self. Have showen antique tractors at the Goodels county farm.
Lapeer county fair starts 8-9-11 to 8-13-11 In Imlay City.
Imlay City is also a small farming area town. It is located at the junction of M21 & M53 but also has I 69 running east to west thru the area.
It is a nice fair with lots of ag type expits and many vendors. the Fair grounds is also home to the Woods and Water gathering.
Osceola County 4-H & FFA FairEvart
Also started yesterday 7-25-11 to 7-30-11
Located just off US 10 just a scoch north of town near the SUPER 8 Motel.
More information call [SIZE=2]231.734.5481 - Fair office
A state fair should be central to the state it is in. Big Rapids or even Scottsville is better than Lansing or any place near there. Try the ANR week at Michigan State in East lansing if you want to attend a farm expo.
The Saginaw County fair starts today.Chesaning, Michigan ● July 26th through July 30th, 2011.
I have not been to it since it moved to Chesaning. Chesaning is a rual farm area town near the Junction of M57 & M52.
More information here. Saginaw County Fair
St. Clair county fair started yesterday.
2011 Fair Dates July 25th - 30th
It is held at the Goodels county park.
more information here.
2011 Fair Dates July 25th - 30th
Never been to this one my self. Have showen antique tractors at the Goodels county farm.
Lapeer county fair starts 8-9-11 to 8-13-11 In Imlay City.
Imlay City is also a small farming area town. It is located at the junction of M21 & M53 but also has I 69 running east to west thru the area.
It is a nice fair with lots of ag type expits and many vendors. the Fair grounds is also home to the Woods and Water gathering.
Osceola County 4-H & FFA FairEvart
Also started yesterday 7-25-11 to 7-30-11
Located just off US 10 just a scoch north of town near the SUPER 8 Motel.
More information call [SIZE=2]231.734.5481 - Fair office
A state fair should be central to the state it is in. Big Rapids or even Scottsville is better than Lansing or any place near there. Try the ANR week at Michigan State in East lansing if you want to attend a farm expo.
Actually Mt. Pleasant would be nice.... Bit Rapids and Scottsville are too non-central. It needs to be closer to the larger population centers, and not too east or west centric. See, they don't need city planners, they just need netizens, we can solve the world's problems. :P (did I really say that on CD?)
"It needs to be closer to the larger population centers," why is that?
The rual areas of Michigan are not as afleunt as those who live in large towns with big populations where the better paying jobs tend to be.
If we are going to prevent those in the smaller rual area access to a state fair because it isn't more accessable, I don't think the state really needs such a thing.
More central located would put Cadillac, Lake City, Prudenville and Houghton lake in the running.
What a boom a state fair would have in a place like Marion or McBain or even Manton.
Many bussiness in those town could probably make as much in one week of a state fair as they do in 9 months with out.
Wonder what the big antique tractor and steam show does for Buckley and surrounding areas?
Location: Grosse Ile Michigan and Sometimes Orange County CA
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Trail twister
"It needs to be closer to the larger population centers," why is that?
The rual areas of Michigan are not as afleunt as those who live in large towns with big populations where the better paying jobs tend to be.
If we are going to prevent those in the smaller rual area access to a state fair because it isn't more accessable, I don't think the state really needs such a thing.
More central located would put Cadillac, Lake City, Prudenville and Houghton lake in the running.
What a boom a state fair would have in a place like Marion or McBain or even Manton.
Many bussiness in those town could probably make as much in one week of a state fair as they do in 9 months with out.
Wonder what the big antique tractor and steam show does for Buckley and surrounding areas?
Because the whole point of a State Fair is to have a lot of people come, particularly people who do not already have access to the products being offered and shown.
If you have the State Fair in a place where only 50 farmers will attend, it will fail. Even if you could get 50,000 farmers to show up that is not enough to support a State Fair and Farmers already have the things that are being offered. They are not going to get too excited about the opportunity to hold a baby piglet since they can do that at home, and it is just work to them.
To the best of my knowledge, State Fairs are always located in or near major population centers. That is what is practical. It is not about "denying" anyone access. It is about obtaining sufficient attendance to fund and justify the State fair. If it is a small fair in a rural area and only advertised locally and attended by few people from the region, then it is not a State Fair, it is a regional fair. We still have those.
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