Marquette County Fair returns
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MARQUETTE -- To some folks, mid-summer means things are winding down in the warm-weather season. To others, it's the culmination of a lot of hard work raising their animals or a way to just have a fun weekend.
The Marquette County Fair returns to the fairgrounds, located at 715 M-553 in Sands Township, on Thursday through Saturday. Hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Have a craving for Croatian chicken?
"We have everyone's favorite fair foods again this year," said Walt Maki, president of the Marquette County Fair, who noted that specialty chicken will be available.
Entertainment includes Family Fun Tyme amusement rides and games, a BMX thrill show and a circus, Maki said. According to the website, other attractions are Scott's Crazy Comedy Magic Show, the Whispering Pines Zoo and others. Vendors will showcase their wares at the fair while the Exposition Building will house local crafts, quilts, horticulture, photography, baked goods, antiques and more.
Maki said there will be horse and livestock shows as well, with a livestock auction scheduled for noon Saturday.
The admission at the gate is $7 for adults ages 12 and over, $3 for children ages 5 to 11 and free for kids ages 4 and under. Military Appreciation and Senior Day is $4, with seniors considered to be ages 60 and older.
Three-day wristbands are $18 for adults and $6 for children. These are separate from and not valid for midway rides. Individual carnival tickets are $1.50, with wristbands $25 and a family pack of 20 tickets $30.
Maki said fair food is a big draw to the fair, but there are other reasons to make the trip.
"These entertainment acts that we have will all be a lot of fun," he said. "Of course, the horse shows, the livestock shows are really enjoyable to sit and watch."
There also will be six live local bands that will play every afternoon and evening, Maki said.
"Then you get to come meet your neighbors," he said. "It seems that every time I walk around here, there's just groups of people sitting and talking -- good chance to catch up."
According to the fair Facebook page, proceeds from the fair go to improvements and maintenance of the fairgrounds.
"Look for the 'Blue Ribbon' signs showcasing our new projects," a recent post stated. "This year we added new LED lighting, new tables for the small animals, new sidewalk by the bathroom, new storage area in the treasures of the past, new horse arena lights, horse stalls repaired and painted, door painting and general trimming."
Visit www.marquettecountyfair.org/fair or www.facebook.com/MarquetteCountyFair for more details.
Christie Mastric can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 550. Her email address is cbleck@miningjournal.net.