The Alger County Fair is set for this weekend in Chatham. (Courtesy photo) 

CHATHAM — The Alger County Fair has added what might be an udderly delightful new event this year.

It’s the first annual Run with the Cows 5K on Saturday. Sponsored by the Chatham Lions Club, the event is taking place in conjunction with the fair and the Chatham Homecoming.

Registration, which is $15, begins at 8 a.m. with the race starting at 9 a.m. Saturday at People’s State Bank in Chatham, with runners following the snowmobile trail across the Slapneck Creek, then proceeding past the “cow-filled pastures” of Michigan State University’s Upper Peninsula Research and Extension Center, according to info from the fair’s website.

The race ends in the parking lot of People’s State Bank and the Village Pub.

The entry fee for the race provides the runner with free admission to the fair as well as a free pancake breakfast. Proceeds support the Chatham Lions Club’s charitable endeavors.

The fair itself, which takes place at the fairgrounds in Chatham, has registration and entry today and Thursday.

At 9 a.m. Friday, the fair opens to the public, with a livestock show — sponsored by the Upper Peninsula Power Co. — beginning at that time. The game tent is open from noon to 6 p.m.

Also on Friday will be a Miniature Horse Show at 3 p.m., Grandparent of the Year competition at 5:30 p.m. and the Little Miss Alger County competition at 6 p.m.

Live music will be provided by Mr. BC at 5 p.m. and Stix N Stones immediately after the Little Miss pageant.

On Saturday, the fair opens at 8:30 a.m., with various animal competitions planned during the morning.

The game tent will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a bean bag tourney starting at 11 a.m. The Lions Beer Tent opens at noon.

The Great Bean Cook-off is set for 1 p.m., with registration a half hour prior.

The Chatham Homecoming Parade begins at 2 p.m., with line up at the MSU Research Center.

The annual pig roast begins at 3 p.m. Tickets have been on sale for awhile with only 300 tickets available. This event is sponsored by Thrivent Financial.

Also at 3 p.m. Make-and-Take projects will be offered in the youth building with sponsorship by 4-H, and it’s also the time live music will begin, which continues until midnight.

The bands playing are Maria Lynn at 3 p.m., Daydreamers at 7 p.m. and Bloodline at 10 p.m.

The Chatham Homecoming Queen will be crowned at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday, horse speed events start at 10 a.m. followed by the chicken BBQ at 11:30 a.m.

Open mic starts at noon which also is when the game tent opens.

Fun competitions are set for Sunday afternoon: 12:30 p.m. pie eating contest, 1 p.m. firefighter contest, 2 p.m. 4-H chicken auction and 3 p.m. greased pig contest.

The fair closes at 5 p.m., which is when exhibits will be released.

Weekend wristbands, which are available through Friday, are $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 6-12. A daily pass is $2 for adults and $1 for kids ages 6-12. Kids 5 and under are admitted for free.