The U.P. State Fair is excited to offer Blue Ribbon Fun in 2021!
It’s the 11th Anniversary of the seamless management transition of the oldest State fair in Michigan from State government to a regional governing body, the U.P. State Fair Authority. When the State appropriation ended, the Authority was established with representation from each of the 15 counties in the Upper Peninsula and the Hannahville Indian Community to keep the nearly 100-year-old tradition alive!
There is a lot of excitement about this year’s fair and we hope, with the help of Mother Nature, to once again break all previous attendance numbers!
Once fair goers pass through the gates, they’ll find amazing food, great concerts, wheeled events, spectacular carnival rides by Skerbeck Entertainment Group, winning livestock and artistic exhibits, an antique village, exotic animals from around the world at the Whispering Pines Mobile Zoo and so much more. There is something for everyone!
The free midway entertainment this year includes the Mystic Bubble Show, which combines music, beauty, and mystical bubbles for an unforgettable experience. The ZuZu African Acrobats high energy show has been said to be one of the best live acrobatic shows in the world. Witness spectacular choreographed routines involving fast pyramid building, limbo contortion, bottle balancing, chair stacking, and hand balancing. Those Funny Little People, sponsored by Embers Credit Union, offer a unique mix of costumed characters and puppetry that perform a stage show featuring music, dance, comedy, and hilarious audience interaction. Back again this year is cheese carver Sarah Kaufmann as well as the Miracle of Life exhibitions, and Growing UP Foresters that takes fairgoers through a walk in the woods. The shops in the Steam and Gas Engine Village are anxious to once again welcome guests; an added attraction in the DNR Pocket Park is the Smokey the Bear Hot Air Balloon.
Grandstand shows, presented by the Island Resort and Casino, will entertain beginning Tuesday night with Escanaba native singer and song-writer, Helen DeBaker-Vorce. The Ultimate 80s hair band experience, Hairball, entertains on Wednesday, with two acts, Heart to Heartbreaker and Crazy Babies – Ozzie Rebourne on Tribute Thursday. Josh Turner, country and gospel singer, takes the stage on Friday. Musical entertainment in the grandstand wraps up on Saturday with the California rock band, Buckcherry. The Northeast Ohio Dukes Stunt Show on Sunday afternoon, followed by UPIR Racing and Fireworks, sponsored by Skerbeck Entertainment Group, will close out an exciting fair week.
Honored Citizens Day, which features the annual Veteran of the Year Award Ceremony, Lunch with Governor Gretchen Whitmer sponsored by Chamber of Commerce members, and the Native American Celebration, takes place on Thursday.
The Antique Car Show and Jr. Market Livestock Auction are set for Saturday. The week ends with scout activities in the big tent.
New this year, is Meijer Day on Sunday. Meijer’s sponsorship honors first responders, healthcare, and grocery store workers with a 10% gate discount with company issued name badge.
Check out the website, UPStatefair.org, for updates, judging schedules and other information about the U.P. State Fair ~ Blue Ribbon Fun in 2021!
