The 2018 U.P. State Fair received the Regional Prosperity Initiative grant to conduct an economic impact study. We partnered with Michigan State University’s, Steve Miller, the Director of the Center for Economic Analysis. By conducting surveys of fair-goers, vendors, and examining the cost of hosting the fair, we were able to compile the data necessary to carry out the study. Once analyzed we were able to tell how much money the fair generated and what money is constituted as “new” money that is circulated into the regional economy.

$5.3 MILLION

Spent at area hotels, restaurants, retail stores, and more

RECORD-HIGH: 92,000 FAIRGOERS

Up 6% from 2017’s record-setting attendance

Vendors from outside the region spent

$200,000

in the local economy

$2.7 MILLION

In new transactions circulated in regional economy

Skerbeck Entertainment Group spent an additional

$50,000

in the local economy

“We love the fair!!

A forever keeper!!”

“The State Fair is a great community event for our area & brings in traffic. It is known as the last big kick-off before school starts in Michigan & people love our State Fair.”

“Offers a yearly event that all look forward to”

“The Fair brings a lot of business our way”

“We decided to attend at the spur of the moment with our grand kids. We had a blast, this is the best fair we have ever been to. Everybody there is so friendly. Thank you for a wonderful evening”

“We appreciate everyone who has kept it going and made it better than it used to be!”