2010 UP State Fair Wrap-Up

ESCANABA, MI - Friday, September 24, 2010 - The carnival lights and the beckoning smells of fair food have faded away, but memories from the 2010 U.P. State Fair will remain always fresh for many in the area. This year, with a starting budget of zero dollars and high hopes, was the first for the fair to be locally owned and operated. As the U.P. State Fair Authority heard today at their first meeting since the fair ended just a month ago, it was also record-breaking.

The U.P. State Fair Board Authority took control of the fair last October 1 and wasted no time in delving into planning and booking entertainment for the week. The goal of putting more value for the admission price was in the front of organizers’ minds as they tried to find midway and grandstand acts with great appeal while staying within budgets.

Budget became the word of the year around the fairgrounds as officials halved the state’s budget from the year before. No one doubted that cost-saving measures would be easily found, and these helped to keep the total cost of this year’s fairgrounds operation at just under $800,000. Those working closely with the numbers have great pride in keeping expenses below the proposed $910,000.

With budgets cut, and maximum entertainment for all fairgoers a goal, sponsors and volunteers helped to fill in the gaps. Sponsorship totals for the year came to over $90,000. Vickie Micheau, Executive Director of the Delta County Commerce Center, managing agency for the fairgrounds, praised the volunteer and community efforts, saying, “The community really supported our vision of a U.P.-owned and operated State Fair. We could not let this facility and the fair go; it was just too important. Everyone really took ownership and helped us accomplish this record-breaking year.”

The importance to the community could not be overstated—this facility brings in year-round events, and the goal for the fairgrounds is to be self-sustaining from events and fair revenues. During fair week, 58,000 guests paid admission and walked through the gates to take part in the fair. Paid gate attendance was up by 18% over 2009. The attendance figure does not include vendors, employees, sponsors, media, or volunteer admission.

Just how much economic development comes from fair week? Payroll for fair staff including groundskeepers, office workers, and others integral to its operation was just over $55,000 which goes back into the local economy. Premiums paid out to livestock, produce and all other exhibitors totaled more than $43,000. Auction proceeds were close to $400,000. Couple these numbers with visitors who stayed in the local hotels, ate at local restaurants when not at the fair, bought gas and other souvenirs as well as picking up sundries that may have been forgotten at home, and there’s no doubt that the U.P. State Fair has a huge positive impact on our local way of life.

Jim Gale, Chair of the U.P. State Fair Authority commented during the meeting that, “All of these numbers mean nothing if the fair doesn’t mean something personally to those who attend. Because of the U.P. State Fair, young livestock exhibitors had the experience of raising an animal, caring for it, being honored for their accomplishments and then seeing a financial reward and possibly using the premium or auction income to help pay college tuition.”

The lessons learned and friendships made in programs like these become invaluable. The idea of the community coming together in support of the U.P. State Fair in spite of its being cut from the state budget has forged further connections and relationships between many organizations and people that might not have met without it. The joy of watching a child learn about forestry or watch a chick hatch or try a new food or dance to a new song , these are the stories behind the numbers that drove so many to stand behind this event. As a place for families to enjoy, for youth to learn and succeed, for entrepreneurs to take on as an opportunity and for all to experience, the 2010 U.P. State Fair succeeded wildly. As planning begins for the 2011 year, the U.P. is again saying, ‘Bring it on!’