It’s happening! After a three-year hiatus, the State Fair is returning to Michigan as the Great Lakes State Fair. Michigan’s first State Fair was held in 1849, making it one of the oldest state fairs in the country.
The tradition now continues with a tremendous amount of support and outreach from the agriculture and business communities, as well as people from all across Michigan. The Great Lakes State Fair will run at the Suburban Collection Showplace Labor Day Weekend.
“As we transition into the reality of this new State Fair initiative with the Suburban Collection Showplace, we are in strong alignment with other successful venues around our Country,” said Kent Roberts, vice chairman of the Great Lakes State Fair Board.
“When you add their professional management and staff to the mix, we have the recipe for a highly successful event.”
“We are extremely thrilled that the Suburban Collection Showplace will be partnering with the Great Lakes Agricultural Fair Board to return this awesome event to the state of Michigan,” said Blair Bowman, owner of the Suburban Collection Showplace. “With Michigan being the second largest agricultural state in the nation, this is the perfect opportunity to highlight the amazing products grown and manufactured right here in our great state.”
The Great Lakes State Fair will run at the Suburban Collection Showplace from Friday, August 31 through Monday, September 3, 2012. Sponsors include Meijer, ITC Holdings, Genisys Credit Union, the Suburban Collection Showplace, C.F. Burger Creamery and Powers Distributing.
New sponsors that have come on board recently, in bringing back the State Fair, include the Michigan Ear Institute, Leisure Works, AIS Equipment and Greening Detroit. There are still sponsorship opportunities available. Companies that are interested in helping to bring back this wonderful tradition should visit www.greatlakesstatefair.org/sponsors.
The family-focused event will be jam-packed with all the typical excitement of previous State Fairs, including animals, agriculture, Michigan-made products, food and beverages, entertainment, a midway and carnival rides. The Great Lakes State Fair has also partnered with the Shriners to hold The Detroit Shrine Circus under The Big Top during the fair, with tickets included in the all-inclusive admission price. There will be plenty of additional parking available for the duration of the event.
Event Schedule:
Livestock Exhibits:
Fri. – Sun.: 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Mon.: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Agriculture and Indoor Vendor Area:
Fri. – Sun.: 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Mon. – 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Entertainment Tent, Outdoor Vendors and Beer Garden:
Fri. – Sun.: 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Mon.: 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Midway:
Fri. – Sun.: 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Mon.: 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Detroit Shrine Circus Performance Times (Daily):
12:00 p.m.
2:30 p.m.
5:00 p.m.
7:30 p.m. (Fri. – Sun. Only)
*ALL TIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Daily Admission:
For all exhibits and entertainment, circus and unlimited midway rides:
In Advance (at www.GreatLakesStateFair.org starting July 1):
$25.00 – Adults & Children over 12; $20.00 – Children 2 to 12
At the Gate (on Fair days):
$30.00 – Adults & Children over 12; $25.00 – Children 2 to 12
For livestock and indoor exhibits, entertainment:
In advance: $6.00 – Adults; $5.00 – Children 2 to 12
At the Gate: $8.00 – Adults; $6.00 – Children 2 to 12
There is no charge for children 2 and under.
About the Great Lakes State Fair
The Michigan State Fair, which debuted in Detroit in 1849, was one of the oldest state fairs in the United States. It moved permanently to the Michigan State Fairgrounds on Woodward Avenue in 1905 and was held there until 2009. The Great Lakes State Fair is a not-for-profit corporation committed to excellence in providing opportunities for the development and promotion of agriculture, education, industry and family entertainment, while preserving our Michigan heritage. The Fair is organized with programs and exhibits designed to include local and regional participation, demonstration and competition. www.GreatLakesStateFair.org.
About the Detroit Shriners:
The Detroit Shriners is a fraternity based on fun, fellowship and the principles of brotherly love, truth and relief. We promote strong family values, fraternal and social interaction, and, of course, we support our community. The Shriners are best known for our support of the Shriners Hospitals for Children® a health care system of 22 hospitals dedicated to improving the lives of children by providing pediatric specialty care, innovative research, and outstanding teaching programs for medical professionals. Children up to age 18 with orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, and cleft lip and palate are eligible for care and receive all services in a family-centered environment, regardless of the patients’ ability to pay. www.shrinershq.org/Hospitals/.
About the Suburban Collection Showplace:
The Suburban Collection Showplace, a state-of-the-art Exposition, Convention and Conference Center in Novi, Michigan, is owned and managed by Blair M. Bowman. The Suburban Collection Showplace offers approximately 320,000 square feet of space, including 30,000 square feet of meeting space. Other attractive amenities include a full-service kitchen capable of serving a sit down meal to 3,500 people, formal banquet halls, full-service concession areas, two major atrium style entrances with 25,000 square feet of lobby space for pre-function and registration activities. For more information about the company, visit www.SuburbanCollectionShowplace.com.
For all questions, please contact Nikita Cargins at (248) 348-5600, ext. 207, or at ncargins@suburbanshowplace.com.
Source: Great Lakes State Fair
