Winter doesn’t halt fair planning

ESCANABA - It's full steam ahead for the members of the U.P. State Fair Authority, as they begin planning for the 2010 fair season.

Tentative dates for the 2010 fair have been set for Tuesday, Aug. 17 through Sunday, Aug. 22.

The authority also, in order to save heating costs associated with the main office located under the grandstand, is allowing fairground employee Sandy Groleau to work from home.

During the winter months, Groleau will be working toward organizing exhibitor information for the superintendents in addition to updating the premium book.

The decision to close and winterize the main office came after the authority members decided it would be time consuming to meet the requirements of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to use the Pocket Park as a part-time winter office.

"The DNR was interested and very helpful," said Vickie Micheau the director of the Delta County Commerce Center, which is also serving as the management arm for the fairgrounds. "Currently Herb Pomeroy (facility and grounds manager) has an office located in the maintenance shop and all calls have been forwarded to the Commerce Center."

The main office is expected to reopen in the spring around May 1. Also returning to the main office in May along with Groleau, will be Kathy Gunderson, Lynn Broderson. Each of the positions held are part-time.

Also during a meeting of the Fair Authority held in November, a 2 percent grant request for $30,000 filed with the Hannahville Indian Community on Sept. 30 was approved with the Upper Peninsula Center for Area Progress (UPCAP) transferring the funds received to the Authority allowing for the insurance premium to be paid by the Authority without having to borrow funds from other sources.

The next meeting of the U.P. State Fair Authority is scheduled for Jan. 22 at the offices of UPCAP.