Courtesy photo Kassey Labadie, second from right, will be joined by her royal court to officially welcome guests to the 95th Annual U.P. State Fair when the gates open at 5 p.m. on Monday.

ESCANABA — A ribbon cutting by the 2022 U.P. State Fair Queen, Kassey Labadie, and her royal court will officially usher in the 95th annual U.P. State Fair.

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!

New, free midway entertainment this year features the Pork Chop Revue, an unforgettable family show filled with comedy and an entertaining cast of lovable swine! Performed in a barnyard atmosphere, the performing porkers delight the audience with a series of amazing tricks that leave spectators in side-splitting laughter. Watch out for the Embers Credit Union sponsored, Strolling Piano ~ a revolutionary concept in the world of musical entertainment, combining the classic and sophisticated nature of a pianist/singer with the flexibility of a roaming musician.

Grandstand entertainment presented by the Island Resort and Casino kicks off Monday night at 7 p.m. with a new to the fair event, A Cornhole America Tournament. Musical entertainment starts on Tuesday with Jackson Dean, followed throughout the week by Helen DeBacker Vorce, Glam Band, Ashley McBryde, Night Ranger and Switchfoot. The fair will close on Sunday with Escanaba Speedway Racing beginning at 6:00 followed by fireworks, sponsored by Skerbeck Entertainment Group, at dusk.

Other notable events taking place during the fair are the crowning of the U.P. State Fair Queen and her court on Monday.  Chewsday Tuesday is new this year with fair food vendors offering smaller, discounted portions of their famous food faire from noon until 4 p.m. The annual Veteran of the Year Award Ceremony, Lunch with the Governor sponsored by Chamber of Commerce members, and the Native American Celebration all take place on Thursday’s Honored Citizens Day.

A flipping fun day is planned for Friday, which will be considered part of the Ladies Day and Men’s Night festivities. Guests will be entertained by the flippers from Chris Cakes, a Michigan catering company that makes pancakes by the millions. Later that evening, the Island Resort and Casino will be flipping cards where guests can learn to play blackjack and try out a golf simulator for a chance to win prizes sponsored by the Island.

The Junior Market Livestock Auction returns to the beef barn show ring on Saturday. The week ends with Scout Day activities on Sunday.

Check out the website, UPStatefair.org, for updates, judging schedules and other information about the 2023 U.P. State Fair ~ #95yearsStrong!

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Vickie Micheau is executive director of the Delta County Chamber of Commerce