Photo by Victoria LaFave Shown is the menu of this year's Lt. Governor's "Taste of Membership Luncheon," held on Thursday, Aug. 14.

ESCANABA — On Thursday, Aug. 14, Honored Citizens’ Day during the 97th-annual U.P. State Fair, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist visited and met with local leaders and community members. To help welcome him, many of our Delta County Chamber members showcased their delicious culinary selections.

No one left hungry from the Delta County Chamber of Commerce’s “Taste of Membership” Luncheon, which featured a bounty of delicious culinary treats, thanks to our Chamber of Commerce member businesses.

Held under the Activities Tent at the fairgrounds and attended by over 350 people, the luncheon included the following delicious selections: brisket and buns by Brisket Barn; sandwiches from D&M Subs; mini pasties by Dobber’s Pasties; rolls and whipped cinnamon butter from Texas Roadhouse; meat and cheese platters by Sav-Mor IGA; salads by Papa Murphy’s; potato salad and cole slaw from Walmart; cheese hash browns by Family Inn; street corn on the cob from Freshwater Tavern; rotisserie chicken and a beautifully decorated cake by Elmer’s County Market; and finally, cookies from Chip Off The Old Block. Soft drinks were supplied by Bink’s Coca-Cola. Food selections were served by our awesome Delta County Ambassador volunteers.

Because the luncheon was held on Honored Citizens’ Day, the event began with the 2025 U.P. Veteran of the Year Award being presented to Raymond E. Carlson of Negaunee, who has held leadership positions with Michigan’s American Legion over the past two decades. He was congratulated by Lt. Gov. Gilchrist, U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman and other state and local dignitaries.

The U.P. Veteran of the Year ceremony was followed by the luncheon, in which state Sen. Ed McBroom introduced Lt. Governor Gilchrist, saying he is grateful to him for taking the time to come to the fair. After Sheila Krueger, chamber associate director, sang the National Anthem, Lt. Gov. Gilchrist spoke to the crowd, discussing how to increase affordable housing and create sustaining career opportunities for people in the U.P.

He stressed the importance of opening up new opportunities for businesses to move into Michigan, saying, “Our job is to make sure you have a pathway to be successful in the U.P., and I am going to work every day to make that happen.”

Gilchrist closed with: “It is up to us to work together to make sure that we can create a Michigan where, in every community, you can stay and succeed, and if you’re not living in that community, where you can come and grow and be your best, where you can have the health and wealth that we all deserve a chance at pursuing. We can do it together, we can work together, so we can win this future together for the State of Michigan. God Bless you, U.P., God Bless the U.P. State Fair and the team that made this happen. I am so honored to be here again with you. Let’s continue to work together on behalf of the great state of beautiful Michigan.”

After his speech, he answered questions from the crowd, which were gathered by Senator McBroom and Bay College President Dr. Nerita Hughes.

U.P. State Fair Management Agent Vickie Micheau expressed gratitude for the hospitality extended by Chamber member businesses, U.P. State Fair representatives, state government officials, and the Delta County Ambassadors in welcoming Lt. Gov. Gilchrist. “On behalf of The U.P. State Fair Authority and the Chamber Board of Directors, we are truly grateful for the support of our members, the presence of Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist and other public officials at the Fair, and the generous backing of our sponsors who make both the Chamber and the U.P. State Fair — Michigan’s only State Fair — possible. The commitment of our members continues to strengthen and showcase the strong spirit of collaboration that defines our community.”

Presenting sponsors of the Lt. Governor’s Day Luncheon at the 2025 U.P. State Fair included: DTE, Michigan Works, Enbridge, Upper Peninsula Power Company, Daily Press, WLUC TV6 and FOX UP, Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association, U.P. State Fair Authority, Delta County Chamber of Commerce, Upper Hand Brewery, The Island Resort and Casino, and Wickert Floral.

Photo by Victoria LaFave
This year’s U. P. State Fair “Taste of Membership” Luncheon was held on Honored Citizens Day, which this year was Thursday, Aug. 14. Pictured is Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist speaking to the crowd at the luncheon.