Jenny Lancour | Daily Press The 2017 Upper Peninsula State Fair in Escanaba, pictured above, was bustling with activity prior to the week-long event ending Sunday night with a fireworks display. A preliminary tally of gate revenues reveals a record year for attendance, due in large part to great weather during much of the fair.

ESCANABA — The Upper Peninsula State Fair in Escanaba ended with a bang Sunday as a fireworks display provided by Skerbeck Entertainment Group lit up the night sky, concluding the week-long event. The theme for the 2017 state fair was “Michigan’s 906 State Fair: Spreading Smiles Across the Miles.”

According to Vickie Micheau, executive director for the Delta County Chamber of Commerce, the fair was the best one yet. Micheau is also a part of the fair management and authority team.

“We had a solid start to the fair this week, with perfect fair weather on Monday through Wednesday, (and) with gate revenue higher than previous years,” said Micheau.

Kicking off the fair was Preview Night, which offered fairgoers a glimpse into what was to come for the fair that ran Aug. 14-20.

Taking the grandstand stage first on Tuesday night was 906 Got Talent, a talent competition where local and regional acts had the chance to showcase their skills.

Also taking place on Tuesday was the Beef Junior Cattle Show where the grand and reserve champion steers were awarded.

Jace Moker of Wallace, raised the steer that took home grand champion while Norway resident Collin Carlson’s steer was given the title of reserve champion.

Moker’s steer tipped the scales at a hefty 1,286 pounds and Carlson’s steer weighed in at 1,165 pounds. Micheau said, the livestock sale received “tremendous support” from all who purchased during the auction.

On Wednesday, gospel/country musical quartet The Oak Ridge Boys graced the grandstand stage. Thursday featured country music duo LOCASH, and on Friday, Prince tribute band The Prince Experience took over the grandstand stage. Saturday, country music band Sawyer Brown took to the stage, and Sunday showcased UPIR racing.

Also taking place Saturday was the Junior Market Livestock Sale where the livestock at the fair were auctioned off. Included in this sale was the grand and reserve champion steers, along with swine, lambs and goats.

Micheau explained that along with the livestock sales, the midway was packed with rides, vendors, and other activities that lent a hand in the peaked attendance at the fair. Lining the midway were rides and entertainment provided by Skerbeck Entertainment Group, and midway entertainment included three new acts: the Great American Duck Races, Chicago Honey Bear Dancers, and Jump with Jill.

In addition to the new midway attractions, sand sculptors, chainsaw carvers, cheese carvers, and more were featured at the fair.

The Antique Village, located on the fairgrounds, was also open to the public throughout the fair, along with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Pocket Park.

Memorable moments were also shared during the fair, said Micheau, including the Veteran of the Year Award, and the Earl St. John Dedication in the new Chapel of the Steam and Gas Engine Village.

The fair also featured special days for faigoers throughout the week. Preview Night offered discounted admission for all fair guests, while Wednesday of the fair offered reduced admission costs to senior citizens or people ages 60 years and older.

Thursday of the fair hosted Honored Citizen’s Day, which included the annual Lunch with Michigan Gov. Rick Synder and free admission for active military, retired military and veterans.

Thursday was also Native American Day, with reduced admission for CDIB/Tribal membership cards. A pow wow and cultural exhibit was featured hat day in the activities tent.

Friday was family day at the fair and Saturday featured Agricultural Day. On Sunday, Scouts in uniform received free admission to the fair.

Overall, Micheau said a mixture of good entertainment, weather, and vendors allowed for this year’s fair to be one of the most memorable fairs to date.

“The ‘fair’ weather, family-friendly, free entertainment, award winning grandstand performances, fair fare offered by food vendors, and the ever popular agricultural exhibits contributed to outstanding attendance figures again this year,” said Micheau.

Final gate attendance totals are currently being tallied, said Micheau, and should be available early next week.