ESCANABA — A long-running local event is observing a major milestone this year. Executive Director of the Delta County Chamber of Commerce Vickie Micheau said efforts are underway to prepare for 2019’s U.P. State Fair.

“This year marks the 10th anniversary of the seamless transition of the oldest state fair in Michigan from the State to a regional governing body, the U.P. State Fair Authority,” Micheau said.

The authority was established with representation from all 15 Upper Peninsula counties and the Hannahville Indian Community.

According to Micheau, work in preparation for this year’s fair has been ongoing for quite some time. She said much of the planning for the event began before 2018’s fair ended.

“The buildings and facilities are being checked and double checked to make sure they can handle the demand of 100,000 guests during fair week,” she said.

A significant addition to the U.P. State Fairgrounds for 2019 is the Community Welcome Center & Museum, which is nearly complete. The new building, located near the U.P. Steam and Gas Engine Association’s Antique Village, will house offices for the Delta County Chamber of Commerce, Delta County Builders Exchange, Delta County Economic Development Alliance and the U.P. State Fair; a U.P. Welcome Center; and the U.P. Veterans Museum and Webster Marble “Inventing the Outdoors” Museum.

“The exterior is finished and the interior will be completed before July 24th, the date set for the dedication and donor recognition reception to express our appreciation to those who have supported this remarkable project,” Micheau said.

The new facility was made possible by a $1,000,000 donation from the John and Melissa Besse Foundation and $500,000 in state funding, as well as financial support from local businesses and residents.

Micheau said she is pleased with the outcome of work on the building.

“This building is truly an example of the generosity and collaborative spirit that exists in Delta County, the Upper Peninsula, the State of Michigan and beyond,” she said.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Community Welcome Center & Museum has been set for Monday, Aug. 12 — the first day of the fair — at 3 p.m.

This year’s U.P. State Fair will feature a wide variety of entertainment options.

“Free midway entertainment this year includes the Flying High Pages, which is a thrill show with the High Flying Trapeze and Globe of Death motorcycle production,” Micheau said.

Midway entertainment at the U.P. State Fair this year will also include the Great Lakes Timber and Lumberjack Show — which Micheau said features “chainsaw carving, axe throwing, wood chopping, crosscut sawing, log rolling and loads of clean family humor” — mARTinez Studio Art Club sand artists, cheese carver Sarah Kaufmann and Woodworks Chainsaw Carvers, along with appearances from Marvel Super Heroes Spider-Man and Captain America on Saturday and Sunday during fair week.

“Grandstand shows presented by the Island Resort and Casino will entertain fairgoers every night of the week during the 2019 fair,” Micheau said.

Carly Pearce will perform at the grandstand on Monday, followed by 906 Got Talent on Tuesday, Forgotten Highway on Wednesday, Peacemaker on Thursday, Theory of a Deadman on Friday, Billy Ray Cyrus on Saturday and UPIR Racing and fireworks on Sunday.

Micheau said Gold Circle tickets are sold out for Theory of a Deadman and nearly sold out for Billy Ray Cyrus.

“That’s a positive sign that fairgoers are anxious for this year’s fair experience,” she said.

General grandstand seating will be available free of charge with paid admission to the fair.

Additionally, the fair will feature the annual Veteran of the Year award ceremony and a luncheon with Governor Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday, an antique car show and the Junior Market Livestock Auction on Saturday and Scout Day and family entertainment on Sunday.

Micheau said she is optimistic regarding attendance at the 2019 U.P. State Fair.

“There has been 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,” she said.

The U.P. State Fair will run Aug. 12-18. For more information, visit www.upstatefair.net.