Daily Press file photo Fair-goers enjoy midway games during the 2019 U.P. State Fair. After being canceled due to the pandemic, the fair will return next month.

ESCANABA — The U.P. State Fair is back in 2021. Organizers offered a glimpse into what the fair has to offer this year.

“There is a lot of excitement around this year’s fair, and with the cooperation of Mother Nature, attendance is expected to break all previous numbers once again,” fair officials said in a press release.

Carnival rides will be provided by Skerbeck Entertainment Group. Livestock and artistic exhibits, an antique village, Whispering Pines Mobile Zoo and other attractions will also be featured.

The free midway entertainment this year includes the Mystic Bubble Show, which combines music, beauty, and mystical bubbles. The ZuZu African Acrobats has been said to be one of the best live acrobatic shows in the world. Those Funny Little People, sponsored by Embers Credit Union, offers a unique mix of costumed characters and puppetry that perform a stage show featuring music, dance, comedy, and audience interaction. Back again this year is cheese carver Sarah Kaufmann as well as the Miracle of Life exhibitions and Growing UP Foresters. The shops in the Steam and Gas Engine Village will also be open. A new attraction in the DNR Pocket Park is the Smokey the Bear Hot Air Balloon.

Grandstand shows, presented by the Island Resort and Casino, will begin Tuesday night with Escanaba native singer and songwriter Helen DeBaker-Vorce. The Ultimate 80s hair band experience, Hairball, takes the stage on Wednesday. Then Heart to Heartbreaker and Crazy Babies – Ozzie Rebourne on Tribute Thursday will rock the grandstand. Josh Turner, country and gospel singer, will perform on Friday. Musical entertainment in the grandstand wraps up on Saturday with the California rock band, Buckcherry. The Northeast Ohio Dukes Stunt Show is Sunday afternoon, followed by UPIR Racing and fireworks, sponsored by Skerbeck Entertainment Group, will close out fair week.  

Honored Citizens Day, which features the annual Veteran of the Year Award Ceremony, Lunch with Governor Gretchen Whitmer sponsored by Chamber of Commerce members, and the Native American Celebration, is set for Thursday. 

The Antique Car Show and Junior Market Livestock Auction will be on Saturday. The week will end with scout activities in the big tent. New this year is Meijer Day on Sunday. Meijer’s sponsorship honors first responders, healthcare, and grocery store workers with a 10% gate discount with a company-issued name badge. 

Go to UPStatefair.org, for updates, judging schedules, and other information about the U.P. State Fair.