Daily Press file photo In this Daily Press file photo, fairgoers prepare to test their luck in one of the many carnival games that have become staples of the Upper Peninsula State Fair. The 2022 U.P. State Fair returns to Escanaba Monday, with gates opening at 5 p.m.

ESCANABA — The 94th annual Upper Peninsula State Fair will open its gates to eager fairgoers on Monday, Aug. 15 at 5 p.m. This year’s fair has plenty of events, entertainment, and activities scheduled throughout the week, enough to keep visitors of all ages occupied. Thousands of people are expected to visit Escanaba for the festivities.

“Fairgoers will find their favorite midway rides, attractions, and food vendors back this year,” Vicki Micheau, executive director of the Delta County Chamber of Commerce and management agent for the Upper Peninsula State Fair Authority, said last month. “… preparation have been pretty much as expected. The gates open at 5 p.m. and everything will be set and ready to go by 4:59 p.m. on August 15.”

In addition to carnival rides, livestock barns, and a plethora of pay-to-play games, several free Midway events will be taking place throughout the week. Martinez Art Sand Sculptures will be returning to this year’s fair, fashioning a structure depicting fair life using just sand and water. Additionally, Whispering Pines Animal Kingdom will be educating visitors on exotic animals, which vary from African pygmy hedgehogs to fennec foxes, and even macaque monkeys.

The Miracle of Life education pavilion will be open throughout fair week, featuring several livestock birthing exhibits, the “Growing U.P. Foresters” exhibit for kids, and Sarah “The Cheese Lady” Kaufmann — who creates unique sculptures out of cheese. The traditional dove release will be taking place near the poultry barn at 3 p.m. every day as well.

The Steam and Gas Antique Village will be transporting fairgoers back in time, with old-time shops, a functioning sawmill, agricultural museum, and historic equipment waiting to be admired. The DNR Pocket Park will be operational as well, tempting fairgoers with archery, fishing, and pellet gun activities. The Pocket Park’s fair hours will be Monday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.

The midway will be welcoming two new events this year. Fairgoers can look out for “Puppies of Penzance,” a pirate-themed dog show that guides audience members on a pirate ship adventure, and “BOOM! Entertainment,” who will be providing both stationary and strolling drum shows. Local robotics teams will be providing live demonstrations of the robots they have constructed as well.

Daily admission into the fairgrounds is $10 for adults and $5 for youth ages six to 12, with weekly passes being $35 for adults $20 for youth. Those five and under can enter for free. The midway will open at 5 p.m. Monday and 11 a.m. for the rest of the week, with midway carnival armbands being $30 per day.

All buildings and exhibits are set to open at 10:30 a.m. throughout the week, the only exception being Monday night. The carnival midway will begin operating at 11:00 a.m. The Ruth Butler Exhibition Building closes at 10:30 p.m. throughout the week.

Scheduled fair events are as follows:

MONDAY

“Opening Night” — Gates are set to open Monday night with the playing of the national anthem at 5 p.m. The U.P. State Fair Queen Court will be crowned at 6:30 p.m. Grandstand entertainment Monday night is UPIR Racing, with doors opening at 5 p.m. and the show starting at 6 p.m.

TUESDAY

“Fun at the Fair” — Local robotics teams and Puppies of Penzance will be hosting multiple shows throughout the day. Additionally, Embers Credit Union will be hosting an activity tent at 1:30 p.m. Grandstand entertainment Tuesday night is BOOM! Entertainment, with doors opening at 7 p.m. and the show starting at 8 p.m.

WEDNESDAY

“Exciting Times” — Puppies and Penzance, BOOM! Entertainment, and local robotics teams will be providing midway entertainment throughout the day Wednesday. Grandstand entertainment Wednesday night is Abbacadabra: The Ultimate ABBA Tribute, with doors opening at 7 p.m. and the show starting at 8 p.m.

THURSDAY

“Honored Citizens Day” — On Thursday, seniors and Native Americans can enter the fairgrounds for $5. Veterans with a DD 214 military service verification form can enter for free. At 11 a.m., the Veterans Award Ceremony will commence, which will honor the 2022 U.P. Veteran of the Year Tracey Ann Tippet. Those interested in attending the Governor’s Luncheon, which will begin at 12 p.m., can RSVP at the Delta County Chamber of Commerce.

The Native American Celebration will commence at 2 p.m. Overall showmanship for livestock will be taking place at 6:30 p.m. Grandstand entertainment Thursday night is Puddle of Mudd, with doors opening at 7 p.m. and the show starting at 8 p.m.

FRIDAY

“Ladies Day” — The 45th annual Ladies’ Day celebration will be taking place all day Friday, with special events taking place in the Activities Tent for fairgoers to enjoy. The annual quilt block contest, which is free to quilters of all ages and skill levels, will make its return. All submitted blocks will be combined and quilted by the Ladies’ Day Committee. This year’s theme is “Welcome to Our Neighborhood.” A recipe contest, open to women 18 and older, will be taking place as well. This year’s category is appetizers.

In terms of animals, the Livestock Skillathon will kick-off at 9 a.m. on Friday. The Beef Supreme Drive, followed by the Adult Beef Showmanship, will take place at 4 p.m. Grandstand entertainment Friday night is Roots and Boots: 90s Electric Throwdown, with doors opening at 7 p.m. and the show starting at 8 p.m.

SATURDAY

“Agriculture Day” — With Saturday being agriculture day, the Jr. Market Livestock Auction will begin at 11 a.m. Puppies and Penzance, BOOM! Entertainment, and local robotics teams will be providing midway entertainment throughout the day as well. Grandstand entertainment Saturday night is Russell Dickerson, with doors opening at 7 p.m. and the show starting at 8 p.m.

SUNDAY

“Meijer Family Day” — On the final day of the fair, all scouts in uniform can enter the grounds for free. Scouts aged six to 12 must be accompanied by an adult with paid admission to enter for free. For entertainment, Puppies and Penzance, BOOM! Entertainment, and local robotics teams will be showcasing their talents throughout the day. Grandstand entertainment Sunday night is a firework show, which is set to begin around 10 p.m.

Go to upstatefair.net for an hourly fair schedule, including livestock judging times, along with other information regarding the 2022 U.P. State Fair.