ESCANABA — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will be at the U.P. State Fair in Escanaba today. Whitmer is scheduled to speak at the annual Lunch with the Governor event at noon. Visiting the U.P. State Fair has been a tradition for Michigan’s governors going back decades.

Whitmer is in the U.P. on her “Make It in Michigan” tour. On Wednesday, she visited Negaunee and Marquette during her first day in the Upper Peninsula. In Negaunee, Whitmer joined graduates of the First Annual Building Trades and Construction Council summer camp and delivered the keynote address at their graduation. In Marquette, Whitmer joined the Northern Michigan University Foundation, City of Marquette, and developer Veridea Group for an update on the redevelopment of the former Marquette General Hospital. The site will be transformed into commercial spaces and housing, including affordable and workforce housing. The State of Michigan invested $4,782,542 toward this project.

Whitmer also joined state Representative Jenn Hill for a walking tour of Iron Street in Negaunee to see the construction of new water, sewer, and road infrastructure, and the addition of green space. One of the projects they will view is the roof replacement of the historic Vista Theater which was allocated $3 million in the most recent state budget.

There are plenty of activities the rest of the week at the U.P. State Fair.

During Honored Citizens Day on Thursday, seniors and Native Americans receive discounted admission and veterans with a DD214 are admitted for free. The Veteran of the Year Award will be presented at 11 a.m., and luncheon with Governor Gretchen Whitmer will be held at noon. A Native American Celebration takes place at 2 p.m. Overall livestock showmanship may be seen at 6:30 p.m. The music at the grandstand will be from country singer-songwriter Ashley McBryde.

Friday ushers in “Flapjacks to Blackjacks.” With the 9 a.m. livestock skillathon, this is an early fair morning — and there will be pancakes. It continues to be a big day around the animals, with the junior beef team fitting contest at 2 p.m., the beef supreme champion presented at 4 p.m. and the chicken and egg auction at 6 p.m. The grandstand entertainment is hard rock band Night Ranger, best known for 1984 hit “Sister Christian.” The Island Resort and Casino tent — accessible only to adults over 18 — will be operating a golf simulator and teaching blackjack.

Saturday’s big event is the junior market livestock auction at 11 a.m. The day’s presenter is Tractor Supply. Pork Chop Revue performs at 11:30 a.m., 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Draft horses and ponies will be competing in pulls in the afternoon. Grammy-winning Switchfoot, known for “Dare You to Move” and more, kicks off at the grandstand at 8 p.m.

Sunday is Meijer Family Day. Scouts in uniform get free admission when accompanied by a ticketed adult. Horses show in western and trail. With the music stage gone, the grandstand will overlook the track as Escanaba Speedway Racing takes over at 6 p.m. Fireworks begin at dusk on Sunday.

Admission for those aged 13 and above is $10 daily or $35 for the week. Children aged 6 to 12 are admitted for $5 each day or $20 for the week. Children five and under enter free.

Mega Bands have been sold out since the morning of June 23, but single-day wristbands for rides may be purchased for $30 at the ticket booths on site throughout the fair. Wristbands grant access to all rides except Top Gun, which requires four tickets in addition to a band or 12 tickets without a band. Other rides require between three and six tickets without a band. Tickets are $1.50 each or $60 for a sheet of 50.