Courtesy photo A few of the first guests to start making a sensory/calming water bottle at the Pathways booth at the U.P. State Fair.

ESCANABA — This year at the U.P. State Fair, organizers made sure that everyone had a chance to enjoy their fair-going experience. On Tuesday, the fair held sensory day, a period of time from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. — made to be gentler for people with sensory sensitivities; lights and sounds were reduced for those two hours. This is the first year the fair implemented such a day, and it served as the test run for future years.

Life Skill Technician at Pathways, Paula Judson said she was approached by Delta County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Vickie Micheau who wanted to incorporate sensory days at the fair. Judson jumped at the idea, and sensory day was born.

“We decided to come and support the autism community,” Judson said.

Judson and crew brought fidget spinners and disability awareness information to hand out to fairgoers.

“It’s important for us to be in the community, so people see how to interact with individuals that have different needs,” Judson said.

Behavior analysts from Pathways were also in attendance for those who had any questions on how behavior therapy can assist them or their families.

In addition to the many items given away, Judson helped attendees make sensory/calming water bottles. The bottles are emptied and then filled with oil, glitter and water — giving the person something calming and interesting to look at.

After the day was over, Judson reflected on the new sensory day, saying it was a success.

“I think it was successful for the first year,” she said.

She said that a lot of kids, including her own, got to experience the fair for the first time. Additionally, she said that they were able to make a lot of connections with the community as well as provide education.

“For the first year, it was awesome. Hopefully, next year we can make it bigger and better,” Judson said.

According to its website, pathways is an organization that provides specialized mental health services to adults who have serious mental illness, adults and children who have an intellectual/developmental disability as well as childcare who have a serious emotional disturbance.

It offers an array of mental health services based on the person’s needs.

To learn more about Pathways, visit www.pathwaysup.org.