Familiar acts and exhibits will return to the grounds along with some new performers and attractions. Every day, people will be able to see the cheese sculptor, Sarah Kaufmann; acrobatics by second-generation circus performer Ivan Arestov; the Antique Village; the petting zoo; the DNR Pocket Park; the strolling piano; sand sculpting by Art Club, the group that built Bigfoot statues on the beaches of Escanaba and Gladstone recently; the Miracle of Life barn; art in the Ruth Butler Building; and world-record holding toys. Every day except Monday, doves will be released outside the poultry barn at 3 p.m. FIRST Robotics demonstrations and bingo will take place Tuesday through Sunday.

Daily and weekly admission tickets are available online at upstatefair.net and at the gate. For those interested in going on the rides supplied by Skerbeck Entertainment Group, wristbands (which cover all but one ride) and individual tickets are sold from a booth on the grounds and online as well.

The tagline for the 2025 fair is “experience the extraordinary.” As in years past, most days of the fair carry a different theme.

MONDAY

R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press Fairgoers walk the midway at the 2024 U.P. State Fair.

The first day begins with gates opening at 5 p.m. An hour later, a cornhole tournament kicks off in the grandstand. The queen court crowning takes place at 6:30 p.m. Arestov’s Acrobatic Extravaganza performs at 8:00 and 9:30 p.m. As is consistent each night of the fair, the barns close at 10 p.m. and the exhibits in the Ruth Butler building (RBB) are viewable until 10:30 p.m.

TUESDAY

Meant to be easier on those with sensory sensitivities, a period from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. will feature reduced lights and sounds. Some food vendors will participate in “Chewsday” and offer specials or samples until 4 p.m. Beef cattle shows take place in the morning. Acrobatics acts are at 12:00 and 2:30 p.m. Paula D. will play music from the gazebo near the RBB at 4 p.m. From 8 p.m. in the grandstand Tuesday night, the Fab Four tribute band will play Beatles songs.

WEDNESDAY

The 13th is “Senior Citizens Day” and offers reduced admission for seniors (65 and older) all day and wellness activities on the grandstand concourse from 11 a.m.

Daily Press file photo A young boy enjoys the carousel at the Upper Peninsula State Fair. Carousels are just one of the attractions on the midway that cater to young fairgoers.

The market swine show begins at 9 a.m. Draft horse shows are at 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 6 p.m.

Arestov the acrobat may be seen at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. Paula D is scheduled to perform music at the RBB gazebo at 4 p.m.

At night in the grandstand, Forgotten Highway plays at 6:45 p.m. and Diamond Rio goes on at 8 p.m.

THURSDAY

“Honored Citizens Day” includes reduced admission for Native Americans and free admission for veterans. After cattle, junior dairy, poultry and horse jumping shows in the morning, the veteran awards ceremony will be at 10:30 a.m. Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist will attend the fair and a luncheon. A miniature horse show is at 1 p.m.

The acrobatic acts are at 2:30, 4:30 and 6 p.m.

At 5 p.m., local Celtic band Failte will play at the gazebo outside RBB. The overall livestock showmanship competition is at 6:30 p.m. The grandstand performance of the night is Snotty Nose Rez Kids at 8 p.m.

FRIDAY

With horse shows, the livestock skillathon and the Scottish highland cattle show in the morning, and then the beef team fitting contest and beef supreme champion in the afternoon, it’s a full day for animal competitions, with acrobat shows and strolling piano rounds punctuating the schedule. As with every day from Tuesday on, the midway and carnival rides open at 11 a.m.

Acrobat shows are at 1:30, 5, and 7:30 p.m.

Failte performs at 5 p.m. at the RBB gazebo.

The chicken and egg auction is at 6 p.m.

Justin Moore plays the grandstand at 8 p.m.

SATURDAY

A dog show in the activities tent at noon on the wast side of the grounds is one highlight of the Saturday docket. There’s a horse speed show at 8:30 a.m., the junior market livestock auction at 11 a.m. and draft horse and pony pulls at 5 p.m.

Arestov’s Acrobatic Extravaganza is at 11:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Pop Evil is the 8 p.m. grandstand entertainment.

SUNDAY

The last day of the fair gives free admission to scouts in uniform. Things begin wrapping up with the market beef exhibits closing at 11:30 and barns starting to shut at 3 p.m.

Arestov the acrobat performs at 2 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Pro wrestling at the grandstand concourse at 5 p.m. is sponsored by South City Pub.

A DJ makes the last stroll with the piano at 9 p.m., and fireworks from the grandstand at 10 p.m. mark the conclusion of the fair, which officially closes at 10:30 p.m.

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