A Rear-View Mirror Look at the U.P. State Fair
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For nearly a century, the U.P. State Fair has been where generations of families come together to celebrate agriculture, community, tradition and, of course, a little fun. As we prepare to open the gates in a few short days for another "best week of summer" and look ahead to the Fair's Centennial Celebration in 2028, it seems like the perfect time to look back at how it all began.
Long before the midway lights, grandstand concerts, livestock barns and familiar fair food favorites, Upper Peninsula residents were already gathering to celebrate the harvest and the people who called this place home.
In 1878, the first agricultural fair in the U.P. was held on Ogden Avenue facing Lake Michigan in the yard of the Tilden House. The Delta County road system hadn't been developed yet, but people traveled by wagon on two-track roads to view and support the harvest of early settlers.
The celebration was a success, and as agriculture expanded across the Upper Peninsula, so did enthusiasm for the fair.
In 1909, one of the largest events yet was planned as a two-day fair and farmers market picnic. It grew into a three-day celebration in the 800 block of Ludington Street featuring live bands, dancing, exhibits, horse racing and baseball games. Awards were even presented for horses, dairy cows, turkeys and live deer! An outreach committee sent postcards inviting former residents home and greeted arriving guests at railroad depots and boat landings.
That enthusiasm led to the establishment of the Delta County Agricultural Society, with members representing townships throughout Delta County and working together to grow the annual event.
By 1911, the Upper Peninsula Development Bureau was promoting the U.P. beyond the region. Agriculture was an early focus as timber was harvested and farmland expanded. Clover grew readily around the remaining stumps, inspiring the name "Cloverland" to describe the U.P. The Cloverland Magazine was even published touting the advantages of farming here.
In 1912, the "Big Fair" was held at the Fair Store in downtown Escanaba. Corn, beans and other exhibits filled the store while animals were shown in an empty lot behind it. Attendance broke records with more than 8,000 people joining the celebration.
Soon, voters approved a $12,000 bond proposal to purchase land for a permanent fairgrounds. Property was acquired, the beef barn was built and the event became known as the Northern Michigan Fair.
Horse racing was a priority, and in 1916 a premier racetrack was constructed. It was impressive enough to attract 40 horses from Wisconsin, Lower Michigan and Canada.
By 1918, fairgoers could enjoy a Wild West show, merry-go-round and Ferris wheel brought to Escanaba by Parke Amusement of Detroit ~ quite a journey when you consider there was no Mackinac Bridge!
The fair continued breaking records. In 1922, the Northern Michigan Fair celebrated attendance of 12,000. More than a century later, in 2025, another record was set when more than 100,000 guests passed through the gates.
So, how did the Northern Michigan Fair become the U.P. State Fair?
Herbert Rushton of Escanaba, chairman of the Delta County Agricultural Society, had been instrumental in building the racetrack and later became State Senator for the district. Knowing the State of Michigan funded a fair in Detroit, he asked a simple but important question: Why couldn't the State fund a fair in the Upper Peninsula, too?
Rushton introduced legislation to transfer the land, buildings and racetrack to the State of Michigan and became known as the Father of the U.P. State Fair.
A fair was not held in 1927 while negotiations were underway. Then, from September 17-22, 1928, a new tradition was born when the first-ever U.P. State Fair celebrated agriculture, community and life in the Upper Peninsula.
George E. Harvey was hired as fair manager and began booking entertainment in January 1928, a tradition that continues nearly a century later, as today's U.P. State Fair management team begins that same process each January during the Michigan Association of Fairs and Exhibitions Convention.
Governor Fred W. Green attended that inaugural fair and was greeted by an incredible 30,000 people on Governor's Day. Today, that tradition continues as Honored Citizens Day, when U.P. State Fair Authority and Chamber members host the annual Governor's Luncheon and recognize those who have made important contributions to our peninsula.
Following that first U.P. State Fair, a Daily Press headline proclaimed, "Foundation laid for future growth." Ninety-eight years later, those words proved remarkably prophetic. Generations of volunteers, exhibitors, agricultural families, businesses, sponsors and fairgoers have built upon that foundation, determined to preserve this important celebration of agriculture and community.
And now, another chapter is ready to be written. The barns are being prepared, the midway will soon come alive, and before we know it, the gates will swing open once again. We can't wait to welcome you back to the U.P. State Fair to make a few more memories and celebrate, together, the "best week of summer!"