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U.P. State Fair returns Monday with new attractions, familiar favorites

By Sophie Vogelmann 5 min read

Editor's note: The Upper Peninsula State Fair schedule is subject to change at any time and without notice. All events are weather permitting. The full schedule can be found on the U.P. State Fair website.

ESCANABA -- For one week each summer, the Upper Peninsula State Fair brings agriculture, entertainment and community together in Escanaba. That tradition continues Aug. 17-23, as thousands of visitors are expected to pass through the fairgrounds for a celebration highlighting America’s 250th birthday.

While many fan favorites and familiar exhibits will return to the site, new performers will also take the stage, offering fairgoers fresh entertainment alongside historic traditions.

Daily entertainment will include the Skerbeck Entertainment Group Midway, featuring dozens of family-friendly and thrill-inducing rides; cheese sculptor, Nancy Baker; Antique Village; Whispering Pines Petting Zoo; Department of Natural Resources Pocket Park; sand sculpting by the Art Club, known for their local Bigfoot statues; Miracle of Life exhibit and Growing UP Foresters; Dominguez Royal Legacy Circus; bingo tent; red, white and brew beer tent; art in the Ruth Butler Building; and world-record holding toys from Bay College.

Every day except Monday, doves will be released outside the poultry barn at 3 p.m.

This year, the new "donkey cart people mover" will provide transportation to guests of all ages between key areas of the grounds. Gold cart shuttles will also be available along the route.

Parking is free, though donations to volunteers with the Knights of Columbus are welcome. 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.

The U.P. State Fair got its start in 1928, when it was held in mid-September. In its nearly 100-year history, the fair has only been cancelled due to three major events -- World War II, the polio epidemic and the COVID-19 pandemic.

The tagline for the 2026 fair is "United in Fun," celebrating America's 250th birthday this year. Like in previous years, each day of the fair features a different theme, bringing a unique experience to the festivities.

Monday -- "United in Fun"

Kicking off fair week at 9 a.m. is the junior horse pleasure in the horse arena. At noon, the royal court crowning will take place in the horse arena, as well. The fair gates and carnival midway will officially open at 5 p.m., with the junior beef showmanship in the livestock arena and music in the gazebo to follow. New this year, the Dominguez Royal Legacy Circus will perform at both 7 and 9 p.m. As is consistent for 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 -- "Chewsday Tuesday"

From Tuesday until the end of the week, buildings and exhibits open at 10:30 a.m., and the carnival midway opens at 11 a.m. A period from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. will feature reduced lights and sounds for a sensory friendly midway experience. Some food vendors will participate in “Chewsday” and offer specials or samples from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Various animal shows will take place in the morning. The ATV Big Air Show in the Grandstand will take place at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Wednesday -- "Senior Citizens Day"

"Senior Citizens Day" offers reduced admission for seniors (65 and older) all day. Line dancing classes run from 4 to 6 p.m. in the activities tent. The strolling piano is a returning fan favorite and will begin at 4:30 p.m., performing at various times until the end of the week. Horses will show off their looks during the horse costume show in the horse arena at 6 p.m. At night in the grandstand, Phil Vasaar will play at 8 p.m.

Thursday -- "Honored Citizens Day"

"Honored Citizens Day" includes reduced admission for Native Americans and free admission for veterans with identification. After junior dairy, poultry and horse jumping shows in the morning, the veteran awards ceremony will commence at 10:30 a.m. As in years past, Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist will attend a luncheon in the activities tent. The overall livestock junior showmanship competition is at 6:30 p.m in the livestock arena. The grandstand performance of the night is Tia Wood at 8 p.m.

Friday -- "Self Care and Wellness Experience"

Friday is a full day for animal competitions, 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. The widely anticipated rock band, Daughtry, will perform for Friday's Grandstand entertainment.

Saturday -- "Agriculture Day"

Saturday begins with a horse speed show in the morning, and the junior market livestock auction is to follow. The Dog Show Spectacular is to take place in the activities tent at 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. The indoor horse arena will host draft horse and pony pulls at 4 p.m. Midland is the 8 p.m. Grandstand entertainment.

Sunday -- "Family Day & Scout Activities"

The last day of the fair gives free admission to scouts in uniform. The fair beings wrapping up with barns starting to shut at 9 a.m., and all livestock barns will be closed to the public by 3 p.m. The day will still feature many highlights, though, with the poultry and rabbit award ceremony, UPW Pro Wrestling in the Grandstand and the Escanaba Motor Speedway Races. Fireworks in the Grandstand will take place at dusk, concluding this year's fair week.

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Sophie Vogelmann can be reached at 906-786-2021 or svogelmann@dailypress.net.

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