It’s UP State Fair week, the time when a large chunk of our population makes its way down to Escanaba for the rides, the games, the animals, and that oh-so delicious cholesterol fried cholesterol that you can only eat at a fair.
To most of us, Escanaba and the UP State Fair are linked together forever, just like Houghton & Tech, the Soo & the Locks, Trenary and toast, Paulding and Lights, Seney and the Stretch…
Well, you get the idea.
In fact, when I was a little kid, I thought that Escanaba only existed because of the fair, and was quite surprised when we drove through the town one winter and Escanaba was still there.
That’s how closely the two are tied together.
That’s why I think it’s great that people will be heading to Escanaba this week. For all the emphasis the UP puts on tourism, we don’t do a lot of traveling to other UP communities ourselves. I mean, how often do we hit the road for a day trip to Iron Mountain or an overnight to Ironwood? I kinda wonder if we’re not missing out on something because of it.
Despite the fact that tourists seem to think that everyone who lives up here is exactly the same, we’re not.
What you see or what you do or who you meet in Marquette is certainly different from what you’d see or do or meet in Iron River.
Every UP community is unique, and that’s why events like the UP State Fair are so important. They get us out of our everyday bubble, give us a reason to hit the road, and let us see how our fellow Yoopers live.
So if you have the chance to head to the Fair, take it. If not, think about a drive to the Soo and the locks or Houghton and Winter Carnival.
After all, our home is a wonderful place filled with wonderful people, all of whom each live unique and fascinating lives. I really hope you get the chance to experience as much of it as you can.
And if you do make it to the Fair in the next few days, have a bite of cholesterol fried cholesterol for me. I’d sure appreciate it.
I’m Jim Koski, and that’s another slice of “Life in the 906.”
