ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – The Upper Peninsula State Fair is one of four fairs in the Upper Peninsula receiving state funding for facility upgrades.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) awarded $1.5 million to 24 fairs throughout the state for building and capital improvements. The U.P. State Fairgrounds was awarded $100,000.
“It’s super exciting because it’s a highly competitive grant,” said Fairgrounds Operations Manager Matt Valiquette. “They receive somewhere between 40 – 50 applications every year, so we are fortunate to be awarded this grant.”
The $100,000 grant will be used to update the beef arena and pavilion. The update will include resurfacing, replacing the current seating with ten rows of aluminum bleachers, and extending the roof to meet the north side of the beef barn.
Valiquette says the improvements will enhance the experience livestock exhibitors, auction bidders, and everyone else involved in or attending an event at the arena
“It’s a multi-species livestock auction arena, and so we’re really looking forward to expanding its use beyond just the livestock component of the fair and the other 51 weeks of the year,” he said. “It’s certainly going to enhance accessibility, and we’re excited to see what opportunities it presents.”
According to Valiquette preparation for the 2024 U.P. State Fair began just days after the end of last year’s fair. This week, crews are focusing on landscaping this week in preparation for the many events scheduled throughout the summer.
“This week kicks off the unofficial start to summer with the Krusin’ Klassics Fun Run,” Valiquette said. “We’re busy enhancing the grounds. We did quite a bit of renovations over the winter on our beef barn and dairy barn restrooms. We have also improved our public address systems across the entire 140-acre grounds. The Escanaba Speedway folks have done a tremendous amount of work improving the surface in the grandstand, both in terms of accessibility and the overall show itself. We’ve been at it, so come on down and check us out!”
WZMQ 19 is a proud sponsor of the 2024 U.P. State Fair and will provide coverage throughout the week. The fair runs August 12 – August 18. Visit upstatefair.net for details about this year’s fair.
