ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – The second day of the U.P. State Fair has become known as Chewsday Tuesday. It’s an opportunity for food vendors to draw some extra foot traffic and for fairgoers to try something new.
“You can go around to all the participating vendors and get a smaller version of all of our favorite foods,” explained Billie Jo Smith, owner of CK’s Mexican & More from Harrison.
CK’s Mexican & More offered a reduced portion size of its nacho supreme for the occasion.
“Usually, our nacho supreme is a full-size plate, and it’s full and loaded, and it’s about $12,” Smith said. “This version is going to be $7. It’ll give people an opportunity to try multiple things instead of one expensive thing all day.”
Smith says the annual promotion provides a sales boost for vendors. It also makes the dining experience more affordable for large groups and families.
“I have five kids,” said Smith. “They don’t want to share with each other. Instead of buying three nacho supremes full size and waste half of them, they get the chance to each have their own.”
All of the vendors benefited from the increase in passersby, including The Lazy Lemon.
“We sell lemonade, and we are based in Lower Michigan in the Harrison area,” said team member Delilah Sunderlin. “We have a whole bunch of different flavors—blue razz, strawberry, and mango.”
With more than 100,000 people expected to come through the gates in total, that adds up to a lot of lemons.
“In a day, it’s about 300,” Sunderlin said. “We plan to go through about 2,500 all this week.”
The process can get sticky, and the temperature can get hot. However, Sunderlin says helping patrons get their hands on their favorite U.P. State Fair treat is what’s most important.
“It’s definitely been a rush,” she said. “Sometimes it’s stressful, I won’t lie, but it’s worth it to see them smile at the end and getting that last sip right in front of you. It’s worth it.”
While the Chewsday Tuesday deals may have passed, there are still plenty of unique items to try at the fair. Attendees have until the end of the day on Sunday to do so.
Visit upstatefair.net to see the full 2026 U.P. State Fair schedule.
