The 112th annual event officially opens at 5 p.m. Thursday, offering five days of family entertainment at the Norway fairgrounds. The fair will close at 5 p.m. Monday.

Fair officials, workers and volunteers have been busy preparing, said Dickinson County Fair Board President John Degenaer Jr., adding they have made many improvements on the grounds.

The bathrooms on the midway were completely remodeled, which was made possible through a Michigan Department of Agriculture grant. “What a big improvement — a complete turnaround,” Degenaer said. “They also have coin-operated showers.”

Spectators can check out the new roof on the grandstands and new lighting on the race track. “The painting of the stands is currently in progress and will be finished after fair time,” said Degenaer.

Skerbeck Family Carnival employee Jeremy Carr, above, directs Shawn Beiley, left, and James Culp with setup of the Ferris wheel at the 2022 Dickinson County Fair.

Major improvements to the horticulture building were made this year, thanks to a donation from a local resident.

Degenaer is pleased with how many of the projects were accomplished. “A lot of these may not be visual, but it’s there,” he said, adding another benefit is having the multipurpose office building paid off.

This year, the fair board decided to go back to a 4-H structure for the animal market project. “Only Dickinson County residents will be able to participate under this change,” Degenaer said.

Thursday is Exhibitor Day, with the breeding livestock show scheduled from noon to 4:30 p.m. The carnival gets in full swing at 4 p.m. and continues until the fair closes at 11 p.m. Ride armbands can be purchased for $25 each day.

The exhibition building will be open from 4 to 10 p.m. as well.

Grandstand entertainment kicks off Thursday night with Wisconsin Upper Michigan Pulling Association and local truck pulls at 6 p.m.

American Legion bingo runs from 3 to 9 p.m. in the office building.

In addition to truck pulls, other popular attractions like the demolition derby, music concert and stock car racing highlight the long-running tradition.

“The schedule remains pretty much the same as in the past,” said Degenaer. Daily activities on the midway include log rolling, a chainsaw carver and a petting zoo.

At this point, the weather forecast looks exceptional. “I think we should have a good fair,” Degenaer said. “We are hoping for another successful year.”

Gate admission is $6 daily or $20 for the week. Children five and younger are free. Monday’s admission is $1 per person. All grandstand shows are free with the entry fee.

Today

4 to 10 p.m.: Market and breeding animal entries (beef, swine, sheep and goats)

4 to 10 p.m.: Open animal entries (all animals and livestock including horses, poultry, waterfowl and rabbits)

10 a.m. to 8 p.m.: All other still entries accepted

Thursday, Exhibitor Day

9 a.m. to 5 p.m.: All other animal entries

Noon to 4:30 p.m.: Breeding livestock show

4 to 10 p.m.: Exhibition building open

4 p.m. to close: Carnival opens, bracelet night

5 p.m.: Official opening of the fair

3 to 9 p.m.: Bingo

6 p.m.: WUMPA and Local Truck Pull

Friday, Youth Day

7 a.m. to noon: All youth and open dairy entries

8:30 a.m.: Judging (except those listed)

2:30 p.m.: Draft horse show

2:30 p.m.: Youth market livestock show (beef, swine, sheep, and goats)

1 to 10 p.m.: Exhibition building open

10 a.m.: Tractor Pull

1 to 9 p.m.: Bingo

1 to close: Carnival opens, bracelet day

2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m.: Lumberjack Show

8 p.m.: Demolition Derby

Saturday, Agriculture Day

8:30 a.m.: Poultry and rabbit judging

9 a.m.: Open horse show

11 a.m.: Dairy judging

11 a.m.: Pony pull and draft horse pull

11 a.m.: Horseshoe pitch, singles and doubles

4 p.m.: Youth livestock auction

11 a.m. to 10 p.m.: Exhibition building open

10 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Home Depot (The Kid’s Building Workshop)

11 a.m. to close: Carnival opens

11 a.m.: Pony pull — open draft horse pulls to follow

1 to 9 p.m.: Bingo

2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m.: Lumberjack Show

Noon to 6 p.m.: Paula D (Wally Bouchey pavilion)

6 to 11 p.m.: Free music concert (50-50 drawing during event) featuring Next Myle and The Descendants

Sunday, Race Day

9 a.m.: Youth horse show

1 p.m.: Fun Dog Show (Registration at 11 a.m.)

2 p.m.: Horse speed events

11 a.m. to 10 p.m.: Exhibition building open

11 a.m. to close: Carnival opens

1 p.m.: Annual Fair Fun Dog Show

1 to 9 p.m.: Bingo

2 p.m., 4 p.m., 6 p.m.: Lumberjack Show

Noon to 6 p.m.: Paula D (Wally Bouchey Pavilion)

4 p.m.: Labor Day “100” Race (Presented by the Dickinson County Race Association)

Monday, Senior Day

8 a.m.: Dickinson County 4-H Council Fun Horse Show registration

9 a.m.: Dickinson County 4-H Council Fun Horse Show

5 p.m.: Exhibits released

11 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Exhibition building open

11 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Carnival opens, rides are $1 each

1 to 5 p.m.: Bingo

Noon, 2 p.m., 4 p.m.: Lumberjack Show

11 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Go karts

11 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Paula D (Wally Bouchey Pavilion)

Terri Castelaz can be reached at 906-774-2772 ext. 241, or tcastelaz@ironmountaindailynews.com.