The Upper Peninsula State Fair had record attendance this year. (Upper Limits Media photo)

ESCANABA — Now in its 96th year, the Upper Peninsula State Fair is once again coming to the fairgrounds in Escanaba. Beginning the evening of Monday, Aug. 12, and running through Sunday, Aug. 18, the vendors, exhibitors, entertainers and attendees from near and far will contribute to the fair’s missions of promoting agriculture; encouraging economic development; and furthering education on the U.P.’s heritage, culture, industries and natural resources.

Last year, the grounds embraced a record number of fairgoers — a reported 104,000 — and in 2024, fair week could “be bigger than ever, with an exciting lineup of new activities that promise to delight attendees of all ages,” said Vickie Micheau, executive director of the Delta County Chamber of Commerce.

This year, the Knights of Columbus will help guide parking between around 2 and 8 p.m. each day. The suggested donation is $1 per car, with funds raised going directly to Pregnancy Services of Delta County for service of their ultrasound machine.

The first day, Monday, gates open at 5 p.m., with a horse show kicking things off. The queen crowning will take place at 6:30 p.m. in the beef show ring.

Every day on the carnival midway, there will be food, games and rides provided by Skerbeck Entertainment. The Guinness World Record-holding big toys by Bay College will be on display near the Miracle of Life building, where live births of calves, lambs, and piglets may be seen along with hatching chicks.

K-9s in Flight — a nationally-renowned acrobatic show of “homeless to high-flying” rescue dogs — will perform at various times but give multiple shows each day. School robotics teams driving and playing with their creations, a bingo tent, beer tent, the Whispering Pines Petting Zoo, beloved cheese sculptor Sarah Kaufmann, the DNR Pocket Park, the Steam and Gas Association’s Antique Village, a dove release and the Growing UP Foresters exhibit will all be on-site every day as well.

New attractions include a “sensory-friendly” midway from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, when sounds and lights will be minimized for those with sensitivities who still wish to enjoy the carnival rides and games.

“It’s a start with a possibility of expanding in the future,” Micheau said.

Tuesday is also “Chewsday,” with participating food vendors offering samples and discounts between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Another “new” item on Senior Citizens Day (Wednesday) is a wellness fair in the activities tent; something similar had been held in the past but not recently, said organizer Lydia LaPalm. This year, it’s sponsored by the Community Action Agency and brings together providers of healthcare, insurance, holistic treatments, Big Brothers Big Sisters, AARP, caregivers, the Department of Public Health and more. The theme is “putting the pieces together for a healthier you.” The wellness fair will begin at 11 a.m. and conclude after the drawing of door prizes around 2:15 p.m.

The mobile music of the Strolling Piano makes its first appearance on Wednesday and will have several more on the following days.

A tradition since the first U.P. State Fair in 1928, when then-governor Fred Green attended, Honored Citizens Day (Thursday) includes the highlight of a luncheon with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, preceded by a performance by the 100-year-old Escanaba City Band. Native Americans have a low-cost admission and veterans enter free on Thursday, which also features a Native American celebration at 2 p.m.

Friday brings Ladies Day and Men’s Night. A cooking show hosted by Steve Gakstatter from the Island Resort and Casino includes live chef presentations. There is to be a cookbook compiled from a recipe contest; recipes featuring at least one U.P.-cultivated ingredient may be submitted online by Aug. 1. Entries for the 47th annual quilt block contest, with a red and white theme, must be received by Aug. 2.

Saturday, Agriculture Day, is presented by Tractor Supply. The junior market livestock auction and horse pulls are that day, but there are also shows of horses, cattle, swine, rabbits and poultry throughout the week.

The first dog show hosted by D&D Dog Dynamics will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and has several categories for competition — from skills like nosework to titles like “best dressed” and “most character.”

The grandstands will host Escanaba Motor Speedway racing on Monday, a cornhole tournament on Tuesday, fireworks on Sunday, and musical artists the other nights. Taking the stage will be Tracy Byrd and special guests The Riflemen on Wednesday, Hailey Whitters on Thursday, Dorothy and Fuel on Friday, and Parmalee on Saturday.

Said Micheau: “Don’t miss out on the largest event in the U.P. — it’s going to be an unforgettable experience filled with fun, laughter, and memories to last a lifetime.”