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Menominee County kicks off area fairs Thursday

Haven Havelka of Wallace shows off her miniature horse during last year’s Menominee County Fair. The fair will take place Thursday through Sunday at Shakey Lakes County Park in Stephenson. (Submitted photo)

STEPHENSON — The 2025 Menominee County Fair will take place Thursday through Sunday at Shakey Lakes County Park, with fair officials promising four full days of entertainment, agriculture, competitions and community celebration.

Preparations have gone smoothly, said Debbie Smith, who took over a fair manager last year after six years on the fair board.

“We have a very cohesive board. We all work well together. They’re very enthusiastic and dedicated to the fair. It’s going amazing,” she said, adding they try to introduce something new every year.

Fair attendance has been growing, with 3,700 coming to the 2024 event, she said.

One of the big events of the fair is the Craft Beer & Wine Tasting, which drew 225 people last year and she expects more this year because there are more sponsors. Tickets for that event are $30, with the Todd Wangerin Project of the Iron Mountain area expected to perform.

While the fair has plenty of activities for all, they try to focus on the kids.

The Tickler Farm & Forest Products Petting Zoo will be open from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

The Escape from Within Escape Room returns this year. Trying the room is free but a time must be reserved. It will be available for use from noon to 7 p.m. Thursday, noon to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 3 p.m. Sunday.

The Jumpin’ Good Time Bounce Houses are back as well and open from noon to 7 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

For the adults, they have added Back 40 Axe Throwing. Axes can be swung from noon to 7 p.m. Thursday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Still exhibits from children and adults will be accepted from 2 and 6 p.m. Wednesday. Placement of rabbits and poultry takes place from 3 to 6 p.m. Wednesday.

The fair kicks off Thursday with dairy cattle registration at 8 a.m. and placement of beef animals until 4 p.m.

Fairgoers can enjoy live music each day. The Grand Design Band of Escanaba opens from noon to 4 p.m. Thursday, playing a variety of classic rock and country music. Wisconsin band Sonic Circus will perform rock music from 7 to 11 p.m.

On Friday, Logan Spicer of Wisconsin provides country and southern rock acoustic music from noon to 4 p.m. Todd Wangerin Project will offer a variety of music during the Craft Beer & Wine Tasting. The evening ends with country and southern rock music by Neon Detour of Marinette, Wis.

Saturday has two local bands — the Todd Wangerin Project returns for another show noon to 4 p.m. and classic rock band Oz is on stage from 7 to 11 p.m.

Sunday will have cowboy church music performed by The Country Classics starting at 10 a.m. A DJ, sponsored by Bob & Brenda Becker of Custom Truck & Equipment, will entertain from noon to 4 p.m.

On Thursday, judging of still exhibits will begin at 9 a.m.; youth poultry showmanship starts at 9 a.m., followed by all other poultry events. The veteran and junior horse show starts at 10 a.m. and rabbits will be judged from 1 to 4 p.m.

There will be closed interviews for the queen and princess from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday. New this year are junior miss and tiny miss categories. The pageant will take place at 5 p.m., with crowning at 8:45 a.m. Friday.

Friday will be Veterans Day, with a flag-raising ceremony and dove release at 10 a.m. Placement of miniature horses and mini donkeys starts at 9 a.m. The horseback scavenger hunt and miniature horse and donkey show both start at 10 a.m. Rabbit showmanship starts at 9 a.m. Beef registration ends at 11 a.m.

The Menominee County Sheriff Department will have a K9 demonstration at 1:45 p.m.; the department has three canine officers, Dina, Jace and Kado.

Kids can take part in the Power Wheels Demo Derby at 2 p.m. in the playground. The horse and pony pull competition begins at 4 p.m. The horseshoe tournament starts at 5 p.m. and the bean bag tournament is at 7 p.m. A food auction will take place at 6 p.m.

Wind Rose North Outfitter’s Glow Paddle event will launch at 8 p.m. at Shakey Lakes Park, with registration beginning at 7 p.m. The theme for the event this year is “Carnival,” with several prizes for the best decorated canoes and kayaks. Cost is $15 in advance through Friday or $20 day of the event.

Ladies Day on Saturday kicks off with the 5k walk/run at 8 a.m. Dairy registration ends at 11 a.m. Beef judging and showmanship will start 9 a.m., followed by dairy show and showmanship. The Ladies Day program will be at 10 a.m. under the tent, followed by bingo. A fishing tournament starts at 9 a.m. at the pier for ages 2 to 16.

Tractor pulls begin at 11 a.m. followed by truck pulls at noon. The Logger Mac & Ponsse Pull for a Cause, featuring horses and ponies, begins at 1 p.m.

On Family Day on Sunday, the fourth-annual “Have Fun with Your Dog Show” starts at 9 a.m., with registration at 8 a.m. The Nicolet Bank Booth will have a coin scramble at 10 a.m. A new event for kids is the foam party from 1 to 3 p.m. Another new event is a ATV/UTV Pull starting at noon.

Ed the Diver will give a dive demonstration at 10 a.m., followed by a meet-and-greet. The Menominee County Sheriff Department K9 demonstration will be at 8:45 a.m. and the Mellon Township Fire Department will have a water rescue demonstration at 10 a.m.

The sheep show starts at 10 a.m. Sunday, with the goat show to follow. The junior poultry and rabbit market auction takes place at noon. There will also be a tractor skill driving contest at noon.

All exhibits will be released between 4 and 5 p.m.

Admission is $5 per day or $10 for a weekend wristband, with ages 5 and younger getting in for free.

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Marguerite Lanthier can be reached at 906-774-3500, ext. 85242, or mlanthier@ironmountaindailynews.com.

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