Tradition Lives On with Family Fun at Michigan State Fair
The Michigan State Fair, considered a beloved tradition for many families, is underway in Novi, featuring everything from carnival rides, fair food, to the much-anticipated butter cow sculpture. Michigan, known for its motto “If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you,” is living up to it by giving families an exciting way to wrap up their summer.
Gwen Brito, who shared having fond memories of attending the state fair as a child, couldn’t wait to give her 9-year-old daughter, Alizay the same experience. Alizay enjoyed a typical fun fair day with thrilling rides like the Ring of Fire and Phantoms Revenge, and even had her face painted with a beautiful sunset design.
This family-oriented event, happening at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, is expected to attract thousands of visitors till Labor Day. One of the major attraction at the fair was the “My Michigan Farmland” exhibit, which includes an array of livestock and gardening competitions. Apart from this, one quirky and unique tradition that seems to captivate many attendees is the refrigerated display of butter cow. This delightful sculpture weighs around 475 pounds and is certainly a sight to behold.
The Michigan State Fair, first held in 1849, had to pause operations in 2009 due to budget constraints. It made a triumphant return in 2012 at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi. Fair manager, McKenzie Bowman, voiced her excitement for every single visitor who made it to the fair, expressing the hope that visitors really embrace and appreciate the traditions that the fair has worked hard to keep alive.
Bowman praised last year’s turnout of about 250,000 visitors and hopes that this year’s fair will garner similar enthusiastic participation. This year’s fair, she added, includes new additions like a mini horse section in the livestock area and a fun logrolling contest. Plus, the fair is operating from 11 a.m. till late, offering visitors ample time to enjoy all the attractions and events.
Another exciting part of the fair is “My Michigan Farmland” exhibit. Crafted by Lisa Reiff, it boasts interactive experiences like petting animals, including goats and a mini horse, and also offers a truly hands-on agricultural experience with replicas of dairy cows. Lisa aims to educate folks about the importance of agriculture in their daily life.
Indeed, the Michigan State Fair becomes a platform for families to have fun and create lasting memories. Andrea Mercer, attending the fair with her husband and two kids, shared that her children particularly enjoyed the Ferris wheel and the strawberry ride.
In short, the Michigan State Fair is a perfect blend of good old fashioned fun and a celebration of the state’s agricultural roots. It’s a great spot to make precious summer memories with your loved ones.
