Fairgrounds improvements dedicated

By Rob Alway. Editor-in-Chief.

PERE MARQUETTE TWP. — The Mason County Fairgrounds have been part of life here since the Great Depression. Subtle improvements are made every year to the facility that hosts the Western Michigan Fair, among many other events throughout the year. But, the latest improvements are not so subtle.

The most notable of which is the paved roads throughout the grounds, allowing better access to those with disabilities and also significantly cutting down dust and mud puddles. Also helping to reduce water issues is the addition of gutters and down spouts, along with drainage under the roads.

“We used to have some real serious issues with flooding around here,” said Marcia Hansen, secretary of the Western Michigan Fair Board. “The combination of these improvements just takes the fairgrounds to a new level.”

The grounds also now feature a quarter mile nature trail, new lighting, interpretive signage, fencing and landscaping.

Mason County received funding of $320,000, for the Mason County Fairgrounds improvements through a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Development Project Grant from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, $20,000 from a Department of Agriculture grant, and over a quarter of a million dollars in donations from anonymous donors.

 “This is the kind of enthusiasm that helps attract people to Ludington and Mason County,” State Rep. Ray Franz said about the donations and volunteerism put into the improvement project. “Growth means more business and more jobs. This is an example of what makes this a great community.”

Hansen said the fairgrounds receive a lot of use. “Everyone knows this place for the fair but there are events here all the time, especially the equestrian shows.”

This year’s Western Michigan Fair is Aug. 5-9.