Fair begins Tuesday.

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief.

PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP — The 2015 Western Michigan Fair kicks off officially Tuesday afternoon. On Monday, 4-H members were already busy showing their animals while the T.J. Schmidt and Company carnival was setting up the midway.

Tuesday is Dollar Day with the gates opening at 1 p.m. and the midway opening at 3 p.m. Fair entrance is $1 and all rides are $1. West Shore Bank Family Buck Night begins at 5 p.m. with the first 500 children through the gate each receiving a $1 bill from West Shore Bank.

The Mud Bogg Slick Track Drags presented by Unique Motor Sports, begins at 7 p.m. at the grandstand, admission is $10 and pit passes are $15. Fireworks begin at 10 p.m., sponsored by Ludington Beverage; the midway closes at 11 p.m.

The midway opens Wednesday, August 12, at noon with Kids Day Activities going on until 5 p.m., including a bike drawing at the grandstand at 5 p.m. Ride wristbands are $15 and expire at 5 p.m.

At 6 p.m. the Marek Music Makers will perform on the east end of the Community Center; 6:45 p.m. the Western Michigan Fair 2015 Homemaker will be announced on the east end of the Community Center. The SJO Supercross will begin at 7 p.m. as the evening’s grandstand event; admission is $12. The event is sponsored by TV 9&10 and Fox 32. The midway closes at 11 p.m.

All veterans and senior citizens are admitted Thursday in observation of Heros’ Celebration Day. There will be a Special Kids’ Day from noon to 2 p.m. sponsored by Metalworks and House of Flavors Restaurants. The Northern Michigan Championship Mule Pull begins at 2 p.m.

The Hay Bale Toss Contest begins at 2 p.m., sponsored by Mason County Farm Bureau. The midway opens at 3 p.m. with ride wristbands at $20 or $17 with coupon. The Mason County 4-H Small Animal Council Auction begins at 5 p.m. with a half-time tribute to area veterans. The West Michigan Livestock Council Large Animal Auction begins at 6:30 p.m.

The Western Michigan Old Engine Club Garden Tractor Pull begins at 7 p.m., sponsored by Waste Reduction Systems. The event is free to fairgoers.

Fantastic Friday begins at 1 p.m. Friday with the midway opening at 3 p.m. The Easy Living Flooring Pedal Pull for kids begins at 5 p.m.

Saturday morning will feature the second annual Stampede 5k Fun Run/Walk, sponsored by Meijer, Safe Harbor Credit Union, Hardman Construction, Turf Care/Mole Man and Strong Industrial Supply. The fifth annual Barn Brawl youth wrestling begins at 9 a.m., sponsored by Whitehall Industries.

The midway opens at noon with ride wristbands $20 each. The Night of Destruction Demolition Derby, presented by Unique Motor Sports and sponsored by Mason County Transit Mix and Ludington Concrete Products begins at 7 p.m. with admission at $12 or pit passes at $15.