Western Michigan Fair begins Tuesday; harness racing Monday.

Western Michigan Fair begins Tuesday; harness racing Monday.

By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief.

PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP — The 83rd annual Western Michigan Fair officially begins Tuesday, Aug. 9 and continues through Saturday, Aug. 13. Pre-fair harness racing will take place on Monday, Aug. 8 along with animal and exhibit competitions. Harness racing will continue Tuesday, Aug. 9.

The fair schedule is as follows: 

Sunday, Aug. 7, fair kickoff event, 6 p.m. 

Monday, Aug. 8: 

• 9 a.m., horse show
• 3 p.m., sheep show
• 5 p.m., goat show
• 6 p.m., still exhibit judging (not open to the public)
• 6 p.m., harness racing post time

Tuesday, Aug. 9: fair entrance, $2 per person. Ride wristbands, $30 (good from open to close (bearer of wristband must be present at time of purchase) 

• 9 a.m., swine show
• noon, harness racing
• 1 p.m., exhibit buildings open
• 3 p.m., midway opens
• 5 p.m., West Shore Bank Buck Night (first 500 children through the gate receive $1 bill)
• 7 p.m., Truck and Tractor Pull, grandstand, $10 per person
• 10 p.m., musical fireworks, grandstand, free admission
• 11 p.m., midway closes

Wednesday, Aug. 10, Kids’ Day, fair entrance is $4 per person; children ages 5 and younger are free. Kids’ Day ride wristbands, $25 (good from open to close, bearer of wristband must be present at time of purchase)

• 10 a.m., beef show
• Noon, exhibit building open
• 3 p.m., rabbit show
• 5 p.m., backpack and bike giveaway
• 5:30 p.m., Western Michigan Fair Homemaker of the Year announced.
• 7 p.m., mini wedge racing (grandstand admission, $5)
• 11 p.m., midway closes

Thursday, Aug. 11, Hometown Heroes’ Day, fair entrance is $4 per person; children ages 5 and younger are free. All veterans and senior citizens (ages 60 and over) admitted free.

• 9 a.m., poultry show
• 10 a.m., dairy show
• Noon to 2 p.m., Special Kids Day (by invitation only through West Shore Educational Service District). 
• 1 p.m., exhibit buildings open
• 3 to 11 p.m., Read for Rides (kids who qualified through Mason County District Library).
• 7 p.m., TNT Vehicle Barrel Racing, grandstand, $10 per person, $20 per person in pit. 
• 11 p.m., midway closes

Friday, Aug. 12, Fantastic Friday, fair entrance is $4 per person; children ages 5 and younger are free.

• 10 a.m., fun equestrian games
• Noon, exhibit buildings open
• 3 p.m., midway opens
• Cooper & Sons Pedal Pull, free for kids
• 7 p.m., SJO Super Cross, grandstand, $10 per person, $13 per person in pit
• 11 p.m., midway closes

Saturday, Aug. 13, Fair Finale, fair entrance is $4 per person; children ages 5 and younger are free.

• 8:30 a.m., WMFA Barnyard Boogie 5K Fun Run/Walk
• 9 a.m., Barn Brawl Wrestling Tournament
• 10 a.m., Western Michigan Old Engine Club Garden Tractor Pull
• 11 a.m., West Michigan Livestock Council Animal Auction
• Noon, exhibit buildings open, midway opens
• 3 p.m, Mason County Farm Bureau Hay Bale Toss Contest
• 6:30 p.m., Unique Motor Sports Demolition Derby, grandstand, $15 per person, $20 per person in pit. 
• 11 p.m., midway closes

Continuous free events: 

• Chase’s Racing Pigs, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
• Neil Sauter, the incredible stiltman
• Balloon displays, balloon twisting lessons

The Western Michigan Fair takes place at the Mason County Fairgrounds, located on US 10 between Pere Marquette Highway and Meyers Road. 

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