Community Corner

Need to Know: What to Expect at the Great Lakes State Fair

The revamped Michigan state fair will be held in Novi this weekend. Here's what you need to know about ticket prices, contests and hours for the various attractions.

If you plan on visiting the Great Lakes State Fair this Labor Day weekend, then there will be plenty waiting for you on the Midway, under the big top and everywhere in between.

The fair — a revamped edition of the Michigan State Fair — takes place Aug. 31-Sept. 3 at in Novi.

Activities include circus performances, midway rides and games, and daily contests.

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“We literally have something for everyone that will either tickle your funny bone, take your breath away or satisfy your appetite for a tasty treat,” said Kent Roberts, vice chairman of the Great Lakes State Fair Board.

Tickets

There are two kinds of tickets available for the Great Lakes State Fair — an Unlimited Ticket and Fair-Only Ticket.

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Unlimited Tickets get fair-goers into all exhibits and entertainment, including the circus and Midway rides. The Fair-Only Ticket, meanwhile, is for livestock and indoor exhibits, entertainment and the beer garden.

Unlimited Tickets

  • In advance: $25 for adults; $20 for children 3-12
  • At the gate: $30 for adults; $25 for children 3-12

Fair-Only Tickets

  • In advance: $6 for adults; $5 for children 3-12
  • At the gate: $8 for adults; $6 for children 3-12

Attractions

What can you expect to see at the fair this weekend? Get ready for:

The circus
Shows daily beginning at noon, 2:30 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. There will be no 7:30 p.m. performance on Sept. 3.

Detroit’s own Shrine Circus, produced by Tarzan Zerbani, will entertain crowds under the world’s largest Big Top. Circus shows will include musical clowns and animal acts, including ponies, canines, tigers and elephants. Aerial daredevils will perform death defying feats on motorcycles, roller skates and in giant wheels and massive swings.

Admission to the fair is included in the Unlimited Ticket price.

The Midway
Friday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Monday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

On the Midway, Michigan-based Arnold Amusements will be offering more than 20 rides, including a merry-go-round, Ferris whell, Shock Drop and Pharaoh's Fury.

The Midway will also have 15 games, including duck pond, milk bottle, rock wall, speedball and more. More than 30 varieties of treats will also be available on the Midway, including elephant ears, deep-fried Twinkies and Oreos, corn dogs, cotton candy, hot dogs, hamburgers and french fries.

Unlimited rides on all Midway rides are included in the Unlimited Ticket price.

The Michigan Pavillion
Friday-Sunday 11 a.m.-midnight; Monday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

In the Michigan Pavillion, check out dozens of Michigan-based companies with products that are grown, manufactured or produced in Michigan. The pavillion will be located inside the Exhibit Hall and is included in both the Unlimited Ticket price and the Fair-Only Ticket price.

Michigan Brewery Beer Garden
Friday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-midnight; Monday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

The Great Lakes State Fair celebrates Michigan's heritage as the state with the fifth-highest number of breweries at the Michigan Brewery Beer Garden. Try beers from across the state while learning about Michigan's craft beer industury.

The beer garden will be located outside the Showplace, adjacent o the Entertainment Tent. The entrance fee is included in both the Unlimited Ticket price and the Fair-Only Ticket price.

Agriculture and livestock
Agriculture displays: Friday-Sunday 10 a.m.- 9 p.m.; Monday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Livestock: Friday-Sunday 8 a.m.-9 p.m.; Monday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

This is guaranteed to make your little one's day: take them to the Exhibit Hall to see livestock and other agriculture displays from across the state. Visit dairy cows, beef cattle, sheep, goats, rabbits, poultry and pigs.

The agriculture and livestock exhibits are included in both the Unlimited Ticket price and the Fair-Only Ticket price.

Contests

The Great Lakes State Fair will be hosting a number of contests throughout the weekend for various age groups. All contests will take place on or near the Demonstration Stage. Make sure to show off your skills at:

Daily:

  • Pie eating: 1:30 p.m. daily; 12 years and up

Friday:

  • Carrot drop: 11:30 a.m.; 5-9 years old
  • Hot dog eating: 12:30 p.m.; all ages
  • Watermelon seed spitting: 2:30 p.m.; all ages
  • Ice cream eating: 3:30 p.m.; all ages
  • Hula hoop: 4:30 p.m.; all ages
  • Milk mustache: 5:30 p.m.; all ages

Saturday

  • Diaper derby: 11:30 a.m.; 2 years and younger
  • Longest pony tail/beard/mustache: 12:30 p.m.; all ages
  • Twin, triplets, oh my!: 2:30 p.m.; all ages
  • Mother/daughter and father/son look-alike: 2:30 p.m.; all ages
  • Husband and wife calling: 3:30 p.m.; 18 years and older
  • Hula hoop: 4:30 p.m.; all ages
  • Pasta eating: 5:30 p.m.; all ages

Sunday

  • Potato sack race: 11:30 a.m.; all ages
  • Corn-on-the-cob eating: 12:30 p.m.; all ages
  • Husband and wife calling: 2:30 p.m.; 18 years and older
  • Frozen t-shirt: 3:30 p.m.; 12 years and older
  • Hula hoop: 4:30 p.m.; all ages
  • Milk mustache: 5:30 p.m.; all ages

Monday

  • Potato sack race: 11:30 a.m.; all ages
  • Ice cream eating: 2:30 p.m.; all ages
  • Watermelon seed spitting: 3:30 p.m.; all ages

For more details on all contests, visit the Great Lakes State Fair website.


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