The fair began in a tent behind the old high school until 1955 when it was moved to the current location, where it continues to be the single largest event in Newaygo County that provide a conduit for the youth to showcase all of their projects and the community to learn more about agriculture and how the food chain works. The Newaygo county fair is one of the most interactive educational events in the area. Over the years thousands of volunteers have given both time and talent to make the fair a success. We are now seeing multi-generational families returning to experience the amazing things that go on here at the fair. Many families, FFA and 4-H have helped to keep the fair going.
Our fair is home to the oldest continuous 4-H club in the nation. When watching the children as they show their livestock and inanimate projects you can see the gleam of pride they have. The skills learned by youth while competing at the fair create lifelong skills and leadership. Coming to the fair on a warm August day is more than a family outing it is a tradition, that allows everyone to ask questions touch and feel, as well as understanding where their food comes from.
The fair has been growing not only with youth but with projects and animals to the point that we are bursting at the seams, what a great problem to have. Along with the growth of the fair the use of the fairgrounds has become more wide spread.
The grounds have been used for county wide fire department trainings, where emergencies responders learn how to get people trapped in farm equipment out put on by Michigan Rural Rescue. The youth farm safety day, happens each spring when children learn how to be safe around tractors and animals. A demonstrations to all of the high school students across the county about distracted driving was planned, and new programs such Newaygo County Outdoors expo that will showcase all of the recreational things such as camping, fishing, hunting, etc… that we have to do in and around Newaygo County.
The fair has a plan to help keep us on track with growth and financial stability. We have it broken into phases in which we have prioritized the needs based on safety, cost and impact to the attendees. We have come to a crossroad where without the help of people from the community, the fair will have to look at grave options, which would impact the overall fair. This project is of vital importance to the growth and future of the Newaygo County Agricultural Fair. The original grandstands are failing fast and we need to address this soon. As the oundations are crumbling and the boards have rotted out. We continue to update but is only a band aid on a larger problem in need of a solution.
We have found that the grandstands and arena updates alone will cost us approximately $450,000. This includes the grandstands with 2750 seats, a press box, and the complete erection of the Stands. The bleacher company has stipulated that we will be able to use local construction companies to do the concrete and construction of the project. We believe in using local whenever possible to help support those who support us. We will need additional supporting structures upgrade, to allow a new modern pulling track and a pit area to support the semis and trailers that competitors use to haul in their rigs and equipment to put on the grandstand events.
Please consider supporting the best educational teaching program in agriculture, the county fair. Contact the fair office at 231-924-4450 or the web site at: newaygocountyfair.org.
