80th Western Michigan Fair begins Tuesday.

80th Western Michigan Fair begins Tuesday.

#WesternMichiganFair

PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP — The 80th Western Michigan Fair kicks off officially on Tuesday, Aug. 7 but pre-fair events have already begun today with harness racing and a dog show. More pre-fair events will take place Monday (see schedule below).

The midway opens on Tuesday at 3 p.m. All rides are $1 each and wristbands for unlimited rides are available for $22 from 3 to 11 p.m. The first 500 children through the gate will receive a $1 bill from West Shore Bank.

The evening’s grandstand event is the Michigan Tractor and Truck Pullers, which begins at 7 p.m. with $10 admission. A fireworks show will follow, free to fairgoers.

Wednesday is Kids Day from noon to 5 p.m. with $3 per person fair entrance (kids ages 5 and under are free). During that time, a $15 wristband purchased before 5 p.m. will be good for unlimited rides all day. Wristbands purchased after 5 p.m. will be $22. Two bicycles will be given away at 5 p.m. at the Hayloft Entertainment Tent and the Western Michigan Fair Homemaker of the Year will be announced at 5:30 p.m. Marek’s Music Makers will entertain in the Hayloft Entertainment Tent at 6 p.m. The evening’s grandstand event is ATR Monster & Mega Trucks at 7 p.m. with $12 admission cost.

Thursday is Heroes’ Celebration Day. Entrance is $3 per person ages 6 and over. All veterans and senior citizens are admitted free. Shuttle service will be available from the parking lot.

From noon to 2 p.m. is Special Kids’ Day. Children eligible for the event will be by invitation only arranged through the West Shore Educational Service District.

The midway opens at 3 p.m with ride wristbands at $22 or $20 with a coupon.

Also, children who have participated in the Mason County District Library’s Read for Rides program will get to take advantage of the free rides they earned from 3 to 11 p.m.

The annual livestock auction begins at 5 p.m. and a free country music concert from DeWayne Spaw will take place in the Hayloft Entertainment Tent at 6 p.m.

The evening’s free grandstand event is a garden tractor pull with the Western Michigan Old Engine Club at 7 p.m. The fair’s Sizzling Summer Sing-Off Finale will take place at 7:30 p.m. in the Hayloft Entertainment Tent at 7:30 p.m.

Fantastic Friday begins with the midway opening at 3 p.m. The popular Cooper & Sons Pedal Pull for kids takes place at 5 p.m. in the show/sale barn. DeWayne Spaw will entertain again in the Hayloft Entertainment Tent at 6 p.m. The evening’s grandstand event will be the SJO Supercross beginning at 7 p.m. Admission is $10; pit passes are $13.

Saturday is the Fair Finale. The day begins with the 5th annual Stampede 5K Fun Run/Walk at 8:30 a.m. The Barn Brawl wrestling tournament begins at 9 a.m. in the show/sale barn. The midway opens at noon with $22 ride wristbands. The Mason County Farm Bureau Hay Bale Toss begins at 3 p.m. at the beef and dairy show ring. DeWayne Spaw will perform in the grandstands at 5:30 p.m. followed by the Night of Destruction Demolition Derby at 6:30 p.m. Admission to the grandstands is $12; $15 for pit passes.

For more details on the fair schedule click here.