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By Rob Alway, Editor-in-Chief
PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP — The 87th annual Western Michigan Fair continues today, Wednesday, Aug. 12, at the Mason County Fairgrounds with Kids’ Day, livestock shows, carnival rides and TNT Bump & Run Racing.
The fair opened Tuesday and continues through Saturday, Aug. 15. This year’s fair has a patriotic theme celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Wednesday’s activities began with the horse show at 8 a.m., followed by the beef show at 10 a.m. Exhibit buildings and the carnival midway open at noon. The rabbit show begins at 1:30 p.m.
Wednesday is Kids’ Day, with carnival wristbands available from noon to 5 p.m. A children’s bicycle drawing will take place at 5 p.m., followed by the announcement of the 2026 Western Michigan Fair Homemaker of the Year at 5:30 p.m. in front of the Domestic Arts Building.
TNT Bump & Run Racing begins at 7 p.m. Grandstand admission is $10, with pit passes available for $20. The midway remains open until 11 p.m.
Thursday is Senior Citizens Day, with fairgoers age 60 and older admitted free. The day includes livestock activities, the dog show at noon and Special Kids Day from noon to 2 p.m. The midway opens at 3 p.m. and will feature the Read for Rides program sponsored by Mason County Libraries and T.J. Schmidt Co.
Thursday evening’s grandstand attraction is the Super Kicker Rodeo at 7 p.m., with pre-show entertainment by country singer Dewayne Spaw. Grandstand admission is $15.
Friday’s schedule includes fun equestrian games at 10 a.m., exhibit buildings opening at noon, the midway opening at 3 p.m. and a pedal pull for children at 5 p.m. SJO Super Cross Racing begins at 7 p.m. Grandstand admission is $10, with pit passes available for $15.
The fair concludes Saturday with the Barnyard Boogie 5K, Barn Brawl youth wrestling, the West Michigan Livestock Council livestock auction and TNT’s Mid-Season Championship Demolition Derby at 6 p.m. Grandstand admission for the demolition derby is $15, with pit passes available for $25.
Fairgoers can also visit livestock exhibits, homemaker displays, commercial vendors and food concessions throughout the week. A new interactive dairy exhibit in the dairy barn teaches visitors about dairy farming and where milk and other dairy products come from. The exhibit was developed after organizers learned that no dairy cattle would be shown at this year’s fair.
Daily fair admission is $5 per person, with children ages 5 and younger admitted free. Carnival rides require separate tickets or wristbands.
The Western Michigan Fair is held at the Mason County Fairgrounds, 5302 W. U.S. 10.
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