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PERE MARQUETTE TOWNSHIP — The 87th annual Western Michigan Fair continued Wednesday, Aug. 12, with Kids’ Day activities, livestock shows, midway rides and an evening of racing at the Mason County Fairgrounds.
Wednesday’s events included horse, beef and rabbit shows, along with Kids’ Day on the midway. The afternoon also included a children’s bicycle drawing and activities throughout the barns, exhibit buildings and midway.
The day concluded with TNT Bump & Run Racing at the grandstand.
The fair, which opened Tuesday, continues through Saturday, Aug. 15. This year’s theme celebrates the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Thursday is Senior Citizens Day, with fairgoers age 60 and older admitted free. Fair admission for others is $5 per person, with children ages 5 and younger admitted free.
Thursday’s activities began with the poultry show at 9 a.m. The dog show and exhibit buildings open at noon. Special Needs Kids Day takes place from noon to 2 p.m.
The midway opens at 3 p.m. Thursday and remains open until 11 p.m. Read for Rides, sponsored by Mason County Libraries and T.J. Schmidt Co., also begins at 3 p.m.
Thursday evening’s featured grandstand event is the Super Kicker Rodeo at 7 p.m. The rodeo features roping, riding, racing and children’s games, with country singer Dewayne Spaw providing live music before the show. Grandstand admission is $15.
Friday’s schedule begins with fun equestrian games at 10 a.m. Exhibit buildings open at noon and the midway operates from 3 to 11 p.m. A pedal pull for children begins at 5 p.m.
SJO Super Cross Racing is Friday’s grandstand attraction, beginning at 7 p.m. Grandstand admission is $10 and pit passes are $15.
The fair concludes Saturday with a full day of activities. The Barnyard Boogie 5K begins at 8 a.m., followed by Barn Brawl youth wrestling at 9 a.m.
The West Michigan Livestock Council Livestock Auction begins at 11 a.m. in the Show/Sale Barn. The midway and exhibit buildings open at noon.
Saturday evening, TNT presents the Mid-Season Championship Demolition Derby at 6 p.m. Grandstand admission is $15 and pit passes are $25. The midway closes at 11 p.m., bringing the 2026 fair to an end.
In addition to scheduled events, fairgoers can visit the livestock barns, homemaker exhibits, commercial building, vendors, concessions and midway throughout the remainder of the fair. Hot Glass Academy is offering glass-blowing demonstrations in the Youth Craft Building, and a new educational dairy exhibit featuring “Blossom,” a life-size Holstein cow, is located in Barn 17.
The Western Michigan Fair is held at the Western Michigan Fair Association grounds, 5302 W. U.S. 10.
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