& MANISTEE County Fair
County’s first fair united farmers in 1871
In 1891, the Manistee Times-Sentinel carried the following letter to the editor, A.E.M. describing the first fair in Manistee County held just 20 years earlier:
“Editors Times-Sentinel: As many of your readers have no doubt attended the ‘fifteenth annual fair’ held at Onekama, perhaps it will be interesting to look back mentally to the first fair held in Manistee County.
“Twenty years ago the present beautiful village of Bear Lake was only visionary; instead of the numerous restful homes lining the banks of the lake,
only an occasional low-roofed log cabin was to be seen, and when a few leading spirits began to talk of holding a fair, it would have been a mystery to a stranger to know where the people were to come from, or what they could bring that would develop the resources of the new country.
“But a meeting for organizing was called, and George B. Pierce, of Pleasanton, was elected President, and R.F. Smith, of Bear Lake, Secretary.
“Notices were soon posted and behold! There was a great whispering among
‘the mossbacks’ of the forest. Of course everybody and his family wished to be represented, and the products of the farm grunted and groaned from excess of overfeeding; and potatoes, beets, and rutabagas (which then passed for Michigan apples) grew to mammoth proportions. The corn stalks grew taller than ever, and the beautiful golden ears were never filled better.
“All the cereals fairly outdid any former effort. There were not many well filled purses for making up beautiful nothings, but almost
every cabin had its heirlooms, significant of the better day seen in days gone by, as well as some bits of fancy work, made when there was a bit of spare time.
“The ‘mossbacks’ or farmers, had no thoroughbred stock for exhibition, but the ‘scrubs,’ that had many acres of rich forage to run over, managed to lay on the large supplies of fat and muscle, in spite of the long-
billed mosquitoes, the tenacious flies and the insignificant but exceedingly annoying gnats, and managed to look about as well as some of our aristocratic stock does now.
“Well the wonderful day arrived, and the farmers were early on the move. The roads were rough with roots and stumps and cradle knolls. In most cases oxen were used to
draw the family carriage, which was usually the good, substantial lumber wagon. Only an occasional horse team was to be found. By nine o’clock the forest roads were pretty well lined with livestock and ‘whoa, gee, and haw,’ were the passwords all along the line. After much jolting over long strips of corduroy (roads)
Taken in 1956, the photo shows one of the food stands at the Manistee County Fair.
Photo Courtesy of the Manistee County Historical Museum
4-H sees growth, new auction date at fair
ENJOY
Michelle Fedder Editor
Manistee County
4-H has a 25% increase in participants exhibiting at the Manistee County Fair this year.
The livestock showcases and still exhibits are a few staples of the annual fair, and include participants from Manistee and Benzie counties.
Youngsters have been busy all year raising beef cattle, dairy cattle, hogs, lambs, goats, six types of poultry, rabbits and guinea pigs.
“We’ve got a lot of fun things planned with 4-H for this year at fair, we hope the community will come out and continue to support our youth and all of their hard work,”
said Allison Ballard, 4-H program coordinator for Manistee and Benzie counties, in an email.
Ballard said there are 136 still exhibit entries.
“Youth who enter still exhibits have the option to put up to three of them into our silent auction — Wednesday to Saturday at noon — and receive a market check,” she said.
The Manistee 4-H Livestock Council oversees the 4-H programs exhibited at the Manistee County Fair, bringing livestock education to youth in Manistee, Benzie and Lake counties.
The livestock council operates in partnership with the Michigan State University Extension, a program that “helps people
improve their lives through an educational process that applies knowledge to critical issues, needs and opportunities,” according to the MSU Extension website.
The council is made up of five to 12 MSU Extension volunteers who serve three-year terms. Individuals holding executive positions are in office for one year.
The majority of the livestock council has a background in animal husbandry or farming, is a 4-H alum or has children in a 4-H program.
One change for this year’s fair is the annual livestock auction. Traditionally it has been held on Thursday of fair week; this year it’s scheduled for Friday.
4-H livestock at the Manistee County Fair is as follows:
Beef cattle: 27 show, 14 market (12 steers, two beef feeders)
Dairy cattle: 3 show, 3 market (two dairy steers, one dairy feeder)
Hogs: 42 show, 32 market
Lambs: five Show, one market
Goats: 24 show, five market (four meat, one dairy)
Poultry: 36 show, 21 market pens (one broiler chickens, five roaster chickens, five pens of hen turkeys, eight pens of tom turkeys, one pen of ducks, one pen of geese)
Rabbits/cavies (guinea pigs): 21 show (three show cavies), two pens of market rabbits
ShawNee Renner and Allison Burrus hold their chickens on Aug. 18, 2021 at the Manistee County Fair. News Advocate/File photo
“Our council, after much deliberation last fall, made the decision to move show times and auction dates to accommodate our growing program,” said Ballard.
The 4-H Livestock Auction will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Friday. Buyers can bid on the animals raised by 4-H youth involved in the market animal program.
Pre-registration is available for buyers at the Manistee County Michigan State University Extension office, located at 395 Third St. in Manistee.
“We hope this will encourage businesses and individuals to attend, and potentially relieve some attendance barriers, like having to work the following day,” said Ballard.
There have also
been some changes to the show dates and times. Participants will show demonstrate their knowledge in the show ring.
“The spaced out shows, we hope, will allow for a more positive fair week experience for youth, families and animals,” she said. “Fair week is inherently stressful; it is the culmination of a year’s worth of planning, hard work and dedication; emotions run high.”
Ballard said the top priority of 4-H as a positive youth development organization is the safety of participants.
“So providing the space for our kids to decompress between move-in and their first show, then their next show, if they show multiple species (is important),” said
Ballard.
The livestock shows will take place over various days throughout the week of the fair with different species shown at different times. The schedule is as follows:
• 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.,
Open class and 4-H still exhibit judging
• 10 a.m.,
Sheep judging
• 1 p.m.,
Goat judging
• 4 p.m., Cattle judging
• 8 a.m., Swine judging
• 1 p.m.,
Rabbit/cavy judging
• 8 a.m., Poultry judging
Joel Sobkoviak and Ethan Koscinski took part in the Junior 4-H Pig Show on Aug. 17, 2021 at the Manistee County Fair. News Advocate/File photo
Manistee County Fair Schedule
The Manistee County Fair officially kicks off to the public on Aug. 12 and runs through Aug. 17.
Aug. 10
• 5-7 p.m., Fair office open to pick up entry tags for all items exhibited in the exhibit building
• Tags can also be picked up Aug. 11 from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m.
Aug. 11 – Entry Day
• 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Entry day for all exhibits and large animals.
• 1-7 p.m., Entry day for small animals.
Aug. 12 –
Opening Day
• 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Open Class & 4-H Still Exhibit Judging
• 10 a.m., Sheep judging
• 1 p.m., Goat judging
• 4 p.m., Cattle judging
• 3-10 p.m., Merchant building open
• 3-10 p.m., Native Amusements carnival open
• 3:30 p.m., Foam Zone and Kids Celebration Game Show
• 5:30 p.m., Foam Zone and Kids Celebration Game Show
• 6 p.m., Gates open - grandstand entrance only
• 7:30 p.m., Foam Zone and Kids Celebration Game Show
Aug. 13 –Carnival Kids Day
• 8 a.m., Swine judging
• 1 p.m., Rabbit/cavy judging
• 3-10 p.m., Merchant building open
• 3-10 p.m., Native Amusements carnival open
• 3:30 p.m., Foam Zone and Kids Celebration Game Show
• 5:30 p.m., Gates open grandstand
• 5:30 p.m., Foam Zone and Kids Celebration Game Show
• 7 p.m., Michigan Horse Pulling Boat Association at the grandstand; tickets: $10 all ages; pit pass not available
The West Michigan Pullers grandstand event included all classes competing at the Manistee County Fair on Aug. 18, 2023. News Advocate/File photo
Manistee County Fair Schedule
Aug. 13 - Cont.
• 7 p.m., Micro Wrestling Federation event at the grandstand; tickets: $12 advance bleachers, $15 gate, $40 ringside, purchase at Manistee County Fair Facebook page
• 7:30 p.m., Foam Zone and Kids Celebration Game Show
Aug. 14
• 8 a.m., Poultry judging
• 3-10 p.m., Merchant building open
• 3-10 p.m., Native Amusements carnival open
• 3 p.m., Pits open for grandstand event
• 3:30 p.m., Foam Zone and Kids Celebration Game Show
• 5:30 p.m., Foam Zone and Kids Celebration Game Show
• 6 p.m., Grandstands open
• 7 p.m., TNT Bump n’ Run event at grandstand; tickets:¬†$25 pit pass all ages, $15 veterans, $15 ages
13 and up, $10 ages 6-12, free 5 and under
• 7:30 p.m., Foam Zone and Kids Celebration Game Show
Aug. 15
• 3-10 p.m., Merchant building open
• 3-10 p.m., Native Amusements carnival open
• 3:30 p.m., Foam Zone and Kids Celebration Game Show
Dominic Lopez, of Beulah, sprays down his brother’s pigs to keep them cool on Aug. 28, 2016 at the Manistee County Fair. News Advocate/File photo
Manistee County Fair Schedule
Aug. 15 - Cont.
• 5:30 p.m., Foam Zone and Kids Celebration Game Show
• 5:30 p.m., 4-H Livestock Auction
• 6 p.m., Gates open
• 7 p.m., West Michigan Pullers at grandstand; tickets: $25 pit pass all ages, $15 veterans, $15 ages 13 and up, $10 ages 6-12, free 5 and under
• 7:30 p.m., Foam Zone and Kids Celebration Game Show
• 8-11 a.m., music in the pavilion by Waylon Hanel band, Free
Aug. 16 –Family Day/Public Safety Day
• 10 a.m., Photo opportunity for all
open and 4-H place winners
• Noon to 10 p.m., Merchant building open
• Noon to 10 p.m., Native Amusements
Carnival open
• 12:30 p.m., Foam Zone and Kids Celebration Game Show
• 2-4 p.m., Family Day/Public Safety Day event
• 2:30 p.m., Foam Zone and Kids Celebration Game Show
• 3 p.m., Pits open for grandstand event
• 5 p.m., Grandstands open
• 5 p.m., Foam Zone and Kids Celebration Game Show
• 6 p.m., music in
the grandstand by DeWayne Spaw (prior to the TNT King of the Track event)
• 6 p.m., TNT Bump n‚Äô Run at grandstand; tickets:¬†$25 pit pass all ages, $15 veterans, $15 ages 13 and up, $10 ages 6-12, free 5 and under
• 8-11 a.m., music in the pavilion by Working on Famous, free Aug. 17 –Exit Day
• 8 a.m. to noon, Exit day for all non-market animals and exhibits
• Noon, Exhibit building closes and unclaimed exhibits will be disposed of
The Micro Wrestling Federation performs Aug. 14, 2024 at the Manistee County Fair in Onekama. The group will return to 2025 fair on Aug. 13. News Advocate/File photo
The grandstand events during the Manistee County Fair typically draw large crowds. News Advocate/File photo
New events bring fresh fun to the fair
Ken GrabowsKi Contributing WritEr
Each year, the Manistee County Fair Board of Directors works to mix in some new events.
Everyone attending the fair expects to see the traditional activities like horse pulls, carnivals, 4-H exhibits and livestock. However, they also enjoy new events to keep things fresh.
The 2025 Manistee County Fair will be taking place Aug. 12-16 at the fairgrounds, located at 7587 First St. in Onekama.
This year, the board is bringing in several events with one of the biggest being the Foam Zone, which is a high energy dance party inside a giant bubble bath. Foam Zone has kids and families dancing to
music while foam is dispensed from spray hoses.
Foam Zone and Kids Celebration
fun. It is something he has been doing for the past 16 years.
Buchanan also will put on the Kids
“From livestock shows to thrilling rides and live entertainment there will be something for everyone to enjoy at the 2025 Manistee County Fair.”
Game Show owner Bill Buchanan said the philosophy behind his event is quite simple: have
Celebration Family Game Show. The Foam Zone and game shows will be held together each
day during the Manistee County Fair:
• 3:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. each day Tuesday through Friday
• 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday
“I am the largest business in the United States doing foam,” Buchanan said. “The program is 100% family ori-
ented and is for all ages with the goal being to give the participants a memorable experience at the fair.”
The game show is different each time and each one is based off the particular audience attending at that time.
Manistee County Fair board secretary Elaine Bossingham
The Foam Zone and Kids Celebration Family Game Show are new activities on the list for the 2025 Manistee County Fair. Families enjoying the Foam Zone are shown in this photo from the St. Lucie County Fair in Florida.
Photo Courtesy of Bill Buchanan
NEW EVENTS
continued from page 9
said the new events fit in with the tradition bringing in something new each year.
“The committee is always looking for ways to make the fair more exciting and engaging for our community,” said Bossingham. “There are several new things we have added to the lineup this year.”
One of those new programs is the Family/Public Safety Day event running form 2-4 p.m. on Aug.16.
Bossinham said it will be full of activities. Members of law enforcement will give presentations about new regulations, emergency plans and new state policies. She added they hope to have a demonstration by the local the Jaws of Life that will include cutting up a vehicle.
She also pointed out the board is bringing in some musical entertainment to the fair, which will be performing at various times.
“We do have some bands coming in Friday and Saturday night for some added entertainment, there isn’t any cost as it is free to attend,” she said. “Saturday we also are going to have country singer DeWayne Spaw perform before the
grandstand event that night, so we added some nice things.”
Musical entertainment is as follows:
• 8-11 a.m. on Friday in the pavilion by Waylon Hanel band
• 8-11 a.m. on Saturday in the pavilion by Working on Famous
• 6 p.m. on Saturday in the grandstand by DeWayne Spaw (prior to the TNT King of the Track
Manistee County Fairgrounds is located at 7587 First Street, in Onekama. Arielle Breen/Manistee News Advocate
FIRST FAIR
utensils.
the fairground was reached.
“Floral hall was in the centre of the grounds and was a deserted log cabin, formerly owned by Ben Kneedham, Esq., and then stood where Mrs. Collin’s brick block now stands. The grounds surrounding it were occupied with stock and farming
“As it was the first exhibit in the county, and the first many had attended for years, one can readily imagine that the ‘show’ was a very good one for the locality, and many strangers present expressed great surprise at the beautiful exhibits of garden and farm products.
“Of course there
was not much money in the treasury to pay for premiums, so instead of cash rewards, red and blue cards were given headed with the following: ‘First Agricultural and Mechanical Fair, held at Bear Lake, October 3, 1871.’ The next year some money was raised for premiums, and for five years the Agricultural and Mechanical
Fair lived and flourished annually at Bear Lake.”
For many years the fairs of the Manistee County Agricultural Society continued to be held on grounds west of the village of Bear Lake. The location was popular with farmers because it was in the approximate center of the agricultural region of the county. However, the merchants and residents of Manistee felt a location nearer the city would be better and would allow greater
involvement by more county residents.
In the winter of 1886 and 1887, petitions were circulated among residents of Manistee and Onekama calling for pledges of $10 life memberships if the fair were moved to Onekama where it could easily be reached by boat from Manistee. This drive was successful and the society agreed to establish new grounds near Portage Lake.
By a tremendous effort the grounds
were readied in August and September of 1887, and on the 20th, 21st, and 22nd of the latter month, the first fair was held at the present fairground. Initially, it was planned to alternate between the two fairgrounds the society owned, but the new site proved so popular, the annual fair remained in Onekama.
This story by Steve Harold, former executive director of the Manistee County Historical Museum, was originally published in the News Advocate in 2013.
The ferris wheel and carousel at The Manistee County Fair in 1963. Photo Courtesy of Manistee County Historical Museum
The Lafayette Mallison family as they attended the 1887 fair at Onekama. Photo Courtesy of the Manistee County Historical Museum
