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Michigan Fairs Change to Attract Visitors

The Freep reports that while other fairs in the state and around the country struggle against competition for entertainment dollars, the Michigan State Fair has slowly turned itself around, adding attractions like hip-hop shows, a giant barn where visitors can watch farm animals being born and a big-top circus. Other Michigan fairs have added interactive exhibits, more technology and music. The Upper Peninsula State Fair has a best web site contest, the Kalamazoo County Fair offers a laser light show and the Michigan State Fair has a rock climbing wall.

E.J. Brown, head of the Michigan Association of Fairs and Exhibitions says that half of the state's 88 fairs lost money last year and between 2002 and 2005, slightly less than half lost attendance while the rest gained visitors or remained steady.

Read Farm fairs think outside the barn in the Detroit Free Press
Michigan Association of Fairs and Exhibition web site
Michigan Summer Fairs listing from Absolute Michigan

Posted/updated Jul 24, 2006
by Andrew McFarlane (Absolute Michigan)