County/State Fairs in the Mid-West

One of my fondest memories growing up was going to the county fair in Saginaw the weekend of Labor Day. It was a family tradition for most of my childhood and teen life. I can still smell the french fries drenched with vinegar along with the smell of pigs, horses, cows and other farm animals. It's amazing to think that I would eat and walk around and view the animals at the same time. Don't think my stomach could handle that today.

County and state fairs make wonderful stress-free, economical family vacations. Your family can enjoy great outdoor concerts, agricultural exhibits, carnival rides, fun contests and shows, tasty food and much more. Although most fairs are held in July/early August, some fairs are held in late summer. Here are a list of late summer fairs in the Mid-West.

Late Summer Fairs in Michigan

The Allegan County Fair will be held 9/7/07 - 9/15/07 in Allegan, Michigan about 40 minutes southwest of Grand Rapids. Enjoy an Allegan County Idol competition, carnival rides, an off road demolition derby, great food, 4-H exhibits and much more. Evening concerts include TobyMac, Drake Bell, and Toby Keith. Admission not including rides is $4 for adults and $2 for children. Concert and special event tickets range from $8 - $50.

St. Joseph County Grange Fair in Centreville (southwest Michigan) begins on Sunday 9/16/07 and ends Saturday 9/22/07. Events include an antique market, car show, 4-H shows/exhibits, carnival rides, magic shows, flame throwing and more. Grandstand events include performances by Lonestar and Steve Holy along with bull/bronco riding and harness racing. There is something for all members of the family to enjoy. Admission to the fair is $5, children under 14 get in free. Admission to special events range from $5 - $35.

Michigan State Fair will be held from 8/22/07 - 9/3/07 on the state fairgrounds in Detroit. Admission is $10 for adults, and $5 for children and seniors. Along with standard fair events like carnival food/rides and 4-H exhibits/shows, you can also enjoy parades, dance team and baton competitions and a hog calling contest. Fair concerts include performances by Alice Cooper, Marques Houston, Air Supply, the Spinners and the Platters.

Late Summer Fairs in Ohio

Ashland County Fair will be held 9/16/07 - 9/22/07 in Ashland (northern Ohio). Concerts include Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder, and Josh Gracin (from the American Idol). Other events include a parade of bands, women's skillet throw, 4-H shows/exhibits, carnival rides and fiddler contest.

Late Summer Fairs in Illinois

The Sandwich Fair in Sandwich (just south of DeKalb) begins on 9/5/07 and ends on 9/9/07. Fair highlights include concerts featuring Phil Vasser and Josh Gracin (from the American Idol), a salsa cook-off, llama show and harness racing. Your family will also enjoy carnival rides, clowns, arts and crafts demonstrations and livestock exhibitions.

Late Summer Fairs in Wisconsin

Vernon County's four day fair goes from 9/12/07 - 9/16/07. Held in the city of Viroqua (about a 1/2 hour south of LaCrosse), the Vernon County Fair is a small community fair featuring a 70 foot ferris wheel, cattle judging contest, harness racing, demolition derby, carnival rides and local food vendors. Admission is $5 for adults and $2 for children, grandstand event tickets are $5.