As 2015 closes out, some are already to looking ahead to the summer of 2016 and the Houghton County Fair.
At this month’s regular meeting of the Fair Board, board elections were held and new entertainment was selected for next year’s fair.
2015’s attendance was estimated at 24,842 with 184 youth and 131 open class exhibitors receiving more that $10,700 in premiums.
The Junior Market Livestock Auction raised more the $37,000.
Donations from sponsorships of events, trophies and grants amounted to over $13,000.
Major projects planned for next year include painting the exterior of the exhibit building and beginning the process of switching florescent lights in the buildings to LED lights and adding more outside lighting.
Tbe Michigan Association of Fairs and Exhibition Convention will be held in Grand Rapids in January and 10 individuals from the fair will be attending.
Next year’s fair will include the Midwest Monster Trucks and the Whispering Pines Mobile Zoo.
New entertainment will include Alfy’s Robotic Puppets and the Live Shark Encounter.
Another first will be the Skerbeck Entertainment Group providing the carnival and midway for 2016, with a variety of new rides not seen at the Houghton County Fair in the past.
The Fair will be held August 25th to the 28th.