The Ingham County Fair, which began Monday and will continue through Saturday, is celebrating its 154th anniversary, and organizers say it will draw in more than 100,000 residents from Lansing to Stockbridge.
The fair, located at the Ingham County Fairgrounds, 700 E. Ash St. in Mason, is offering a variety of exhibits, shows and carnival rides throughout each day and well into the night, said Tim Soule, a commissioner on the Ingham County Fair board.
“The fair provides a great local attraction where people can stay in the area instead of having to plan a vacation or travel up north,” Soule said. “It runs a large spectrum of events and also keeps a background dedicated to family involvement.”
Petting zoos, bingo games and pony rides are all available at the fair, but Soule said it is the evening events that continually draw large amounts of attention. The events, known as Grandstand events, are especially popular, and showcase things such as truck and tractor pulls, Super Cross racing and a demolition derby.
The 4-H program is another part of the fair that is responsible for bringing youths from several different counties to share and enjoy common interests, Soule said.
“The 4-H program is a large part of the fair and has a strong history of developing leadership in its members and focuses on community development,” Soule said.
The program, celebrating its 100th anniversary, has more than 1,160 members at the fair, and represents 30 different clubs in Michigan.
“Members are given a chance to showcase their individual projects that they have been working on all year,” said Ginger Kenny-Sweet, a 4-H program assistant.
Those involved are also able to bring in and show household and farm animals, and have a chance to make personal contacts with others, Kenny-Sweet said.
“That program continues to help members foster positive relationships, build leadership qualities and also provides community service opportunities,” she said.
Stan Jordan, a Mason resident who has been involved with the fair since his childhood, is now serving his 12th year on the fair board.
He said although the fair continues to be a popular summer event, it would be impossible without the help of hundreds of local volunteers each year.
The volunteers help to organize the fair, keep the fairgrounds looking nice and are responsible for running the gates, Jordan said.
“We are a self-sufficient organization, so we rely on our volunteers for everything,” he added. “The fair gives kids something to look forward to every year, and without the enormous help we receive from volunteers, (the fair) would be impossible for us to continue.”
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