The “World’s Most Popular Fair,” and Michigan’s 11th oldest, opens for its 164th time for a week of tractor pulls, homemade donuts, and country music performances from chart topper Randy Houser and The Voice’s Danielle Bradbury at 1 p.m. Sunday.
“Hillsdale County looks like it shuts down for the fair,” said Hillsdale County Fair Manager Scott Dow.
Although the entire county may not close, Hillsdale schools will take both Monday and Tuesday off next week so students can attend fair events and participate in its parade Monday.
“Hillsdale’s fair is popular because it’s a tradition…People know they get to see a lot of tradition, but stuff is also changing every year,” Dow said. “It’s the luxury of it being in the fall atmosphere when there’s nothing better than coming wearing a light jacket when the flowers and vegetables are peaking for the exhibits.”
Its many attractions bring both former Hillsdale residents and college students back to town each year. Dow attributes this to the fair’s timing and atmosphere.
“People come from all over, partially because it’s one of the last in the fair circuit, so it’s their last shot at a fair for the year. Also, it’s the small town atmosphere where you can get a corn dog and elephant ear and watch the horse pull; that’s a great feeling,” Dow said. “Everything going on has a country flavor.”
This “country flavor” includes 4-H and FFA exhibits, a livestock birthing tent, demolition derby, tractor pulls, pie -baking contests, and extends to the headlining music performance, featuring Randy Houser and Danielle Bradbury at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 27 at the Grandstands.
“Randy is really hitting his stride right now with, ‘Like a Cowboy,’ and shooting up in the charts,” Dow said.
After attempting to book performers in several genres the past couple decades, Dow said the fair committee found country singers to be the most popular.
“Last year, we hit a home run with Florida Georgia Line, and we felt really fortunate to land the group,” Dow said. “Every fair was envious that we were able to do that. It takes a little bit of luck and a lot of planning to schedule these performers, but we try to find entertainment that appeals to everyone. Country music is usually the most popular and the biggest draw.”
Other events at the Grandstands will include the “Lost Nations Rodeo Company,” Sunday, Sept. 21, the second year of an “Antique Tractor Pull” Monday, Sept. 22, the “International Demolition Derby” Tuesday, Sept. 23, and for its first year at the fair an Amateur Cage Fighting event Wednesday, Sept. 24.
In addition to the Grandstand events, Dow emphasizes the overwhelming number of activities available for fair attendees.
“A lot is going on at any given time. The gates open and there’s a judging of pies, a youth rabbit show, and at the same time, we bring the first event to the Grandstand,” he said. “It’s not one thing that makes the Hillsdale County Fair. I look at it as a real, functioning village that opens starting on the 15th and a lot of hard work and volunteers ensure all of it pays off.”
