Hillsdale Professors compete at the Hillsdale County Fair in 2022. Courtesy | Jack Cote

The Hillsdale County Fair will celebrate its 175th anniversary as the self-styled “Most Popular Fair on Earth” Sept. 21-27.

The festivities for this special anniversary kick off Sept. 21 with tractor pulls, Hillsdale resident and freshman Andrew Spiegel’s “favorite event.” This is the first time the fair has ever kicked off with the tractor pulls. 

“They promise to be an electric start to an amazing week of celebrating the history of Hillsdale County,” Fair Manager Sabine Young said.

The festivities continue every day throughout the week, including a TNT Demo Derby, truck pulls, the TK Pro Rodeo, and a concert. Each event requires tickets, which can be purchased online or at the door.

This year is the second year with the Pro Rodeo. The rodeo consists of eight events, including barrel racing, steer wrestling, breakaway roping, and bull riding. The rodeo will feature professional cowboys and cowgirls from across the state of Michigan.

Later in the week, Tyler Farr will headline this year’s live music show alongside Jason Cross and Hayden Ladd in a show that can best be described as “pop country,” a modern twist on country music that has been growing increasingly more popular over the past couple of years. They will perform Sept. 26 with doors opening at 5:30 p.m.

The fair will also feature rides, fair food, and carnival games. There will also be livestock exhibits where kids and parents alike will be able to learn from professionals about raising livestock and can pet the animals. 

The fair will wrap up with a second TNT Demo Derby on Saturday night.

Adult day passes cost $7 for those ages 12 and up and $2 for seniors ages 65 and up and can be purchased at the gate. Children 11 and under are admitted for free. For the featured event each night, tickets can be purchased separately either online or in person.

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