“Beep!” A buzzer sounded, the gates opened, and four pigs dashed out of their pens. They trotted around a dirt track before jumping into a pool of water and paddling for dear life. With a final burst of energy, they charged back into their pens, wet, muddy, and triumphant.
Since 1851, the Hillsdale County Fair has fostered community and culture among fair-goers and has become a beloved fall tradition for students and local families alike. From floral arrangements to demolition derbies, the fair has events appealing to different age ranges and interests.
Walking along the dirt roads near the concession stands, a variety of unique smells fill the air. Wafts of cinnamon and sugar tantalize buyers with their promises of doughnuts, elephant ears, and roasted nuts. The pungent scent of salt and vinegar surrounds the french fry concession stand. Rancid odors will make observers watch their steps as they venture through the livestock barns, especially in the horse stables.
Despite their unappealing scents, the livestock barns allow fair-goers to visit the different animals on display. Amiable chatter filled the stalls as horse breeders prepared their animals for the show. Dana Cook, a Hillsdale alumna, shows Belgian and Clydesdale draft horses and has attended the Hillsdale County Fair with her family for as long as she can remember.
“You get to see people that you only see during the fair, and that’s probably one of the biggest reasons why we continue to come back,” she said.
Describing unique fair exhibits such as the nearly thousand-pound pumpkins in the agriculture department, Cook said, “There’s just certain things at the Hillsdale County Fair that you don’t see at every fair. And I really believe that sets Hillsdale County Fair apart.”
Tucked between barns, concession stands, and vendors, an assortment of carnival rides attract kids and adults alike. Madison Nakata and her brother Hunter said they enjoyed coming to the fair with their grandparents and trying out all the rides.
When asked about her favorite ride, Madison said, “The Gravitron, because it spins around really fast.”
Hunter said he prefers the Fireball, which flips riders upside down as they coast along a loop of roller coaster track. After experiencing the fair rides, Madisen encouraged visitors to buy some french fries, saying, “They’re super good, and you can add your own stuff to them.”
Apart from the rides, Hillsdale County Fair also allows members of the community to show off their talents, whether that means growing massive pumpkins, raising Silkie chickens, or arranging zinnias. Through livestock and strange agricultural feats, the fair offers students a chance to see the local community from a different perspective.
Cook said the fair plays an important role in bridging the gap between Hillsdale and the college.
“It brings out the people from all walks of life because you have college kids, so a lot of them come out to see the agricultural side of what the community can do,” Cook said. “And then you have a lot of the locals that come out because it’s what they do every year – it is their tradition.”
Over the course of the week, the fair will host several classic fair events such as demolition derbies, tractor pulls, monster truck showings, and even a western rodeo.