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Great Lakes State Fair

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Send in the Clowns: New Michigan State Fair Opens Labor Day Weekend

At a Monday press conference in Novi, steering committee member Blair Bowman says Michigan deserves a state fair that's 'called what it is'.

With broad-based support and a new title sponsor, last year's Great Lakes State Fair is being transformed this year in to the Fifth Third Michigan State Fair. At a Monday press conference held at Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, a contigent of bagpipers, clowns and cyclists representing Detroit Shriners ushered in a new era for the fair, which launched at the conference and event center in 2012 to fill the void created by the closing of the Michigan State Fair in 2009.  Steering committee member Blair Bowman said everyone asked for help has stepped up to the plate, and organizers are proud that no state funds will be used. A long list of supporting businesses and organizations is topped by new title sponsor Fifth Third Bank.  "We are…

In this Article:

Great Lakes State Fair Attendance 'Far Exceeded Our Hopes and Wishes' and Suburban Collection Showplace (in Novi Patch)

marilyn lennis

10:20 am on Tuesday, March 26, 2013

A Michigan State Fair in Novi sounds great. Far easier to get to than the old Silverdome, as it is right off of Interstate 96. Thank you Mr. Bowman for offering this facility!!! I hope the fair planners can recruit some of the "fiber farmers". There are Michigan farmers who raise Alpacas, Llamas, Camels, Sheep & Rams, Angora rabbits & more for the fiber. The fiber is collected (sheared or combed…   more ›

Thursday, September 6, 2012

50,000 People Attend Great Lakes State Fair

The State Fair Board attributes the success to sponsors and promotional efforts.

  • LOCAL CONNECTIONS
  • Thursday, September 6, 2012

More than 50,000 people passed through the gates at the Suburban Collection Showcase for the Great Lakes State Fair during Labor Day weekend, according to Kent Roberts, vice chairman of the Great Lakes State Fair Board. The revived Michigan State Fair was reinstated after a three-year abscence and included livestock, agriculture, crafts, music, rides, games, Michigan-made food and beverages, contests, and the Shrine Circus. Roberts attributes the fair’s success to the financial support of the event’s 20 sponsors and the promotional efforts of its agency partners: Axis Cross Media and Logos Communications.   “We couldn’t have revived this wonderful Michigan tradition without our army of sponsors and we’re extremely grateful for their …

In this Article:

Suburban Collection Showplace (in Novi Patch), Share Your Great Lakes State Fair Photos, Great Lakes State Fair Attendance 'Far Exceeded Our Hopes and Wishes', and 1 more ›

C

11:36 pm on Sunday, September 9, 2012

You asked for suggestions to make the State Fair better next year, so here is my suggestion. DO NOT have a circus that includes animals. The Shrine Circus continues to hire Tarzan Zerbani to bring 'his' animals, even though he is known and has been cited many times, for terrible abuse of elephants, tigers and any others he can use.   more ›

Monday, September 3, 2012

Great Lakes State Fair Attendance 'Far Exceeded Our Hopes and Wishes'

The new Novi event brought in 20,000 people on Saturday and Sunday alone.

Great Lakes State Fair board vice president Kent Roberts was a pretty happy guy Monday afternoon.  As one of the partners who went "out on a ventured limb" to bring a "21st century version" of the Michigan state fair to the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Roberts said organizers are "extremely pleased with what's happened in the last four days." He said while Friday's heat kept attendance down, around 20,000 people showed up over the next two days, which "far exceeded our hopes and wishes for our first year." "We were a little concerned after that first day," he said. "But Saturday and Sunday couldn't have been nicer or better." The event has been a partnership among the fair board, the Shriners, who brought in a circus and a cadre …

In this Article:

Suburban Collection Showplace (in Novi Patch), Great Lakes State Fair Draws Crowds to Novi (in Novi Patch), Share Your Great Lakes State Fair Photos, and 4 more ›

C

12:32 pm on Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Any "event" that allows people like Tarzan Zerbani, to bring circus animals in, does not deserve to put on any event. He has been cited for animal abuse, for many years. The U.S, is one of the few countries that allow animal "acts" in circuses. Last year, Brazil banned all such acts because their leader saw how the animals were treated. Why are we still allowing this? $$$$$$$ WE NEED TO SPEAK UP…   more ›

Friday, August 31, 2012

Share Your Great Lakes State Fair Photos

Post your pictures and tell us what you thought of the event.

The Great Lakes State Fair had inaugural showing at Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi from Aug. 31-Sept. 3. Michigan had the very first state fair in the nation in 1849, but there hasn't been a fair here since 2009, when it was last held in Detroit. In addition to traditional state fair activities, such as competitions for best animals, vegetables and canned goods, the fair includes performances by the Shrine Circus and several local bands, a midway with carnival rides, games of chance and fair treats like elephant ears, corn dogs and cotton candy and a shopping area with products from Michigan-based vendors. Every day throughout the weekend, there are fun competitions such as hot dog and pie eating contests, watermelon seed spitting …

In this Article:

Michigan State Fair: Prices, Schedules and More Info and Suburban Collection Showplace (in Novi Patch)

Labor Day Weekend Watch: Aug. 31-Sept. 3, 2012

We've extended our calendar to include events through Monday in Farmington and Farmington Hills.

If you're staying in town this long Labor Day weekend, we have a list of local activities you can add to your calendar.  Browse through our photo gallery above for basic information, then click on the links below to learn more: 

In this Article:

Great Lakes State Fair, Donate Shoes 4 BDF Cat Rescue Fundraiser, Downtown Farmington Farmers Market, and 1 more ›

Michigan State Fair: Prices, Schedules and More Info

Here's all the information you need to know about the Great Lakes State Fair in Novi today through Labor Day.

The Great Lakes State Fair is here! The revamped Michigan State Fair runs this weekend in Novi. The fair is open 8 a.m. to midnight today through Sunday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday. Below is all of the information you need to know to plan your visit, including schedules for the midway rides, circus, contests and entertainment. Feel free to print this off to take it with you, and don't forget to come back to Patch to share your photos! The fair is being held at Suburban Collection Showplace, located at 46100 Grand River Avenue between Beck Road and Novi Road in Novi. If you're coming from outside of Novi, you can text the Beck Road or the Novi Road exit from I-96. Parking is available at the Showplace for $5. Al-inclusive tickets at the …

In this Article:

16 Contests to Be Held at Great Lakes State Fair (in Novi Patch) and Suburban Collection Showplace (in Novi Patch)

Felicia

8:49 pm on Friday, August 31, 2012

Won't be going to the GLSF. Price is too high for me and would prefer it to be located outdoors.   more ›

Thursday, August 30, 2012

5 Things You Should Know Today - Aug. 30, 2012

Tonight's Queen of Hearts raffle drawing in downtown Farmington could net a lucky ticket holder thousands of dollars.

It doesn't seem possible, but the weekly raffle sponsored by two local civic groups has gotten even bigger this week.  Here's what else you should know today:  The sun is expected to shine today, but watch out for winds gusting up to 24 miles per hour. The National Weather Service predicts a high around 86 and a low in the mid-60s.  Take a guided tour of the Nature Center and Heritage Park, learn about school programs, reserve a day for students to visit the Nature Center or set up a date for a Naturalist to make a school visit during this free event. Refreshments will be served. Call 248-477-1135 or email asimons@fhgov.com for more information. Join the Farmington Rotary and Xemplar clubs at John Cowley & Sons tonight for the raffle …

In this Article:

Educator Open House at the Nature Center, City of Farmington Hills Nature Discovery Center, Heritage Park, and 4 more ›

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

5 Things You Should Know Today - Aug. 28, 2012

Still holding on to those old, smaller recycling bins? You can donate them to Farmington Schools recycling program.

Farmington Public Schools students start their new year a week from today, and organizers of the district's recycling program could use your help.  Here's what else you should know: The mercury is headed into the 80s again, under sunny skies. The National Weather Service predicts patchy fog around 3 a.m. tonight, with a low around 59.  If you've gotten your new, wheeled recycling bin and haven't found a use for the old one, Farmington Public Schools could use it. Drop off bins through the end of September at the Facilities Building, 29350 W. 10 Mile in Farmington Hills.   The jackpot is headed up over $12,000 in this week's fundraising raffle, hosted by the Farmington Rotary and Xemplar clubs. You can buy a $1 ticket from any Rotary Club …

In this Article:

Farmington Public Schools Lewis Schulman Administrative Center, Farmington Rotary Queen of Hearts Raffle, Educator Open House at the Nature Center, and 3 more ›

Friday, August 24, 2012

16 Contests to Be Held at Great Lakes State Fair

From pie eating to watermelon seed spitting, attendees of all ages can compete at the revamped Michigan State Fair on Labor Day weekend.

  • LOCAL CONNECTIONS
  • Friday, August 24, 2012

Organizers of Great Lakes State Fair have announced that daily contests will be held at the fair for everyone from infants to adults, testing talent, creativity and sheer zaniness. The revamped Michigan state fair is at Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi from Aug. 31-Sept. 3. The contests are as follows, according to the fair website: Related Stories:

In this Article:

Suburban Collection Showplace (in Novi Patch), Details Announced for Circus, Midway Fun at Great Lakes State Fair, Stabenow Named Grand Marshal of Great Lakes State Fair, and 4 more ›

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Details Announced for Circus, Midway Fun at Great Lakes State Fair

The revamped Michigan state fair will be held in Novi.

  • LOCAL CONNECTIONS
  • Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Organizers for the Great Lakes State Fair announced specific plans Wednesday for all of the activities taking place throughout Labor Day weekend, Aug. 31-Sept. 3, at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi. Activities include circus performances, midway rides and games, and daily contests. “We literally have something for everyone that will either tickle your funny bone, take your breath away or satisfy your appetite for a tasty treat,” said Kent Roberts, vice chairman of the Great Lakes State Fair Board, in a statement. Plans for activities are as follows. Detroit’s own Shrine Circus, produced by Tarzan Zerbani, will entertain crowds under the world’s largest Big Top. Circus shows will include musical clowns and animal acts, including …

In this Article:

Suburban Collection Showplace (in Novi Patch), 16 Contests to Be Held at Great Lakes State Fair (in Novi Patch), Stabenow Named Grand Marshal of Great Lakes State Fair, and 4 more ›

C

8:30 pm on Thursday, August 23, 2012

To reply to the comment made about zoos, not all zoos are the same. Some ignore the animal traits that indicate an animal in terrible stress. We are fortunate here, to have a zoo that rescues animals from very bad circumstances. Since they cannot care for themselves any longer in the wild, they are given a home at the Detroit Zoo, where there are people that care, and are trained to know how the …   more ›

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