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.
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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 of volunteers, and the Suburban Collection, Roberts said. The goal was not to replicate the Michigan State Fair, which folded after 2009, but to bring something new to the table, while shining a spotlight on Michigan's second leading industry, agriculture and commodities.
"To see these people light up, to see these people be able to have a venue ... to showcase what it is they do, to me has been extremely exciting," he said. "I think it's the faces of the people who have made a living off of Michigan commodities and agriculture, to me, that's what warms my heart."
The fair closed Monday.
More on the Great Lakes State Fair:
- Great Lakes State Fair Draws Crowds to Novi
- Are You Attending the Great Lakes State Fair?
- Oakland County Board of Commissioners Welcomes State Fair
- State Fair Taking Extra Precautions for Health of Animals, People
- Stabenow Named Grand Marshal of Great Lakes State Fair
- Michigan State Fair Planned To Be Revived in Novi
laura cieslak
9:25 pm on Monday, September 3, 2012
hello, i enjoyed the fair very much along with my family. i applaud the courage of mr. bowman and his staff and supporters, this, as a long standing traditon is something that so many of us have missed. i surely hope you will rpeat this next year and if you can make it even biggere. the right things were there, only in a smaller version. if you could get more food vendors that woudl be very good. the rpice for admission wa smore than affordable at 6 or 8 dollars. i think you made many happy laura cieslak.
Ken Wojtowicz
4:36 am on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Now I would expect the Detroit City Counsel to file suit against the City of Novi for stealing another City Jewel.
Haulin T Male
8:48 am on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
I would agree Ken, if it was the city of Novi, but it wasn't it was a private endeavor, held in Novi. Great Lakes Fair, is not Michigan State Fair. I am surprised that the city of IONIA did not take over the State Fair, the Fair Grounds there are huge, and a nice area to travel to.
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! ALL OF US, www.circuses.com (Undercover films)