The Oldest Fairs in Michigan

The Oakland County Fair in Davisburg is a ten-day mid-July celebration in the heart of metro Detroit's northern suburbs, one of Michigan's largest county fairs drawing hundreds of thousands from southeastern Michigan's most affluent county. Dating to 1830, it is one of Michigan's oldest and most enduring agricultural fair traditions.

The Michigan State Fair in Novi is a six-day Labor Day celebration in suburban Detroit, drawing visitors from across Michigan for the state's premier agricultural and entertainment fair after its long hiatus and revival. Dating to 1849, it is one of Michigan's oldest and most enduring agricultural fair traditions.

The Genesee County Fair in Mount Morris is a seven-day late-August celebration serving the Flint metro area, one of Michigan's largest county fairs drawing tens of thousands from the Flint River corridor. Dating to 1850, it is one of Michigan's oldest and most enduring agricultural fair traditions.

The Allegan County Fair in Allegan is a nine-day September celebration on the Kalamazoo River, one of Michigan's largest county fairs drawing tens of thousands of visitors from southwest Michigan. Dating to 1852, it is one of Michigan's oldest and most enduring agricultural fair traditions.

The Armada Fair in Armada is a seven-day August celebration in the heart of Macomb County's farming community, one of metro Detroit's most beloved county fair traditions drawing crowds from throughout southeastern Michigan. Dating to 1872, it is one of Michigan's oldest and most enduring agricultural fair traditions.

The Northwestern Michigan Fair in Traverse City is a seven-day August celebration in the Cherry Capital of the World, drawing visitors from across northern Michigan for one of the region's premier fair events. First held in 1908, it has been a Michigan agricultural tradition for over a century.

The Ionia Free Fair in Ionia is a ten-day mid-July celebration on the Grand River, one of Michigan's premier county fairs drawing over 200,000 visitors for free admission, major entertainment, and state-championship livestock shows. First held in 1915, it has been a Michigan agricultural tradition for over a century.

The Upper Peninsula State Fair in Escanaba is a seven-day August celebration on Little Bay de Noc, the premier fair event for Michigan's Upper Peninsula drawing visitors from across the UP and northern Wisconsin. Established in 1928, the fair has brought Michigan communities together for generations.

The Wayne County Fair in Belleville is a six-day August celebration in suburban Detroit, serving the agricultural communities that persist in Michigan's most populous county alongside the metro area. Established in 1947, the fair has brought Michigan communities together for generations.

The Ottawa County Fair in Holland is a six-day late-July celebration in the Tulip City, serving the Dutch-heritage farming and manufacturing communities of one of Michigan's most prosperous and rapidly growing counties. Founded in 1959, it has grown into a beloved annual event for the region.