Youth Fair Transition

After reflecting on our Mission Statement and considering the growth and future of the Northwestern Michigan Fair, this Board has decided to sever the direct relationship with MSU and move forward as a Youth Fair for the 2027 Fair. Moving to a Youth Fair will streamline management of our event. This change creates greater opportunities for the Fair to support Youth and the Community by opening the Fair to all the surrounding Youth in the five counties we serve of Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska and Leelanau.

Let’s be clear ALL 4-H Clubs, FFA and Youth in our five-county area will be welcomed.

We will continue to work with all local organizations, and group your clubs and organizations in camping spaces and the barns to the best of our ability. The only change will be that all Youth will register for Youth Classes and no longer have a “4-H only” category available.

What is the mission of the Northwestern Michigan Fair?

“The purpose of this Association shall be the promotion of Michigan Agriculture, Horticulture, Education, Mechanical Arts, Fine Arts, Fruit and Grain Products, Stock Raising and Dairy Products, Domestic Science, and Kindred Interests throughout the Grand Traverse Region, to be accomplished in part by hosting the annual Fair celebrating area agriculture and youth programs.”

Can my 4-H’er still show at the Northwestern Michigan Fair?

Yes, this change allows for all Youth to participate. 4-H is welcome and will be grouped together both in the campground and in the barns as much as we are able.

This change actually makes it so we are able to welcome FFA clubs and other youth organizations to do the same, opening our Fair up to more youth opportunities in our five-county area.

Can my 4-H Club come as a group?

Yes, if you choose to, your organization will still be placed together as much as we are able.

Individual Youth, youth that are independent of a club or organization, may also register and participate in the Northwestern Michigan Fair.

What changes will I see?

The Northwestern Michigan Fair Board will be responsible for the Auction, Shows, and several other events done by 4-H, but for the Youth the Fair experience will be largely unchanged.

How do I register my child for Fair?

The Premium Book will be published online and the registrations will be completed online at our website https://www.northwesternmichiganfair.net. There will be an instructional video available for anyone needing assistance.

I live outside the 5-county area, but I my family has been showing for years – what does this mean for us?

We will accommodate families that have been showing at our Fair. After the 2026 Fair we will certify each family’s eligibility to show. Children whose birth years are prior to 2027 will be allowed to participate with those families. The certification process will happen in November 2026. Information about this process will be forthcoming.

Why have you decided to change to a Youth Fair?

Our purpose is to celebrate ALL youth in our five-county area. By changing to a Youth Fair we will be opening up competition to all youth and clubs in the area expanding the opportunity.

Why are you announcing this now if you are not changing until 2027?

We are making sure that all parties involved have time to plan accordingly.

What rules will be used for each barn?

Most will stay the same. The Premium Book released in May of 2027 will have those rules.

What will be required of my youth to participate in the Auction?

Proper, on time registration, bringing a qualified market project in your respective species, Thank You Notes and Workbees are what is required to participate in the 2027 Fair. For the 2027 Fair an updated Specie requirement document will be released by October 31, 2026 and for Steer and Heifer projects there will be no change in the possession date for the 2027 Fair.

Will the Northwestern Michigan Fair require 1099’s for the Youth Auction?

We will follow guidance from MAFE (Michigan Association of Fairs & Exhibitions) and IRS guidelines.

How will the Fair take on the additional events they have not handled in the past?

The Fair Board is restructuring the Committees to accommodate the additional responsibilities and work required.

What can we do to help?

There will be QR Code available for volunteer sign-ups at the June 4, 2026 meeting for anyone interested in assisting at the 2027 Fair.