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MINDING OUR OWN BUSINESS February 22, 2003 by Jeanne Rose Delta County Chamber of Commerce NO—The U.P. State Fair has NOT been Cancelled! The phone calls start coming in almost as soon as the last UP State Fair had closed the gates and the last cow has been coaxed into the truck. In fact, we at the Chamber keep track of the first fair call—this past year it was September 10th. “Do you have the dates for next year’s fair?” “When will you know about the entertainment?” “Will there be any new rides next year?” Economically speaking that’s great news. People want to come to Delta County. When they are here they spend money and not just on cotton candy, rides and Dean’s Wacky Wedgies either. Coming to the “city” is still a major event for those in the rural UP. Those bringing livestock to exhibit stay the week—some in the campground, some in motels. And even the campers have to buy groceries and gas. They shop at the Delta Plaza, at Wal-Mart and K-Mart. They enjoy downtown areas of Delta County and the stores, restaurants and services we have to offer. Eager spectators plan months ahead to buy tickets for the grandstand shows and they come from miles away, often staying overnight to avoid the long drive home after the show. So why are we writing about the fair now? The snow is a foot or more deep, the thermometer has hovered around zero for too long, and despite this week‘s respite, it’s not over yet. But last month the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, a conservative think-tank organization located in Midland, Michigan, saw an opportunity to advise the Governor and the Michigan Legislature on a tax saving idea that fits well with their traditional positions regarding public operation—privatization. “Sell both the Detroit and UP State Fairgrounds. Get out of the fair business,” they recommended. The story got picked up by the wire service, and the next thing we knew, our phones started ringing again, and it was not to ask when the grandstand entertainment would be announced and when tickets would go on sale. “Is it true that that the UP State Fair has been cancelled for this year?” they want to know. “I heard that there won’t be a fair in Escanaba this summer,. The answer is NO—the fair has NOT been cancelled. The Mackinac Center’s statement was just that--a suggestion for addressing the current budget crunch. In these times of state belt-tightening, everyone seems to have an idea as to what the new Governor and Legislature should do to address the shortfall. It’s unfortunate that this well-intentioned (although not popular here in Delta County) recommendation resulted in headline-reading and conclusion-jumping by the public. So, mark your calendars now for August 12-17- 2003, and start planning for that Croatian chicken dinner and Norm’s fries, the midway and its compelling “Step right up, the soft sounds and pungent smells of the animal barns, the excitement of the little ones waiting in line to ride the cars, boats and motorcycles and the grandstand shows which will be announced in May. What would we do without the UP State Fair? We hope we never have to find out! |
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