ESCANABA – Fair organizers throughout Michigan gained first hand knowledge on what makes the Upper Peninsula State Fair successful at the Michigan Association of Fairs and Exhibitions convention over the weekend in Grand Rapids.

Vickie Micheau, executive director of the Delta Chamber of Commerce, talked about getting sponsors for fairs and developing partnerships with Chambers of Commerce.

“We give all of the very positive examples of the economic activity that takes place during fair week,” Micheau said. “For us, we showcase our community. We showcase all of the best assets that are available to any business, any visitor in our waterfront community.”

She says other communities don’t often embrace the importance of their fairs. The U.P. State Fair is operated by all 15 counties in the U.P. It will be held Aug. 15 to 21, 2016.

As part of the development process at the fairgrounds, input is being taken on what the public would like to see at the U.P. State Fairgrounds and the various parks in Delta County. The county is in the process of developing a parks and recreation master plan.

Micheau says the master plan is important when applying for grants to improve the facility.

“Once we are included in the plan then there will be a series of public hearings as we identify the number of projects we want to apply for whether that’s burying the power lines, updating the public address system or rehabing the Ruth Butler Building,” she said.

The U.P. State Fair Authority did receive a $24-thousand grant this year to upgrade the Equestrian center. Micheau said that will be the focus this year.

Public hearings will be held Jan. 19 and Feb. 2 at the county service building. The county board meetings start at 5:15 p.m.