The Upper Peninsula State Fair gets underway today in Escanaba. You will notice that the fair has a new logo celebrating this year’s theme “Red, White and Blue This Fair’s For You.”

It also says “Michigan’s State Fair in the Upper Peninsula.” Chamber Director Vicki Micheau says that is meant to emphasis the State Fair.

“We talk about having a U.P. State Fair and it’s always been U.P. State Fair but the U.P. isn’t a state. At least not yet,” joked Micheau.

The U.P. took over the State Fair from the state in 2009. Since then, Micheau says they have worked to include more U.P. and even downstate participation at the fair.

“It’s been interesting. Since we have been involved, obviously, at the Chamber of Commerce we focused on Delta County for so many years so it has really run our perspective as far as what this fair does for the entire U.P. community. We are so thankful for the level of support and the involvement we get from across the U.P.,” Micheau said.

The fair opens tonight at 5 p.m. and closes with fireworks at dusk on Sunday.