Silverdome will be home for Great Lakes Agricultural Fair
Feb 8, 2011 By ELISHA ANDERSON Detroit Free Press Staff Writer
The Great Lakes Agricultural Fair coming to Pontiac in September will incorporate elements found at the former Michigan State Fair without using taxpayer money to help fund the event.
Organizers, wanting to fill a void left when the state fair ended in 2009, came up with the agricultural fair, which will run Sept. 2-5 inside and outside the Pontiac Silverdome.
The fair will have midway rides, arts, crafts and livestock. Reptiles also will be part of the livestock program.
"We've purposely designed this event to help merge both rural and urban cultures," Silverdome general manager Grant Reeves said at a news conference Monday.
Music will be a big part of the fair, with each day having a theme:
• Friday -- R&B/hip-hop day.
• Saturday -- Country music.
• Sunday -- Classic rock.
• Monday -- Battle of the bands competition.
The names of the artists performing at the fair were not released.
"It's a great thing for the city," said Pontiac Mayor Leon Jukowski. Local restaurants and hotels will benefit the most.
Reeves said funds for the fair will come from a partnership between the Great Lakes Agricultural Fair nonprofit corporation and the Silverdome.
"We truly do believe we have a financial model that can make this thing a success," Reeves said.
Former Gov. Jennifer Granholm said the need for state funding required her to close the Michigan State Fair.
Organizers, wanting to fill a void left when the state fair ended in 2009, came up with the agricultural fair, which will run Sept. 2-5 inside and outside the Pontiac Silverdome.
The fair will have midway rides, arts, crafts and livestock. Reptiles also will be part of the livestock program.
"We've purposely designed this event to help merge both rural and urban cultures," Silverdome general manager Grant Reeves said at a news conference Monday.
Music will be a big part of the fair, with each day having a theme:
• Friday -- R&B/hip-hop day.
• Saturday -- Country music.
• Sunday -- Classic rock.
• Monday -- Battle of the bands competition.
The names of the artists performing at the fair were not released.
"It's a great thing for the city," said Pontiac Mayor Leon Jukowski. Local restaurants and hotels will benefit the most.
Reeves said funds for the fair will come from a partnership between the Great Lakes Agricultural Fair nonprofit corporation and the Silverdome.
"We truly do believe we have a financial model that can make this thing a success," Reeves said.
Former Gov. Jennifer Granholm said the need for state funding required her to close the Michigan State Fair.
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