Allegan
Michigan
Allegan County Fair
History of the Allegan County Fair
The Early Years
1852: The Allegan County Agricultural Society was organized by Elisha Ely. The first fair was held at the County Court House, which was also the Baptist Church.
1854: The fair moved from the Court House to ‘the flats’
1856: The Board of Supervisors purchased eight acres in the current fairgrounds area.
1859: The first Exhibition Hall was built.
1860: The race track and grandstand were built.
1874: The Allegan County Agricultural Society purchased approximately 20 acres adjacent to the original purchase of land, now totaling approximately 30 acres.
1889: The first and only fair in Michigan to hold an evening fair. This was quite an attraction, seeing as the grounds and buildings were lit with 2000 candlepower arc lamps. The currency was furnished through the village from the Trowbridge Dam. Headline attractions included The Great Houdini and the Wonderful Douglas, who buried a man alive.
Construction and Expansion
1990: One of the largest projects to date was the construction of the covered grandstand. With the track and grandstand area, the fair has a 12,000 seat capacity in front of the stage.
1999: A 1600 square foot addition was made to the stage, and a 3000 square foot backstage building was erected to accommodate performers and their entourage. It is a state of the art facility that features dressing rooms, showers, and offices for the entertainer’s use.
2000-2011: Over the years the Allegan County Fair has continued to grow. The fairgrounds property currently consists of approximately 115 acres of land, including a public campground. Among the buildings is one of the largest livestock barns and arenas of any county fair in the state- an indoor exhibit hall complex that is enclosed with over 38,000 square feet under one roof.
2011 and beyond
In the southwest area of the grounds you can experience a step back in time in the John Paul Historical Village. There, you will find a variety of building types and time periods. These buildings were moved here and re-assembled to become permanent structures at the Allegan County Fair.
Agriculture has been the backbone of the Allegan County Fair since the beginning. The 4H clubs, 4H members, and open class participants agricultural activities remain strong to this day. Animals, crafts, foods and antiques are judged daily at the fair.
Looking over the fair’s history, it is obvious that the founders of the fair strived for growth- which still holds true today. It is why the Allegan County Fair is one of the largest fairs in the State of Michigan, and why USA Today named the Allegan County Fair the most popular county fair in Michigan.
Recent News
Enter the Allegan County Fair 'Show Us Your Talent' Competition!
Allegan Show Us Your Talent Competition Allegan County Fair is now accepting applications to this year's "Show Us Your Talent" Competition. This competition is open to all ages. All rounds will be in the Community Area Building. Schedule: …
Read More »Allegan County Fair 2024
Schedule of Events: Friday, September 6, 2024 Opening Day! Gates Open 1:00pm Carnival Rides Open at 3:00pm 8:00am: Open Class, Agriculture, Horticulture and Booths - Agricultural Hall 8:30am: Open Class Goats Youth following Open…
Read More »Getting Excited for the 2024 Allegan County Fair
We Are Getting Excited for the 2024 Allegan County Fair! Are you raising and training your livestock? Have you started your still exhibits(crafts & fine arts)? Knitting or Quilting that blanket you have always wanted to do? How about a…
Read More »Apply to the Allegan County Agricultural Society Scholarship Fund
Apply to the Allegan County Fair Agricultural Society Scholarship Fund! The Allegan County Agricultural Society provides scholarship funds to help students planning to pursue a post secondary education. This scholarship requires that applicants…
Read More »Allegan County Fair News - Winter Storage Is Back For 2023-2024
Winter Storage at the Fairgrounds We have great rates on winter storage and are happy to help accommodate your storage needs! Your campers, RV's, motorhomes, pontoons, boats, trailers, cars & trucks will all be under safe, covered storage…
Read More »The Final Allegan Antique Market Of 2023 Is This Sunday, September 24
The final Allegan Antique Market of 2023 is this Sunday, September 24th from 8am to 4pm! We hope to see you there! For more information, please visit the Allegan Antiques website. Visit The Allegan Antiques…
Read More »Allegan County Fair News September 8 - September 16,2023
Nelly will Perform this Thursday with Comedian Steve Treviño! GREAT NEWS!!! We were able to work with Nelly's management and rescheduled last Saturday’s cancelled concert to Thursday, September 14, 2023. Doors will open at 5:30 PM,…
Read More »Allegan County Fair News September 2023
Tomorrow at the Grandstand: Nelly with special guest Trea Landon Nelly with special guest Trea Landon Saturday, Sept. 9 at 7:00 PM Buy Ticket This Week at the Grandstand: Jake Owen and Jameson Rodgers TONIGHT at 7:30 PM Buy Ticket Unique…
Read More »Allegan County Fair News - August 1, 2023
Purchase Your Concert Ticket Before Aug. 15th and Have Gate Admission Included! Jake Owen and Jameson Rodgers Friday, Sept. 8 at 7:30 PM BUY TICKETS Nelly with special guest Trea Landon Saturday, Sept. 9 at 7:00 PM BUY TICKETS Steve Trevino …
Read More »Allegan County Fair "Show Us Your Talent" Competition
Enter the Allegan County Fair "Show Us Your Talent" Competition! Allegan Show Us Your Talent Competition Allegan County Fair is now accepting applications to this year's "Show Us Your Talent" Competition. This competition is open to all ages.…
Read More »Allegan County Fair News - July 25, 2023
Join us this Weekend! The Allegan Antique Market returns this Sunday, July 30th from 8am to 4pm! We hope to see you there! For more information, please visit the Allegan Antiques website. VISIT THE ALLEGAN ANTIQUES WEBSITE More Upcoming Events! …
Read More »The Allegan Antique Market is Back This Sunday!
Friends of the fair, join us this weekend! The Allegan Antique Market returns this Sunday, June 25th from 8am to 4pm! We hope to see you there! For more information, please visit the Allegan Antiques website. VISIT THE ALLEGAN ANTIQUES…
Read More »Allegan County Fair News - June 20, 2023
Thank you so much for participating in our contest. While you did not win this time, we would still love to see you when Nelly and special guest Trea Landon perform at the Allegan County Fair on Saturday, September 9th at 7:00 PM! Stay tuned as we…
Read More »It's Time to Enter at the Allegan County Fair!
It's Time to Enter at the Allegan County Fair! Cakes, Quilts, Art, Cows and almost anything you can imagine is eligible to win. Friendly competition and fun! Please check out the Premium Book below or call 888-673-6501 for more information on…
Read More »Allegan County Fair News - June 5, 2023
Western Days Bulls and Barrels is happening at the Allegan County Fair Grounds Saturday, June 17th & Sunday, June 18th We hope to see you there! MORE INFORMATION VISIT OUR…
Read More »Allegan County Fair News - May 25, 2023
Get your tickets to the Rodeo and Wheel Show Mania! On Sale Thursday, June 1st at 10:00 AM. Off Road Demo Derby Sunday, Sept. 10 at 6:00 PM ON SALE JUNE 1st at 10 AM Professional Rodeo Tuesday, Sept. 12 at 7:00 PM ON SALE JUNE 1st at 10 AM …
Read More »Allegan County Fair - The Allegan Antique Market
Friends of the fair, join us this weekend! The first Allegan Antique Market of 2023 is happening this Sunday, May 28th from 8am to 4pm! We hope to see you there! For more information, please visit the Allegan Antiques website. VISIT THE ALLEGAN…
Read More »Concert Announcement: Nelly is Coming to the Allegan County Fair
Concert Announcement! Nelly is coming to the Allegan County Fair on Saturday, September 9th with special guest Trea Landon! Nelly with special guest Trea Landon Allegan County Fair Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 7:00 PM Tickets go on sale…
Read More »Allegan County Fair - First Concert Announcement on Friday, April 14, 2023
Stay Tuned: We are announcing our first concert on Friday, April 14, 2023! We are so excited to welcome you all back to the Allegan County Fair, taking place Sep. 8 - 16, 2023! We have a great line-up of shows planned that we cannot wait to share…
Read More »Allegan County Fair - Apply To The Allegan County Agricultural Society Scholarship Fund
Reminder: Scholarship Applications are due April 1st! The Allegan County Agricultural Society provides scholarship funds to help students planning to pursue a post secondary education. This scholarship requires that applicants have…
Read More »Allegan County Fair - We Are Getting Excited for the 2023
Are you raising and training your livestock? Have you started your still exhibits (crafts & fine arts)? Knitting or Quilting that blanket you have always wanted to do? How about a jewel diamond painting or glass etching project? Have you…
Read More »Allegan County Fair - Apply To The Allegan County Agricultural Society Scholarship Fund!
Allegan County Agricultural Society Scholarship Fund Allegan County Agricultural Society provides scholarship funds to help students planning to pursue a post secondary education. This scholarship requires that applicants have participated in…
Read More »Allegan County Fair : Let us host your event!
Please see our website for more information on holding your RV Rallies, Horse or Livestock Shows and Company Picnics at the Allegan County Fairgrounds. LEARN MORE ABOUT HOSTING WITH ALLEGAN COUNTY FAIR LEARN MORE ABOUT ALLEGAN…
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