ESCANABA — The sights, sounds and smells of the Upper Peninsula State Fair have faded, but the fair authority is still hard at work making sure the fair returns bigger and better than ever in 2025.

The U.P. State Fair Authority Board met late last month to review changes at the 2024, which included a significant amount of community support. For example, parking assistance was provided by the Knights of Columbus and wheelchair support was provided by the Gladstone Amvets.

The year also included a different kind of support for guests, a special sensory-friendly theme day on Tuesday of fair week. The special time, when lights and sounds were reduced, allowed individuals with sensory issues — like those common with people on the autism spectrum — to better enjoy the fair.

Another key enhancement from 2024 identified by the authority board was implementing priority camping for exhibitors.

However, the 2024 fair highlighted a few areas in need of improvement as well. During the event, a major power outage knocked out electricity to much of the fairgrounds not long before grandstand entertainment was about to begin. The city’s electrical department was onsite within minutes of the outage and, with the help of Freedom Electric, isolated the issue and prevented it from spreading. In addition, Sunbelt Rentals provided high voltage generators during the outage.

While the outage was addressed, it underscored a serious concern for the fair authority: the fairgrounds’ aging infrastructure. Implementing solutions for potential power outages is one of the key areas that authority noted in its Oct. 25 meeting.

The authority also noted that it will be important to implement enhanced cleaning and maintenance on the fairgrounds in 2025. Rising attendance has both led to an increase in trash at the fair and more wear and tear on the buildings and grounds themselves.

The grounds will also be getting upgrades in 2025. At the recommendation of the building and grounds committee, an electronic scoreboard will be installed at the Escanaba Motor Speedway, fully funded and installed by the speedway group. That project will be completed before the 2025 racing season kicks off.

The building and grounds committee also recommended a change in the project management award for the construction of bathhouses, which are being funded by a grant from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund. The previously selected contractor recently retired, and the contract was awarded to Dynamic Design.

A number of financial issues were also discussed by the authority, including the most recently completed audit.

The latest audit, conducted by Schneider, Larche, and Haapala, covered a 15-month period due to the authority’s decision to change its reporting year. That audit covered the period that ended Dec. 31, 2022 and showed close to a $700,000 (roughly 21%) increase to the authority’s net position. That increase was primarily due to a $500,000 grant that the authority received from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation for the revenue lost as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Approximately $625,000 was lost due to the cancellation of the fair and other activities that year.

“There were no material misstatements in our financial statements, indicating that the Authority is fully compliant with accounting standards and has presented their financial information accurately — no deficiencies were noted,” said Vickie Micheau, executive director of the Delta County Chamber of Commerce and management agent for the Upper Peninsula State Fair.

Still, the finance committee recommended increasing the authority’s “rainy-day” and capital improvement funds following the next audit. The audit is anticipated before the end of the year.

Changes for fair exhibitors were also discussed. The department advisory committee proposed changes to the Junior Market exhibitor eligibility, setting the age range at 8 to 20 years as of Jan. 1. Feedback from exhibitor suggestion boxes was also reviewed, and plans were put in place to implement feasible ideas.