Photo by Northwestern Michigan Fair

Northwestern Michigan Fair in Traverse City

August 2026

The Northwestern Michigan Fair in Traverse City is held in mid-August. It was established in 1908 and has been held at its current location at 3606 Blair Town Hall Rd., Traverse City, since 1975. The fair continues to follow its original purpose of celebrating area agriculture and youth programs.

Gates are open from 8am-11pm, Livestock Barns are open from 10am–10pm, Exhibit Building is open from 10am–10pm (Mon-Sat), Midway is open Mon-Sat (see below for times)

Here's what happened last year:

Sunday: Family Day

8am-12pm – Pancake Breakfast in the Food Pavilion
9am – Open Pee Wee Goat Breed, Showmanship, Pack, Obstacle in Rosa Arena
10am – 4-H Cavy & Rabbit Showmanship in the Greenspace Tent
10am – Draft Horse Team, Wagon in the Horse Arena
10am – 4-H Differently-Abled Swine Show in the Swine Barn
12pm – 4-H Dog Agility, Rally Obedience, Obedience, & Showmanship outside Rosa Arena
4pm – 4-H My Goat & Me Interviews
5pm – Vows with the Cows. Interested couples should email woodhamsc50@gmail.comwith both of names, how long you have been married, and why you would like to renew your wedding vows at this event. Couples who are chosen receive a renewal of vows certificate, cake, refreshments, a Ferris wheel ride sponsored by Arnold’s Amusements, and dinner for 2.
5-11pm – Midway Open
7pm – TNT Bump ‘n Run in the Grandstand
8pm – 4-H Glow Party

Monday: Veterans/Seniors Day

7pm – Truck & Tractor Show in the Grandstand
8am – Open Swine Show in Haberlein Arena
8:30am – 4-H Poultry & Waterfowl Market in the Poultry Barn
8:30am – 4-H Horse Halter, Showmanship, Pole Bending, Keyhole, Speed & Action, Costume, Hobby Horse, & Horse Skillathlon in the Horse Arena
9am – 4-H Breed Cavies, Market Rabbits, Breed Rabbits, Open Breed Cavies & Rabbits in the Rabbit Barn
9am – 4-H Swine Showmanship in Haberlein Arena
9:30am – 4-H Differently Abled Program Show in the Greenspace Tent
1pm – 4-H Swine Market in Haberlein Arena
1pm – 4-H Poultry & Waterfowl Showmanship in the Greenspace Tent
1pm – 4-H Lamb Market in Rosa Arena
1-4:30pm – Bingo Tent
4:30pm – Open Lamb Showmanship & Breed in Rosa Arena
6-9:30pm – Bingo Tent
6-11pm – Midway Open

Tuesday: 4-H Day

8am– Open Heifer, Cow, Cow/Half, Bull, Bred, & Owned at Haberlein Arena
8am – Open Dairy Feeder, Jr. Beef, & Large Beef at Haberlein Arena
Following Open Cattle Shows – 4-H Dairy Feeder, Jr. Beef, & Large Beef
8:30am – Horse English Equitation, English Pleasure, Dressage, & Trail in the Horse Arena
9am – 4-H Lamb Showmanship, Market, Breed, Pack, & Draft in Rosa Arena
10am-3pm – 4-H Blood Drive at the Front Gate
12-5pm – Midway Open
1pm – 4-H Lamb Showmanship, Clover Buds to follow in Rosa Arena
1-4:30pm – Bingo Tent
6pm – 4-H & Open Llama/Alpaca Showmanship & Halter Class in Rosa Arena
6-9:30pm – Bingo Tent
6-11pm – Midway Open
7pm – SJO Motocross in the Grandstand
8pm – 4-H Movie Night

Wednesday: Kids & Special Kids Day

8:30am – 4-H Horse Western Horsemanship, Western Pleasure, Ranch Riding, Reining, Western Riding, Indiana Flag Race, & Cloverleaf in the Horse Arena
9-11am – Differently-Abled Program Petting Zoo
9am – 4-H Large Beef Showmanship, Large Dairy Beef, Dairy Feeder, Clover Buds to follow in Haberlein Arena
12-5pm – Midway Open
1pm – 4-H Rabbit Skillathon
2pm – 4-H Goat Talent & Costume Show, and Parade, Open Goat Fun Class in Rosa Arena
3pm – Homemaker & Jr. Homemaker of the Year Awards
4pm – 4-H & Open Llama & Alpaca Costume Class, Obstacle Course, & Pack in Rosa Arena
5-7pm – 4-H Auction Buyer Pre-Registration
6-9:30pm – Bingo Tent
7pm – Lawnmower & Mini Wedge Races in the Grandstand
8pm – 4-H Goat Run at Goat Barn
8pm – 4-H Lamb Run at Lamb Barn

Thursday: AG Day

8am – 4-H Auction Buyer Registration
9am – 4-H Large Animal Auction in Haberlein Arena
10am – 4-H Small Animal Auction in Rosa Arena
11am-2pm – 4-H Buyers’ Luncheon in the Greenspace Tent
12-5pm – Midway Open
1-4:30pm – Bingo Tent
6-9:30pm – Bingo Tent
6-11pm – Midway Open
7pm – Tough Trucks in the Grandstand
8pm – 4-H Goat Run at Goat Barn
8pm – 4-H Lamb Run at Lamb Barn
8:30pm – 4-H Movie Night

Friday: Demo Day

8:30am – Open Horse Show
9am-3:30pm – 4-H Blood Drive outside the Jr. Beef Barn
9am – 4-H Cloverbud Showmanship- Rabbits, Cavies, Poultry in Rosa Arena (south end)
10am – 4-H Goat Clover Bud Showmanship in Rosa Arena (north end)
10am-1pm – 4-H Farm Dog in Haberlein Arena
12-5pm – Midway Open with reduced rates on carnival rides for 4-H members
1pm – 4-H Fun Classes in Haberlein Arena
1pm – 4-H Rabbit Fun Classes & Agility in the Greenspace Tent
1-4:30pm – Bingo Tent
4pm – 4-H Grand Champion Showmanship Showdown in Haberlein Arena
6-9:30pm – Bingo Tent
6-11pm – Midway Open
7-11pm – All 4-H Dance in Rosa Arena
7pm – TNT Bump & Run and Demolition Derby in the Grandstand
7:30-9pm – 4-H Differently Abled Party in the Greenspace Tent
8pm – 4-H Goat Run at Goat Barn
8pm – 4-H Lamb Run at Lamb Barn
11pm-12am – Adult Only Dance in Rosa Arena

Saturday: Fair Finale Day

7pm – Twisted P Rodeo in the Grandstand
9am – 4-H Awards Program, Celebration of Champions, & Senior Recognition in Rosa Arena
12-11pm – Midway Open with reduced rates on carnival rides for 4-H members
1-4:30pm – Bingo Tent
2pm – Fair Queen Pageant in Rosa Arena
4pm – 4-H Fun Saturday Games at Haberlein Arena
4pm – 4-H Fun Saturday Cloverbud Games in the Greenspace Tent
6-9:30pm – Bingo Tent
8pm – 4-H Goat Run at Goat Barn
8pm – 4-H Lamb Run at Lamb Barn