2009 Brings BIG Changes for the Fair
April 25, 2009
Well Folks, if you have not heard as of yet, 2009 has brought many changes to the Gogebic County Fair and the fairboard.

First, was the retirement of our long seated Fair Board Chairman Steve Thomas.  Steve officially announced his resignation Saturday night at the 2008 fair.  He had finished out his term, and  "retired" officially as of December 1st 2008.  The board then proceeded to name his replacement, in doing so, Jim Gribble was named Fair Board Chairman, and Jim Saari was named as Vice Chairman.
2009 also brought changes of fair board members.   In November '08, Fair Board Member Leroy Kangas had proposed that three of the County Commissioner seats should be filled with "Citizen members".  The fair board approved and shortly after the County Board of Commissioners approved.  So, at the January meeting, the new members were seated and began their new journey.  The new members are Shelly Suchow (2 year term) and Brad Newberry and Tom Hampston (1 year term)   We welcome them to the board and wish them the best in their new journey!    They will be replacing outgoing members Dennis Jacobson, Bob Morin and Leroy Kangas.  THANK YOU GENTLEMEN FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK! The one other seat on the fair board will be held by the Chairman of the County Board, Tom Gerovac.   The one unchanging board member is Jim Taylor.  He is still on the board has he has been, working as hard as ever and Jim, WE APPRECIATE  YOU ALSO!

We now have a new fair secretary, we are happy that Paula Beckman has become the new lady in the office and the one who will be making sure we are on task and keeping us going!  The fair secretary job is a big job with lots to learn and do, but we feel Paula is up to the task, she has been doing a fantastic job so far and we feel that she is a great addition to the fair.  WELCOME PAULA!   Our outgoing secretary, Amy Hamel has left for another position within the MSU Extension office.  We would like to say THANKS AMY! for helping out and for all of the great work you have done at the fair!

There will be two big changes in the 2009 Gogebic County Fair.  First, the dates of the fair. This year's fair will be AUGUST 20,21,22,23, 2009. 

     The other big change is that we will have a new carnival attending this years fair.  Between Sept. 2008  and November '08, it was decided that a new carnival would be sought.  In December 2008, Indianhead Amusement was signed as the new carnival for the 2009 Gogebic County Fair.     Indianhead Amusement is contracted to bringing 14 rides, and 3 (or more) food wagons to the 2009 fair, so there will be some different rides available and some of the old favorites.  The All-Inclusive price will still be in effect,  $9.00 a day is all you pay!  Which still means FREE GRANDSTAND CONCERTS and FREE RIDES in the  midway.

The Gogebic County Fair Board has a lot of work ahead in the coming year.  There are some changes to come, but there are many things that will remain the same from previous years.   "With the new board members, it gives us the opportunity to bring in some new and fresh ideas to the fair" Fair Board Vice Chairman Jim Saari said "I think that this will be a positive thing for the fair overall".

If you have any questions or concerns with the upcoming 2009 Gogebic County Fair, feel free to give our office a call and talk with Paula Beckman or Amy Hamel.  Or give Fair Chairman Jim Gribble (906) 932-0957

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During the year                  During the Fair
  Gogebic County Fair          Gogebic County Fairgrounds
  500 North Moore                 648 West Cloverland Drive
  Bessemer, MI 49911             Ironwood, MI 49938
  (906) 663-4045                     (906) 932-2700
On Thursday, May 7th the Gogebic County Fair Board was notified of the following news via email from E.J. Brown, Executive Director of the Michigan Association of Fairs and Exhibitions.

Re: Elimination of Fair premiums for 2009

Governor Granholms Executive Order 2009.22 was passed by the Joint Committee on Wednesday afternoon, May 5, 2009.

The House voted: 27 ayes and 4 nay; Senate 16 aye and 2 nays. Effective immediately.

The entire Executive Order (EO) 2009.22 is posted on the MAFE website at www.michiganfairs.org and click on the MDA update page to either view or download the document. Fairs & premiums information is on page 2 of the EO.
Fair premiums were completely eliminated for this years Fair season 2009.
There will be no premium money coming from the State for the 2009 Fair season. 

HARNESS RACING program funding is being drastically reduced also.  The impact will be determined Monday afternoon May 11.  Information to follow.  (The information that has followed, is that the State has cut the harness racing at 7 fairs, including the Gogebic County Fair.)

These are challenging times in Michigan . We have to be more creative in how we approach funding for our events. The Michigan Association of Fairs & Exhibitions is here as a resource for you. Please contact us at anytime.

Please share this with others in your organization & community.
Every Day is a Fair Day in Michigan !

EJ Brown
Executive Director
Michigan Association of Fairs and Exhibitions
PO Box 127, Munger MI 48747-0127
E-mail: mifairs@yahoo.com           www.michiganfairs.org
989.450.5942 voice ** 989.659.2911 fax

Well, folks that's right....the State of Michigan has cut our funding for  premiums.  The Fair Board will be holding a special meeting on Monday, May 11th at the fairgrounds to see what we can do. 
State of Michigan puts hurt to Gogebic County Fair
May 15th,2009
The last couple of weeks have been really tough for the Gogebic County Fair.  The budget cuts to the fair from the State of Michigan have been devistating.  The Gogebic County Fair is not the only one that the State has hurt....all of the fairs have been cut as well.  First, the premium monies were cut from our budget, and now word has come down that the State has cut the harness racing program along with 7 other fairs. 
The 2009 Fair, A RECAP
August 30th, 2009   
Another fair has come and gone, and despite the uncooperative weather, and the loss of a fair board member, the fair still went on with very little incident.  One disappointment was the cancellation of the Harness Racing program.  The Harness Racing judge has the final word about running the races or canceling. She explained to the fair board...which they agreed, it's about safety.  She described the track as "pudding" thus ruled unsafe.  "We did not want to see the races cancelled, but we don't want anyone hurt." Jim Gribble, Fair Board Chairman stated.  The Gogebic County Fair Board would like to thank all of the horsemen who attended the fair, Sorry, hopefully next year.

      The fair overall went "fairly" well considering.  Gate totals were down overall, due to the rain Thursday and Friday.  Saturday and Sunday with beautiful warm weather helped raise the totals, but the fair did fall short from last years gate total numbers. 

The concerts did go on thanks to a great crew.  Rather than canceling the Buddy Jewell Concert on Friday due to not being able to cross the "pudding track" to set up equipment, the concert was moved indoors to the multi purpose building.   The concert was fantastic and Buddy and the band were some of the best people to deal with. "Buddy was very kind and personable" Fair Board Member Jim Saari said  "This was one of my favorite concerts to do."  

On Saturday the music did move to the grandstand,  although the track was little muddy and slick at first, the sunny warm weather did dry the track somewhat by show time.  HEADLINERS, INC. with Jimi and Alex was a hit!  Many fairgoers enjoyed the show and there were many that stuck around to the end even with the cold 44 degree weather. "This band was great, they were suppose to only play for 90 minutes, they performed for 2 hours and 20 minutes." Saari said "We all got our monies worth with this band"
                                   
The Fair Board would like to thank everyone who attended the fair, and those vendors, entertainers and participants that worked so well together in dealing with re-scheduling of events due to the uncoopertive weather. 

The board has received many compliments on the fair dispite the weather.  Many fair goers enjoyed the new carnival, Indianhead Amusements and most of the comments were positive.   One of the biggest compliments was about the return of the Bumper Cars at the fair, which have not been seen since the early 80's. 

"The board has a lot of work ahead" Fair Board Chairman Jim Gribble stated "We need to take a look at this year,  see were we can improve, and make the fair better for next year, and there is a lot of things to consider, and it's going to take some time to get through it all.  I would like to thank everyone who attended the fair and worked together to put on this event.  The whole board appreciates it!"

The fair board would love to hear from you!  Make sure you take our "Survey" and let us know your opinion on the 2009 fair, what you liked or disliked, and what you would like to see.  We welcome all comment, good, bad or other.  The comments help the board in deciding what the public would like to see, and what changes to make at the 2010 fair.

Watch here for updates and a recap of the 2009 Gogebic County Fair complete with photos, winner listings in the Auction, Horse shows and Livestock Auction.  If you have any fair photos you would like to share with us, feel free to email them to us!  We would love to see them and maybe even put them up on the website to share with everyone!   Thank you all for another year at the Gogebic County Fair!

In Memory of Brad Newberry, Fair Board Member
August 15th, 2009
With great sadness we announce the loss of one of our newest members, Bradley Newberry. Brad passed away on Wednesday, August 12, 2009 from injuries sustained in an accident while clearing brush from a section of ATV/Snowmobile trail.  He is survived by his wife, Katina, and his three young sons, William, Adam and Michael.   Although Brad only joined the fair board in January 09, he has been  working with the fair for years.  

"Brad was a great guy who did a lot for the fair" Fair Board Chairman Jim Gribble commented "He was a true asset to the fair and will be missed"

Brad was one of those guys who was always ready to lend a hand at a moments notice,  and most of the time when it came to helping the fair, he usually had some sort of equipment in tow.  Brad was a dedicated volunteer who always gave of his time and expertise, never thinking of himself, only how he could make things better.










From all of us at the Gogebic County Fair, thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Katina, three boys, William, Michael and Adam and family and friends.    An account has been established for the Newberry children.  Donations can be sent to: The Newberry Boys Fund, c/o The Gogebic County Federal Credit Union, 600 West Lead Street, Bessemer, Michigan 49911  (906) 663-4011.

Bradley Newberry Obituary
Over the last 8 years, Brad was instrumental in putting on the concerts in the grandstand at the fair.  "He was my right hand man when it came to the concerts" Fair Board Member Jim Saari said.  "What ever I needed, he was there...most of the time, before I asked."   "It's going to be tough for me at this years fair, I didn't just loose my right hand man, I feel like I lost a brother" Saari said, "Brad was so happy when he had been choosen to be on the fair board, and having his boys in 4H this year.  He really loved the fair and it showed in all of his volunteering.