Tens of thousands of spectators and participants are set to descend on the fairgrounds in Berrien Springs for a week of exhibits, fair food and fun.
The Berrien County Youth Fair is scheduled for Aug. 15-20 with the theme “Red, White and Blue in 2022.” Each night will feature grandstand performances, including tractor pulls, a circus, demolition derbies, a rodeo and a performance by country music artist Granger Smith.
Fair Manager Karen Klug said she is most excited to see the local youth show off their hard work with at the animal and still exhibits.
“I think that’s probably the best part of it all,” Klug said. “I don’t know yet our total number of exhibits, but as we have registrations, it seems like they were coming in pretty good. So, hopefully all of our barns will be filled up again like they were before COVID, and everybody will have a great time.”
The BCYF, which attracts over 100,000 spectators, is an event for the entire family to attend, said BCYF President Corey Burks, in a letter.
“Our visitors will find something for everyone to enjoy,” Burks said. Almost 11,000 exhibits on display exhibited by over 1,000 Berrien County Youth ages 5 through 20, animals, food, rides, over 100 commercial exhibits, entertainment, beautiful flowers and grounds with picnic tables and benches to name just a few.”
Additional attractions include a look at the history of Berrien County’s rural one and two room school houses, axe throwing demonstrations and contests, as well as daily entertainment in the mall area on the Al Barbott Memorial Stage.
Klug also mentioned that the dogs and cats will be in a different location this year. Usually, they are up close to M-139 in a large tent, but this year it will be back in Building 34, the Ag Expo building.
For the first time ever, the fair will be offering a “still exhibit” auction, a move which organizers said likely will please fairgoers and participants.
“Every year we have exhibitors and spectators ask how they can sell or buy one of the still exhibits,” Berrien County Youth Fair Marketing and Sponsorship Coordinator Jill Hein said. “It’s been asked for many years, so we decided to try it this year.”
Organizers said a still exhibit is anything in the categories of home economics, crafts, horticulture and flowers.
“It does bring a level of excitement to the exhibitors that might not have a livestock animal that don’t get to participate in the livestock auctions,” Hein said. “This gives them something to auction off.”
The still exhibit auction is set to take place Saturday, Aug. 20 at 10 a.m. under the rabbit tent.
Tickets for grandstand performances, including this Sunday’s Tractor Pull before the fair, can be purchased at the Berrien County Youth Fair website.
