You Can’t Miss These Country and Rock Artists Playing Michigan’s Upper Peninsula State Fair in 2023

If you live below the Mackinac Bridge in Michigan, you'd be excused if you didn't realize that Michigan has a vibrant and long-running State Fair.

While there is the legacy Michigan State Fair near Detroit, the event ground to a halt after funding was discontinued in 2009 with sputters and starts to resume the event in private hands.

The Upper Peninsula State Fair, however, has been held annually in Escanaba since 1928. It was recognized, along with the Detroit-version as one of two official State Fairs in Michigan.

When state funding dried up in 2009, a regional fair board took over operations of the UP State Fair and has continued the tradition.

The 2023 Upper Peninsula State Fair Line-Up

The 2023 UP State Fair will run from August 14 through August 20. There are three national acts headlining during the fair.

Ashley McBride - Thursday, August 17

Night Ranger - Friday, August 18

Switchfoot - Saturday, August 19

Upper Peninsula State Fair Grandstand Admission Prices

One of the best things about the UP State Fair is the grandstand acts are included in the daily fair admission. While the fair does offer an upgrade to what they call Gold Circle Seating, general grandstand admission comes along with the daily $10 adult/$5 youth admission.

Perhaps you think that State Fairs are part of a bygone era. While they certainly celebrate agricultural heritage, they remain a vibrant part of summer. But if you would like to harken back to simpler times, check out these most common jobs across Michigan from the Civil War-era.