Chesaning, Mich. – A book celebrating 100 years of the Saginaw County Fair, titled “A Family Fun Affair” by Roselynn Ederer, is scheduled for publication in July 2013. The 8-1/2” x 11” collector’s edition soft-bound book containing 216 pages was produced in part with a $5,000 grant from the Saginaw Community Foundation.
“A big thank you to the Saginaw Community Foundation and to Sue Dodak (SVAA Treasurer) for her hard work in preparing the grant application,” said Francis Sloan, president of the Saginaw County Fair Board of Directors. “You won’t want to miss this once-in-a-lifetime wonderful history of the Saginaw County Fair.”
Since August 2012, Ederer has worked to compile an exciting history of the fair. Many fond memories have been captured in the anniversary book. Several people have shared personal photos and memories. The Saginaw County Fair archives proved to be an excellent resource, filled with exciting photos, news articles and stories waiting to be told. “A Family Fun Affair” features 320 black and white photos, 96 vibrant color photos and an index.
The book details the fair’s entire history beginning with its origin in 1914 as an agricultural-based four-day fair. The stories progress through the fair’s heyday in the 1950s. During this period, the fair grew to eight days and was labeled the largest county fair in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains. Continuing into the 1990s, declining attendance and a reduced schedule to four days nearly brought about the demise of the fair. In 2002, the county fair was moved to Chesaning, Mich. A dedicated corps of volunteers reimagined the nearly century old fair into a renewed Chesaning Agricultural Exhibition.
“A Family Fun Affair” will be available for purchase at the fair beginning on July 30 for $25. From July 30 – August 3, Ederer will be present to personally sign copies of the book.