Rain and flooding impact U.P. State Fair attendance

ESCANABA — Heavy rains had a big impact on attendance during the U.P. State Fair’s two biggest days this year.

According to the final numbers just released by fair officials, two inches of rain and flooding throughout the fairgrounds on Saturday, August 20th resulted in a 75 percent drop in gate attendance on what is typically the event’s busiest day.

However, thanks in part to a successful Sunday, the fair only experienced a 13 percent drop overall. Officials cite extended hours, fireworks, and reduced gate admissions as reasons attendance rebounded on Sunday.

In all, 75,000 people visited the U.P. State Fair in Escanaba.