Lori Branstrom Memorial Livestock Expo to be held at UP State Fairgrounds in August

ESCANABA — The UP State Fair Authority has announced a modified event to allow some important fair activities to still go on as previously planned.

The Lori Branstrom Memorial Livestock Expo–named for the woman who was responsible for much of the fair’s livestock event success until her passing earlier this year–will be held August 17 – 22.

Vice Chair Ed McBroom says that going forward with showing livestock and the Jr. Market Livestock Auction was important to the Fair Authority. The young people involved have been working hard to prepare for the fair, and the Authority wanted to ensure they still had that opportunity.

“A lot of these kids have been raising their animals for months now, dating even before the COVID crisis began,” said McBroom. “So we’re finding a way to make sure it happens within the parameters that the State is making us follow. It’s going to be a lot of work and it’s going to be a truncated show, just a few days for each species of animal. We really hope people will come out and continue to show the support for the youth that they have over the years. And maybe even some new folks will have an interest in buying some beef from the UP or pork raised in the UP; that would just be a great opportunity.”

The Livestock Expo will comply with social distancing standards and other safety guidelines recommended by the CDC and the State.

More information and updates concerning the Livestock Expo can be found on the UP State Fair Facebook page.