Cash Woes Force Saline Fair to Cancel Parade

Organizers of the 77th Saline Community Fair have decided to eliminate the annual parade through downtown Saline from this year’s festivities.

The annual fair, which takes place at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds from Aug. 28 to Sept. 2, has been downsized due to lack of funds.

Kevin Ernst, president of the Saline Community Fair Association, outlined some of the fair’s troubles in a letter to the city requesting the waiving of fees for use of the city’s mobile stage.

Ernst said the fair has lost money over the prior three years due to the loss of “state aid” from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and stormy weather in 2010 and 20111.

“As a result, we have cut premiums to exhibitors, eliminated certain events and moved the Fair dates up one week so we are not competing with the opening of school,” Ernst wrote.

Ernst said the decision to eliminate the parade will save money for the fair and for the city.

Here are highlights from schedule

Tuesday, Aug. 28

Family Day

2 p.m. – Midway opens

8 p.m. – Miss Saline Pageant

Wednesday, Aug. 29

Senior Citizens’ Day

1 p.m. – Senior Citizens program

2 p.m. – Antique appraisals

6 p.m. – AG Olympics

Thursday, Aug. 30

Pre-School/Children’s Day

(All rides $1 after 2 p.m.)

9 a.m. – Ann Arbor Hands On Museum

7 p.m. – Junior Livestock Auction

7 p.m. – SJO Motorcross

Friday, Aug. 31

Ladies’ Day

1 p.m. – Ladies’ Day program

6 p.m. – Saline’s Got Talent

7:30 p.m. – Fiddlers ReStrung

Saturday, Sept. 1

Children’s Day

Noon – Children’s Parade

1 p.m. – Cirque Amongus

7 p.m. – Tractor Pull (super stock & modified)

7:30 p.m. – Brenda Loomis

Sunday, Sept. 2

AG Day

Noon – Taste of Agriculture

8 p.m. – Saline Rotary Steer Drawing

More News from Saline

• Resurfacing Work to Close Part of Parker Road Starting April 23 The Washtenaw County Road Commission will close Parker Road between Scio Church and Liberty roads in Lima and Scio townships to resurface the roadway.
• With Lyme Disease on the Rise, Washtenaw County Health Offers Tips to Prevent Tick Bites Preventing tick bites is especially important as local cases of Lyme disease have increased dramatically in recent years,