It's Saline Community Fair Week

Pre-fair Activities start Monday…The entering of exhibits at the 2017 Saline Community Fair will take place on Monday, August 28 from 2-8 p.m. and on Tuesday, August 29 from 9 a.m. until noon at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds at 5055 Ann Arbor Saline Road, Ann Arbor. Stop by local businesses to pick up a copy of the fairbook where you will find a variety of categories in which to enter exhibits. Exhibit areas range from antiques to crafts to cooking to floriculture and horticulture, photography and many more.  A digital copy of the fairbook can also be found online at www.salinefair.org.   Anyone interested is invited to enter exhibits. One of the new classes this year is a coloring class. Details can be found on page 61 of the fairbook. Youth participants must use the picture provided in the fairbook on page 41 or from the website; adult participants may enter their choice of a coloring book page.

The fair parade will be held in Saline on Tuesday, August 29 at 6:30 p.m. beginning at Henne Field and proceeding down Bennett Street. The Boys and Girls Pet Show and the Best Decorated Bicycle Contest will be held again this year and will take place at Henne Field prior to the parade. Youth up to age 16 can participate. Registration is at 4:30 p.m. and entries close at 5 p.m.  Judging will begin at 5:15 p.m. After judging, participants will walk or ride in the parade.  See all rules and categories in the fairbook on page 62. Everyone will receive a ribbon and there are Best of Show awards also. During the parade the fairboard members will also be giving away some fair passes.  

Started in 1936, the Saline Community Fair was the first community fair in Washtenaw County and was held on November 13, one day only, as a means of showing the projects which the FFA boys had completed during that year. It was sponsored by the Saline Chapter of the Future Farmers of America and the Saline Schools cooperating, and was held in the Union School hallways. In 1944 the Saline Fair was reorganized and incorporated as a non-profit corporation. The reorganization provided a structure for expanded community involvement and growth to recognize the skills, talents, recreation and interests of area residents by holding an annual fair. The fair was held at Henne Field until 1966 when it was moved permanently to the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds.

The Saline Fair has always been planned and implemented by volunteers. There are currently 25 volunteer directors on the fairboard and they meet monthly to work on planning and implementing the annual fair. The board continues to reach out to the community, creating partnerships with local businesses, groups, and individuals through sponsorships and various activities. These partnerships and the support of the community makes a significant difference. Contributors to the fair helps them provide the community with a piece of rural tradition, history, childhood memories, agricultural education and family fun.

For a complete schedule of the fair activities August 28 through September 4 visit www.salinefair.org. You are also invited to follow the fair on facebook at Saline Community Fair or call the fair office during the fair at 734-429-1131. Please also join us in thanking and supporting the many businesses and individuals who help to make the fair possible through many hours of volunteering, financial and in-kind support, advertising and many other donations. See you at the fair!

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