Leader Publications

The Berrien County Youth Fair Board of Directors has announced that 75 percent of the published amounts for youth premiums for this year’s fair will be paid.

In an effort to raise premium money for youth Fair exhibitors, the Berrien County Youth Fair Board of Directors held a pancake breakfast and antique tractor pull this summer and also received personal and business donations, all totaling close to $4,000.  While these fundraisers were very helpful, they are only a small drop in the bucket towards raising enough funds to make up for the loss in annual State funding.

“Although the weather dampened a couple days during the week, the sunny weather of the rest of the week resulted in great fun and good attendance,” said Lana Stover-Henderson, the fair’s manager. “In addition, the number of exhibitors and exhibits were up from last year.”  Exhibitors also receive ribbons and trophies, which have already been awarded.

“The board felt paying 75 percent of the premiums again this year was appropriate, as we want to continue to encourage and reward the exhibitors’ participation in the fair as much as we can,” said Susan Coulston, a BCYF board member and treasurer. “We wanted to balance the needs of the exhibitors with the need to reinvest in our facilities to maintain the fair for them in the future.  We are grateful for the supporters of the fundraisers that have helped us fund this premium payout at this level.”

This year, the fair had more than 2,500 exhibitors between the ages of 5 and 20 displaying 13,400 exhibits in approximately 3,000 classes. The BCYF exhibitor handbook states the fair reserves the right to pro-rate premiums if funding is not received from the State of Michigan or if fair receipts are insufficient to pay expenses.

The fair board would like to remind exhibitors to cash premium checks within 30 days as uncashed premium checks are eventually turned over to the state.

Any exhibitor wishing to donate their premium check back to the fair is asked to simply sign the back of their check and send it back to the fair.

Raising funds for next year’s premiums begins Nov. 3 with the first annual Premium Prom.  The “Premium Prom” will be an adult-only dinner dance with a silent auction held at Pebblewood Country Club in Bridgman.  Tickets for the event are $35 for an adult, $60 for a couple, or $300 for a table of 10 and include dinner and an evening out.  More information and tickets can be obtained at the fair office. Call (269) 473-4251.