Celebrate Americana at the Big Mitten Fair at Michigan International Speedway over Labor Day weekend 2015. Fans of Big Mitten will come together at MIS to buckle up and experience the hospitality of the Irish Hills. The Big Mitten Fair and Festival begins Thursday, September 3rd, and will end Monday, September 7.
“It is very exciting that the Big Mitten Fair and Festival has chosen the Irish Hills and MIS to host this great event. Our goal has been to make MIS a year-round entertainment destination, and adding the Big Mitten Fair and Festival to our growing lineup of other premier events will bring even more economic impact to, and further enhance the quality of life in our Great State of Michigan.” Roger Curtis President, MIS
Prepare yourself for five great days of festivities. In celebration of the Irish Hills heritage, the fair commences with a Celtic party hosted by Experience Jackson and featuring American Rogues. Americana Music will be highlighted nightly with performances by The Wood Brothers and Gill Landry of Old Crow Medicine Show fame. Big Rock Amusements will be presenting midways at both the Big Mitten Way and Kids Go Zone. An exciting Teen Hub is planned with a skate park, karaoke stage, recycling demos, lounge area, photo shoots and more. The Big Drive on the world’s fastest 2 mile oval is on the menu and MIS Camping will be open for those planning a Staycation.
A team of entrepreneurs spent five years making the Big Mitten in an effort to provide their region with a superior venue for entertainment, community, vocational education, artisanship and philanthropy.
The festival is a cause driven event motivated by the organizers desire to help expose young people and the community to the opportunities available in the skills and trades. Jackson College and the Jackson Intermediate School District are leading the charge. Free tickets are being distributed throughout the region and a donor advised fund is established. Camp Liberty, an organization for disabled veterans, will be promoting military veterans causes and contributions. Michigan State Police, Army, Marines, Navy and Air Force plan to be involved.
Terry Bonnell, with over 21 years of county fair management experience, is the acting general manager and appeared on today’s Bart Hawley Show to announce the fair.