Designs on the Past

2001 U.P. State Fair Michigan

The International Association of Fairs and Expositions holds a contest each year for Fairs and Expositions featuring different themes and different categories for each theme.

The 2001 award for "Outstanding Competitive Exhibit Display Method and/or Prop Used to Display or Present Winners" For Fairs Whose Attendance was 100,001 - 250,000 was awarded to the U.P. State Fair for its "Designs on the Past" project.  Grant Larsen, U.P. State Fair Manager, accepted the award during the December IAFE Convention in December 2001.

The objective of the "Designs on the Past" project was to design and construct a new display for the Fair's  Needlework Department.  The Challenge was to turn an 80' long by 6' deep area, with concrete floors and black walls into an eye catching exhibit with no extra funding or manpower.  The idea was to incorporate 4' wide by 8' long hinged display tables that were attached to the back walls.  The display needed to be versatile enough to showcase over 200 entries of various shapes and sizes.  The purpose was to, not only showcase the devotion, dedication and timeless skills put forth by the exhibitors, but to also entice the fairgoers to view and enjoy each entry.

The project was a success due to the assistance of sponsors and volunteers such as the local lumberyard/hardware, Delta Do-It Center, and a local Feed Mill.  Dick Hanson, Set Director from the local theater group, Player's DeNoc, agreed to design and oversee the project.   Seven members of the theater group agreed to assist with construction and the fine detailed painting.  For the heavier construction, Carpenters Mill Wright Local 1510 sent three men who completed the bulk of the construction in six hours.  Five Drama Department students from Escanaba High School; did the finer and detailed construction.  Six students in the Learn and Serve Program from Delta County did the base painting.  These students enjoyed the project so much, some of these same students are now interested in entering their high school's drama department.  

Previous IAFE Awards Received:

1998 - Fairs on Wheels Single Interview - Television Special Agricultural Educational Event for the Fairgoing Public 1994 - Showcasing U.P. Potatoes Video of the Overall Agricultural Program 1993 - Ag-citing Experience Tour Video of the Overall Agricultural Program