The web Browser you are currently using is unsupported, and some features of this site may not work as intended. Please update to a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox or Edge to experience all features Michigan.gov has to offer.
County Fairs and Festivals
County Fairs and Festivals
Michigan has 86 county fairs every year!
MDARD’s Food and Dairy Division is responsible for licensing food vendors at county fairs in Michigan. MDARD food inspectors and food sanitarians from local health departments inspect food trucks and issue licenses for food trucks, fair kitchens and other food vendors at each fair to assure food safety requirements are being met.
The department’s Animal Industry Division protects, regulates, and promotes animal health by performing inspections and educational outreach at fairs and exhibitions to ensure all livestock appear healthy; have proper care during fairs; and have appropriate official identification, test charts, and interstate certificates of veterinary inspection, when required. MDARD veterinarians also assist in the investigation and control of reportable disease cases at these events.
MDARD also offers competitive grants to county fairs for upgrading buildings and other capital improvements to fairground facilities.
Animal Health at Fairs and Exhibitions
- HPAI and Fairs and Exhibitions - Important information on highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI or ‘bird flu’) for fair poultry and dairy cattle exhibitors
- Resources, movement requirements and animal disease information - Guidelines and resources for transporting animals and purchasing official animal identification
- Michigan Youth Livestock Scholarship Fund - How to apply for annual scholarship awarded to outstanding youth exhibitors
Find a Fair or Festival
Information for Food Vendors
- 2025 Fair Inspections Transition - MDARD will inspect and license food vendors at many fairs. However, some local health departments manage inspections. Here is a list of participating fairs and Local Health Department contacts
- Notification of Intent to Serve Form (Fillable PDF) - Notification of Intent to Operate a Special Transitory Food Unit (Word Doc)