50,000 Attended Great Lakes State Fair

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NOVI – Organizers for Michigan’s revived state fair, The Great Lakes State Fair, announced attendance figures today for the Michigan tradition that returned to the metro Detroit after a three-year absence.

According to Kent Roberts, vice chairman of the Great Lakes State Fair Board, more than 50,000 people passed through the gates at the Suburban Collection Showcase over labor day weekend to enjoy all the fair had to offer including livestock, agriculture, crafts, music, rides, games, Michigan-made food and beverages, zany contests, and the Shrine Circus, a fair first.

Roberts attributes the fair’s success to the financial support of the event’s 20 sponsors and the promotional efforts of its agency partners, Axis Cross Media and Logos Communications.  “We couldn’t have revived this wonderful Michigan tradition without our army of sponsors and we’re extremely grateful for their support which enabled over 50,000 people to enjoy the state fair for the first time in three years,” said Roberts. “A lot of credit for generating such a large turnout also goes to our promotional partners who did an excellent job getting the word out that the state fair was returning.”

As the fair’s agency of record, AxisCrossMedia was responsible for all the fair’s branding, marketing, promotional and advertising efforts, as well the websites working. The agency, along with Monahan Media, worked closely with media partner Fox 2-Detroit to maximize exposure on the local network TV affiliate. Logos Communications handled all of the publicity initiatives, generating a number of newspaper, magazine, TV and radio news stories in advance of the four-day fair.

“Axis and Logos were instrumental in all of our efforts to re-instate the Fair,” said Linda Zabik, manager of public relations/community involvement for Genisys Credit Union and board member of the Great Lakes State Fair. “Their creativity and out-of-the-box thinking were a tremendous help in getting the word out in such a short period of time and with a minimal budget.”

Roberts is also excited about prospects for next year. “We’re confident that our sponsors will return next year to help us carry on the great state tradition that we resurrected this year,” Roberts continued. “With more months to plan, the fair should be even bigger and better next year.”