MichiganRadio

Michigan State Fair Prepares To Open For Possibly Final Time DETROIT, MI (Associated Press) -
Beef cattle, dairy cows, hogs and amusement rides will return this month to the state fairgrounds in Detroit possibly for the last time due to Michigan's depressed economy.

Fairground Authority board member E.J. Brown says what happens after the annual event shuts down Sept. 7 depends on whether state legislators or outside groups can find money to fund it.

The fair started in 1849. It's been at Eight Mile and Woodward since 1905.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm, faced with a $1.8 billion budget deficit, has proposed cutting all funding after Sept. 30. Eviction notices have been sent to tenants at the 164-acre site.

The state gave the fair a $360,000 subsidy to cover its 2008 losses. Attendance also has been down in recent years. © Copyright 2012, Associated Press