Since 1857 the Fair has been an important part the the state's history in addition to being one of the premier attractions of the summer and ranked as one of the top 50 fairs in the nation.  The historic grandstand has been been visited by Gabby Hayes, Les Paul, Buster Keaton, Sonny and Cher, Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw, Willie Nelson, Nelly, Chingy, and other legendary entertainers.

This organization is organized and shall be operated exclusively for charitable and educational purposes, and in furtherance to those purposes the organization shall be:  To promote and advance the interest of agriculture, horticulture, household arts and mechanic arts and sciences, and all kindred sciences and arts in their varied branches, to develop all forms of 4-H club work, through education, training and demonstrations of new skills, techniques and knowledge in the arts and sciences reated to the Youth program conducted in cooperation with and by the Cooperative Extension Service of the Michigan State University; to promote and conduct agricultural, industrial, educational and recreational fairs and exhibits, and to provide entertaiment and amusement therewith for the purposes of drawing the attention of the general public thereto, and to do and perform any and all acts authorized by law to be done and performed by a corporation organized under the laws above referred to.