Ionia Fair Research Paper

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The Ionia free fair is a great attraction for not only Michiganders but people all over the US. With many attractions, food vendors, and famous appearances the Ionia Free Fair is one of the best sources for summer fun in Mid-Michigan. However the fair grounds weren't always fairgrounds. In fact before Ionia was even formed there were quite a few Native American clans around that area. The O--wash-to-nong, Quab-i-quash-sha, Cob-moos-a, Mish-i-min-econ, and The Pish-im-ne-con were major Indian groups in the mid-Michigan area. “The native population at the local settlement was estimated at 50 in 1830, and many other seasonal encampments dotted the area. This was no wilderness to the natives - this was part of a prosperous community all along …show more content…

Many come to the fair to look back at all of the historical items they've kept throughout the years since it opened. quoted from the fair website “The Antique Village offers a piece of history to our event and is displayed in our Floral Building located on the river at the south end of the fairgrounds. On the other end of the fairgrounds we have our Marketplace where vendors from all over the country set up to sell just about anything you could need, from fudge and jewelry to purses and mattresses!” There are two main buildings throughout the fair besides the grandstand. one building being the shop area where various clerks sell their goods, and the other being the historical area. The Ionia Free Fair has many pieces of its history kept where they originated from, on the fairgrounds. Various other antiques from the fairs timeline were collected and brought in also. This collection of history not only reminds some of what they’ve lived through, but teaches children the history of past lives. Every important item in the fairs antique area is labeled with what the item is, how it works, and when it came from. “It started back in 1960. My grandpa used to bring down some of his equipment from Portland, he owned a tractor dealership over there. My dad used to help with the tractor pulls and the grandstand.”, said Dana Hengesbach, a member of the Fair court, when asked how long her family had been going to the

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