A treasured community landmark on the Ionia Free Fair grounds needs expensive renovations, and a local woman has stepped up to lead efforts to raise the necessary funds.
Ionia Free Fair

Ionia City Council extends Free Fair lease
With $100,000 hanging in the balance, the Ionia City Council unanimously approved a second amendment to the lease agreement between the city and the Ionia Free Fair Association.
City Manager Precia Garland told council members at their meeting last Monday that the IFF Association Board plans to apply once again to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) for a grant. However, to be eligible, the board must show it will have control of the property for at least five years following the date of the grant award.

2021 Ionia Free Fair turnout ‘phenomenal’
The Ionia Free Fair made a huge comeback July 16-24, one year after the coronavirus pandemic caused its cancellation for the first time since World War II.
“The 10 best days of summer” were technically nine and still “a tremendous economic success,” Ionia Mayor Dan Balice told members of City Council at their business meeting last Tuesday.
JUST IN: COVID-19 cases connected with Ionia Free Fair
FREEThe Ionia County Health Department is conducting an investigation of cases of COVID-19 illness associated with the Ionia Free Fair, which was held July 16-24.
At least 10 cases of COVID-19 have been associated with this year’s attendees, including individuals who were at the festival while they were symptomatic and infectious, according to Ionia County Health Officer Ken Bowen.

Ionia Free Fair livestock auction raises $424,000-plus
A combination of having a few years experience and the right animal made it a bit harder for 9-year-old Nathan Kennedy to step into center stage with his boar Rusty.
The stage was a sandy floor of an arena, surrounded by bleachers of potential buyers at Thursday’s Ionia Free Fair Youth Livestock Auction.

Community partners bring Kids Day to Ionia Free Fair on Tuesday
One of the most popular events at the Ionia Free Fair each year is a day just for kids, and this year’s Kids Day bound to go down in fair history as one of the best.
Kids’ Day is scheduled for 1 to 4 p.m. on Tuesday at the fair’s E! Park. As in the past, the event will finish with a raffle for free bikes.