BERRIEN COUNTY, Mich. -- This fair has been around since 1945 making this their 80th year, and the fair continues through Aug. 16.
4-H is a big part of the fair and many members started their journey at a young age.
Lydia Stathakis, a 4-H Member says, “I’ve been showing horses since I was five, so 2012, I've been involved in 4-H since competing with my horse.”
For former member Nealie Andrews, her journey didn't stop when she aged out of the program. Andrews says, “I've been showing since I was a teenager, and I continue to have youth bring my horses here so they can continue to have the same experiences that I have.”
Many former members find ways to get back into the activities by volunteering.
Andrews said, “I mean, all of us that run the equine department, for the most part, are alumni, so we have to come back in order for the show to continue.”
While the fair has been around for a long time, food trailer owner Danielle Ryals is new to the game. Sally Sue's Cinnamon City has been common at the Berrien County Fair Grounds, but the new owner of Sally Sue's Cinnamon City explains, “This is my personal first time to Michigan. This is not this trailer's first time here actually, this is a Berrien Springs tradition. This trailer has been in this fair for a very long time so I'm glad to be carrying it on.”
Ryals purchased the trailer in October and has been travelling to many different fairs and events since.
The booth sells frozen drinks and many desserts, with their most common being their cinnamon rolls.
Ryals explains she loves the job so much that it makes it easy to look past the hardships that come with this career path.
Sally Sue's Cinnamon City sticks to mainly Midwest destinations, and Ryals' last stop of the season will be in October in Perry, Ga.
She explains that baking in a food trailer is a lot different than baking at home, but she enjoys navigating the process. Ryals explains, “There's been a lot of time, there's been a lot of effort, there's been a lot of blood, sweat, and tears and trial and error. That is for sure.”
To find more information on events coming up at the fairgrounds visit the Berrien County Youth Fair's website.