Two hidden gems in Esky

During the U.P. State Fair, I discovered two hidden gems in Escanaba. The first, the Antique Village and Agricultural Museum,  is located on the U.P. State Fairgrounds on US 2 in Escanaba. I’ve driven past at least a hundred times and didn’t even know that it existed. It’s tucked back in the western corner of the fairgrounds. If fair-goers are so distracted by the rides, carnival games and food, they might miss it. This little-known attraction is operated by the U.P. Steam and Gas Engine Association. 

The Agricultural Museum houses a collection of artifacts and antique equipment of Escanaba’s farming heritage. This includes a rare side-shaft 15 HP Badger Engine. There is no admission fee, although a freewill donation is appreciated. The Museum is open Tuesdays and Thursdays May 15- September 15 and by appointment. Group tours are available.

The Antique Village is very quaint and serves as an oasis of sorts from the cacophony of funnel cakes, oversized stuffed animals and Ferris wheels just a few yards away. Here, local artisans demonstrate traditional handicrafts such as candle making, carving, pottery, spinning and weaving. It also features a 80-ton diesel engine, a working steam-powered  sawmills, blacksmith shop, miniature train depot, granary, barbershop, cook shack, ice cream parlor, and my favorite, a general store.

The general store is run by a very friendly lady who took the time to show me and my husband some of the antiques on-hand that were not for sale, such as an old-time egg incubator now used as a shelving unit. They also had old-fashioned candies, baked goods, metal signs, kitchen gadgets and gifts made of wood.  I was able to purchase some 1980s “Best of the Fair” cookbooks for only a dollar for two.  

The day I visited my time was very limited but I was also very intrigued by the Cook Shack. It was serving Wild Rice soup, a far cry from the greasy, not so healthy food so readily available elsewhere at the Fairgrounds.

The Village is open during Fair week (the third week in August), during the U.P. Steam and Gas Engine Association’s annual show (every Labor Day weekend) and during the first weekend in December for their Christmas in the Village event.

Still looking to do something over Labor Day weekend in Esky? Check out the U.P. Steam and Gas Engine’s Association Annual Show. It features a flea market, a knife/gun show, and over 100 exhibitors displaying a wide variety of equipment.

For more information, click here. (www.upsteamandgasengine.org)

The second hidden gem at the Fairgrounds is the DNR’s Pocket Park. This is located on the Eastern side of the Fairgrounds near the Textiles building. It has been around since 2005 and features a fishing pond (shaped like the U.P.), set up with fishing poles for the kids; a replica lighthouse; an archery range and a pellet gun range. It also has displays about native plants and information about Michigan wildlife.  It is absolutely FREE (except for the price of bait if you choose to fish). The Pocket Park is open throughout the summer, from Memorial Day to Labor Day so there is still a bit of time to try your hand at catching a fish or hitting a bull’s eye.