By SHELLY STRAUTZ-SPRINGBORN
Michigan Correspondent

FOWLERVILLE, Mich. — Celebrating the history and versatility of soybeans is the focus of the first annual Michigan Soybean Festival on Sept. 10-11 at the Fowlerville Family Fairgrounds.

Sponsored by the Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee, the event will run from 10 a.m.-11 p.m. on Sept. 10 and from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Sept. 11. It will feature a variety of hands-on exhibits, and soy biobased products will be available to purchase.

Several activities are planned for both days including soybean educational exhibits, an antique tractor show, antique tractor pulls, the Livingston A’s swap meet, a quilt raffle, self-guided tours of the Livingston Centre Historical Village, meet a farmer and farm story time, beginning of life exhibit, guess the beans game, craft vendors, soy-related vendors, a soy store, music and mini horse-drawn rides. Cow pie bingo will be at 1, 3 and 5 p.m. both days.

The Michigan Soybean Queen and King contest will begin at 3 p.m. Sept. 10. The Modern Day Drifters band will perform from 7-10 p.m. that evening, and an adult beverage garden will be open from 6-11 p.m.

On Sept. 11, weigh-in for the garden tractor pull will get under way at 9 a.m. and the pull will start at noon. Registration for the corn hole beanbag contest will start at 10:30 a.m. and the tournament will begin at 11:30 a.m. The cost is $35 per team.

The gate entry fee for the festival is $3 per person, but children younger than 12 enter for free. Children can enjoy inflatable fun all day for $7 each.
The Fowlerville Family Fairgrounds is located at 8800 W. Grand River in Fowlerville. For more information, visit www.fowlervillefamilyfair.com or view the Michigan Soybean Festival page on Facebook, or call 517-223-8186.