I was encouraged and excited after seeing the Great Lakes State Fair over Labor Day weekend. Old was new again as I entered the exhibit hall and scanned the aisles of livestock. Familiar face after face peeked through the gates and over the cattle.

As much fun as I had visiting with old friends and seeing the new surroundings, I have to say I was most impressed with the enthusiasm and support of the venture from agriculturalists and spectators alike – who, as  dirty-faced kids, enjoyed a day or two each summer at the corner of Woodward and Eight Mile.

To kick off the event, a special reception was held where a steady stream of dignitaries shuffled across the stage. They gave their two cents’ worth of congratulations and thanks to the crew of diehard fair fanatics who saw a vision, sat through meetings and stayed the course to make sure a Michigan tradition was brought back to life.

They gave out plaques, presented bouquets of flowers and cut ribbons signifying the beginning of a new tradition. As the sun set on this celebratory gathering, there was one man who stuck out in my mind: Blair Bowman.

He was enthusiastic, polished and professional. His hands didn’t look like they’ve ever touched manure, turned a wrench or greased a zerk.

He had a zeal for the state fair as if it had changed the course of his life and he wanted everyone else to have that experience, too.

Blair is the owner of the Suburban Collection Showplace, the venue of the Great Lakes State Fair, and when things weren’t coming together as the ground level group had hoped, he reached out and offered his facility at no cost.

When I heard this, I was amazed at the generosity of a single individual who appeared to have never turned a furrow. Sure, this would have an economic impact on the community, but it was more than dollars and cents at work here. There was a mutual passion for an event that would educate and entertain the masses.

It seemed Bowman, a graduate of Michigan State University and a business owner, a man who crunches numbers for a living, saw the big picture. He could see the need for agriculture to come to town and for consumers to know that their milk comes from a cow, not a convenience store.

He knew when you combine a Ferris wheel, hot French fries and hogs, you have the melding of so many facets of life that can only be found where city meets country – and separated lives intertwine for a brief moment to make a lifetime of memories.

While Bowman extended his financial backing, resources, business connections and helping hand to showcase the second-largest industry in the state, just 60 miles west, a purebred herd of Polled Herefords are being prepared to be sold at auction Oct. 15 – which will mark the end of an era of a purebred beef cattle powerhouse at MSU.

There’s something not quite right with this picture.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Melissa Hart may write to her in care of this publication.