August 2023

The annual Alger County Fair ran from August 4-6 at the county fairgrounds in Chatham, with large crowds participating and visiting in various events during the weekend. Over 100 animals were involved in the livestock show, animal costume contest and horse speed events.

The annual firefighters competition was won by the hometown crowd, as the Rock River Township Volunteer Fire Department defeated Au Train Township and Munising Township for the title. Set up in a round robin, the RRVFD beat both townships to take the victory. All three departments celebrated the opportunity to compete on Sunday, Aug. 6 in front of the fair crowd.

The annual Chatham Homecoming Queen competition was Saturday, August 5 on the main stage at the Alger County Fair. Three girls competed for the title this year.

The annual Little Miss Pageant brought 37 competitors from around Alger County to the main stage of the fair on Friday, Aug. 4. Divided into four age-based divisions, the girls performed a group musical number before individual presentations.

This is a copy of the winning essay in the 2023 Grandparents of the Year contest, written by Ella Viau. My name is Ella Viau and this year, along with my siblings and cousins, we would like to nominate our Grandparents Betty and Cecil Martin.

Lindsey Slifka won the Alger County Fair’s 2023 Homemaker of the Year award. It was her first time winning the top accolade for exhibitors.

Cory Mallory won the photography of the year contest for the second year in a row with this stunning scene of a helicopter over the smoldering grounds of a forest fire with the sun setting in the background.