By AARON MUELLER

Dowagiac Daily News

The Berrien County Youth Fair has drawn an average of more than 120,000 people in recent years, and the fair board is hoping to beat that number at this year’s event, which takes place next Monday through Saturday at the fairgrounds, 9122 Old U.S. 31 in Berrien Springs.

Karen Klug, the manager of the Berrien County Youth Fair, said attendance has been up in recent years, possibly due to the struggling Michigan economy.

“I think over the last couple years, people don’t have that extra money, so they are taking advantage of local events,” she said.

But the fair isn’t completely immune to the sour economy. The state cut its premium grant this year, and the fair depended on a benefit fish fry and community donations of food and supplies to make this year’s fair possible.

“We want to thank all the people and businesses that have stepped forward to assist in raising funds for exhibitor premiums,” fair board president Bruce Foster said in a recent press release.

More than 1,000 volunteers in 70 different committees help make this year’s fair possible.