by T.J. Burkett, Executive Editor, Hoof Beats

2011 USTA Blue Ribbon Fair – Fowlerville, Michigan from USTA on Vimeo.

Columbus, OH — The Fowlerville Fair, located in Fowlerville, Mich., has been named the winner of the 2011 USTA Blue Ribbon Fair Award.

Located 60 miles northwest of Detroit, the Fowlerville Fair is being recognized for its dedication to promoting harness racing during its meet, using funds distributed through the USTA Matching Funds Grant program. Led by fair board member Claudia Cary-Davidson, the fair spent some $2,500 on such promotional items and prizes as newspaper advertisements, a freeway billboard, diner placemats, T-shirts, various signs around the community, fuel card giveaways and a “bouncy pony” race.

“The Fowlerville Horsemen’s committee work hard and are honored to receive this award,” Cary-Davidson said. “This is a huge accomplishment for our racing industry in Michigan, our Fowlerville community and fair.”

Racing two days in 2010 (July 20 and Sept. 1), the Fowlerville Fair packed a year’s worth of promotions into their racing programs, including jog cart rides, starting gate rides, driver autograph sessions and a program cover coloring contest for children.

The 2011 Fowlerville Fair, its 125th anniversary, will be held July 25-30, with a day of racing to be determined. A USTA representative will present an award plaque during this year’s race card, and a feature story about the fair will appear in the July 2011 issue of Hoof Beats.

Started in 2006, the Matching Funds Grant Program, administered by the USTA, awards $10,000 per year to individual county fairs, horsemen’s associations and colt circuits to support a marketing program to promote harness racing on the county fair level.

The USTA is looking for originality, feasibility and creativity when reviewing the applicant’s marketing plan. Counties may combine to acquire resources, such as displays or equipment that would not be feasible to purchase or develop on an individual county basis. For multiple county and/or circuit applications, one group must be identified as the “Lead Group” for administration of funds and reporting.

Applications for the 2011 season are due April 15, with the grant recipients to be announced May 13. The fair with the most creative and well-executed use of grant money will be named the 2012 Blue Ribbon Fair Award winner.

For more information on the USTA Matching Funds program, click here.