Update: St. Mary's Fair Attracts Folks from Throughout Metro Detroit

Families and organizers alike were pleased to be greeted by horses at the opening of the on Friday, despite temperatures in the low 50s and a steady drizzle throughout the night.

The downpour continued through Saturday as the Orchard Lake Police Department reported just one citation issued and fun continued in a safe environment.

Oakland County Sheriff’s Department reserves, including the Mounted Division on horseback, were used as backup with the Orchard Lake Police Department for the first time to increase security for the 40th annual fundraiser at Orchard Lake St. Mary's Prep campus.

"They came to us with a strategic plan to secure the perimeter that was just phenomenal, and their professionalism blows us away," said Orchard Lake St. Pamry's Headmaster Jim Glowacki Friday. "Security is always our No. 1 concern here, and we're just excited to be able to offer our way of welcoming in summer."

With the loss of the Michigan State Fair two years ago, the St. Mary’s Polish Country Fair has become the biggest fair in Michigan and the largest high school fair in the nation. Last year, the Polish Country Fair attracted more than 100,000 people from throughout southeast Michigan.

Glowacki said the revenue goes toward private education.

"We've got it down to a science that every hour a parent is working here generates $50 in revenue," said Glowacki, whose volunteers are expected to work 8,000 hours this weekend through Monday.

“It’s a great family event that is also a wonderful learning experience for our young men,” said fair co-chairwoman Diane Posa Friday, whose son is a ninth-grader at St. Mary’s Prep and worked as a volunteer.

Fair hours through the weekend are 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Sunday and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday. The Las Vegas tent has special hours: 5 p.m.-1 a.m. Sunday and 3-8 p.m. Monday. Entrance to the fair is free, and parking costs $10.