Update: St. Mary's Fair Reopens After Storms Pass Through

For the first time in its 40-year history, the Orchard Lake St. Mary's Polish Country Fair closed after the National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning for Oakland County around 5:45 p.m. Sunday.

St. Mary's Prep headmaster Jim Glowacki estimated that the Oakland County Sheriff's Department and the Orchard Lake Police Department evacuated about 10,000 people safely before the storm passed through and the fair re-opened at about 6:45 p.m.

All of the rides opened up and the band played on, despite the sparse crowds who returned as the rain came pouring down. Jessica Hernandez and The Deltas, a gothic/soul/jazz outfit from Detroit, opened up the still-gathering crowd around 6:50. "Are you guys tired from the rain?" asked Hernandez in-between songs.

"It's too bad that it happened, but we're happy everyone was safe," said Glowacki, who added that there were "probably 20,000" people at the festival at the midday point Sunday.

"We advised everyone to seek shelter and we evacuated about 5,000 into the ice arena here," Oakland County Sheriff's Department Lt. Chris Wunderach said. "When inside, we made sure everyone was away from windows and we checked all the tents for people. A few tents blew down, but that was it. Everyone else left in their vehicles and we didn't hear of any accidents reported, so we're happy."

The Orchard Lake Police Department reported one arrest so far during the weekend, a disorderly conduct citation Saturday night. No incidents of violence were reported, they said.

Patrons of the fair seemed just as happy with the result. Jenny Locke and her three children came from Detroit for the first time this year to explore the fair. Although Locke said she dodged more puddles than she would have liked, she was impressed with the execution of the evacuation.

"We got here literally 10 minutes before it happened, and our kids were on the ferris wheel when we were told to get off and find shelter," she said. "It ended up being OK, because it was hot outside but cool inside. My daughter was a bit scared, but now that we're back out here on the rides, everyone is happy."

The ferris wheel was the first ride to close, according to North American Midway Entertainment CEO Danny Huston, due to visible lightning, winds at speeds over 35 miles per hour and hard rain. Huston said it was the first time rides had been shut down at the fair this year and although it was unlikely that they would be shut down for the rest of the night, every ride was back open after the closure.

"It's no big deal, I've been through worse," said Juan Medina of Pontiac, who left the grounds on foot and came back after the fair was re-opened.

A flood watch remains in effect until 2 a.m. Monday. However, things are expected to clear up with sun and a high near 89.

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