Fowlerville's long-running fair and Charlie Gehringer

Fowlerville’s fair has a long history, but the dates need a little care. The fair’s About page says the Fowlerville Agricultural Society was established in 1886. That is the society’s founding date, not a clear statement that the first fair happened that same year. The organizer’s current site calls the July 27-August 1, 2026 event the 140th Fowlerville Family Fair. That tells the story better than trying to rank it against every other fair in Michigan: a local agricultural society founded in 1886 is still putting on the event.

The Livingston Centre Historical Village sits on the fairgrounds, too. Its history says the first building was moved there in 1989 and the collection now includes eight historic buildings from around Livingston County. Tour access can change, so check the village and fair calendars before planning a visit.

The other Fowlerville story belongs to Charlie Gehringer. The local historical society says he was born on a farm in Iosco Township, moved with his family to another farm south of Fowlerville, played baseball at Fowlerville High, and graduated in 1922. He spent his full 19-year major-league career with the Detroit Tigers, from 1924 through 1942. The steady second baseman became known as “the Mechanical Man,” helped Detroit win the 1935 World Series, won the American League MVP award in 1937, and entered the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1949.