Local area

Started in 1852, the Barry County Fair moved from its location in downtown Hastings to our present site in 1990. With the advantage of more space and a lot of hard work by many volunteers, today's present 160 acre site boasts 6 barns, 3 outdoor arenas, a ½ mile racetrack, a 260 site campground with water/electric hook-ups; parking for up to 4,000 cars and the Expo Center with two Banquet Halls and a fully licensed kitchen.

The iTEC center features a 64 seat, classroom style lecture hall with stadium seating and a high-tech audio visual system with HD cameras, a 5-million BTU capacity “live-fire” training lab with 10 working stations for live demonstrations and hands-on learning experiences, an on-sight business center, a large conference room, and a full cafeteria and dining area.

This year's exhibit will feature 20 unique sculptures placed at locations of close proximity for walking throughout downtown Hastings or enjoying a short car cruise. The sculptures, procured by Midwest Sculpture Initiative (MSI), will be selected by an advisory committee of local residents, artists, art enthusiasts, and art instructors.

Truly Remarkable Experience in automotive history is waiting to be discovered—by you! The Gilmore Car Museum and its Historic Campus, hailed as one of the finest car museums in the nation, is home to over 300 extraordinary vehicles and seven independent auto museums, including the world's largest Model-A exhibit. Located midway between Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, Battle Creek, and Lansing, MI - just minutes from I-94 and US-131.

Gun Lake Casino is located off Exit 61 on U.S. 131, halfway between Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo. The casino features 1,500 slot machines, 28 table games, a food court, and a 225-seat café, along with bars, lounges, and live entertainment. Gun Lake Casino is owned by the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians and is operated by the Tribe's management partner, MPM Enterprises, LLC, owned by an affiliate of Station Casinos, Inc. and private investors from Mich

Historic Charlton Park began as one man's dream for preservation of the past. In 1936, Irving Delos Charlton donated 210 acres to Barry County for a museum and recreation facility for local residents. Historic Charlton Park is a non-profit institution. Their mission is to provide educational and recreational opportunities, through the collection, preservation and demonstration of early rural Michigan life, artifacts and buildings, and the maintenance of natural and recreation areas.

Otis Sanctuary is adjacent to the Globally Important Bird Area, Barry State Game Area, which recognizes critical habitat for Cerulean Warblers. The 128 acre bird sanctuary hosts rolling fields, mature forest, expansive marshland, a trout stream, kettle hole marshes, and several springs. Featured species: Pileated Woodpecker, Red-headed Woodpecker, Grasshopper Sparrow, Henslow's Sparrows, Warblers, Bald Eagle, Osprey, Sandhill Crane

The Paul Henry - Thornapple Trail, when complete, will be a 42 mile multi-use recreation trail, from Grand Rapids to Vermontville, Michigan. The trail is being constructed on or near a former railroad corridor. The route of this trail passes through farmlands, woodlands and small towns, along and over rivers and creeks. The scenic highlight of the trail is its close proximity to the Thornapple River. The trail is a four season adventure for the outdoor enthusiast, living healthy and having fun.

Set on 661 acres in Southwest Michigan, Pierce Cedar Creek Institute provides visitors with an exposure to a blend of diverse habitats including wetlands, forests, marshes, streams, lakes, and prairies. The Institute is open to the public, year-round, free of charge. Visitors may explore over seven miles of nature trails. The Institute, a mix between a nature center and biological field station, offers programs to serve the community and area colleges and universities.

Travel through the zoo on a safari ride or by foot! Make sure to check out the reptile exhibit, or the bird aviary before heading to the petting zoo. You can even feed the giraffes!