In the "thumb" of Michigan lies Tuscola County near Lake Huron. After the decline of the lumbering business in the 19th century, farmers discovered the region to be good for growing sugar beets. The Michigan Sugar Company is the third largest producer of sugar in the United States. The county seat of Caro with a population of about 4,000, is the major center of commerce in the county and is just 45 minutes from Saginaw.
In September 1882, Tuscola County held its first "Agricultural, Industrial, and Recreation Exhibit"-- the county fair. The annual event has grown and includes carnival rides, farm equipment, horse shows, livestock sales, merchant's booths and special shows. Past entertainers include cowboy crooner Gene Autry, the Cisco Kid, Minnie Pearl and the Duke Ellington Band. Located in central Caro, the fair grounds are open year round for exhibits, harness racing, antique farm equipment shows and community events.
Pumpkins are the focal-point of the Caro Pumpkin Fest held since 1981 on the first full weekend in October. Students receive pumpkins to decorate for a chance to win prizes in five categories. Community activities such as tail-gate parties, historical dragster and funny-car shows, fine arts exhibits, a pumpkin bake-off competition and pumpkin derbies are scheduled. More than 4,000 pumpkin pies are baked as a major fund-raiser for the festival.
Carriage rides, cookies with Santa, a community Christmas concert and a gingerbread house competition are some of the holiday events at Caro's Gingerbread Village. A Taste of Caro allows cooks a chance to showcase their culinary skills, and an open-house of downtown stores gives shoppers special bargains. Children may attend a free movie matinee at the Strand Theatre and create a make-and-take-it craft. A Holiday Home tour showcases some of Caro's finest homes decorated for the season.
Celebrate winter at the Caro 150 Winter Fest and Snowmobile Races. The competition snowmobiles line the city streets while magicians and musicians, ice carvers and horse-drawn carriages provide entertainment. Shops and restaurants offer special deals and the Tuscola County Fairgrounds are open for additional Winter Fest activities. There, guests enjoy the warmth of a tent filled with entertainment, food, opportunities to win prizes. There are also fireworks in the evening. The snowmobile race is held at the fairgrounds with runs for junior to professional racers.
