You can feel it in the air, it’s almost time for the Wisconsin State Fair! Whether you’ve locked in your plans months ago or this is your first fair, we’ve gathered some ideas to help you find your summer love of fair.
Food plays a starring role at the fair. From the classic staples to the wonderfully creative culinary creations, you can’t leave the fair without checking at least one of these off your list.
Original Cream Puff
At the top of every Wisconsin State Fair must-do list, you’ll find the Original Cream Puff. A mountain of whipped cream, sandwiched by a light, fluffy pastry and dusted with powdered sugar is an essential fair treat and a staple of any trip to the fair.
Cheese Curds
The classic Wisconsin staple of golden-brown cheesy goodness fittingly has a strong presence at the fair. Stop by Leff’s Miller Lite Sports Bar & Grill and Brad & Harry’s Cheese Curds to savor the sumptuous golden nuggets. Or, make a day of it and try to taste them all.
Sporkies Nominees
Celebrating a decade of delicious dishes, the fair recognizes 8 vendors for their brilliant menu items, unusual pairings and downright brilliant culinary creations with the Sporkies. Each Sporky-nominated vendor can be spotted from a long way away by the 13-foot spork sculpture resting outside of their space.
Something on a Stick
It couldn’t be a state fair without seizing the opportunity to devour something on a stick, would it? In anticipation of the common urge to consume just about anything impaled by a wooden spindle, the state fair has amassed a list of foods on a stick.
Drink
Back to Top of ListFrom the daring drinks of The Drinkies Award-winners to a new brew, there’s a perfect beverage to pair with your fair bites for you. Find all your favorite drinks or discover something entirely new to create a match made in fair heaven.
Wisconsin State Fair Park Milk House
Break out your inner kid and try the innovative flavor combinations of fresh milk at the Wisconsin State Fair Park Milk House. With traditional favorites and unique flavors like root beer, the Milk House is a must-stop to get your calcium fix.
The Micro
Now, a little something for the adults. Visit The Micro for a beverage to balance your fair food. With more than 60 brews on tap, you can choose one of your favorites or venture out and try something new.
The Drinkies Nominees
New this year, The Drinkies Awards are a celebration of the deliciously daring, perfectly paired, non-alcoholic beverages around the grounds. Keep an eye out for the 13-foot Drinkies statues at each of the four finalists.
There’s so much to see at the Wisconsin State Fair! Whether you have your eye on the thrill of the one-and-only pig races or see one of this year’s mainstage headliners, we’re fair-ly certain you’ll have a squeal good time.
Pig Races
There is nothing quite like watching pigs race around a track for the grand prize of winning animal crackers. The adrenaline-inducing spectacle takes place in the Racing Pigs Arena six times daily. The stands do fill up fast, so be sure to get there early to get a good view.
Farm Animals
The whole reason the fair exists in the first place, wander the grounds and meet the many award-winning animals at designated barns and pavilions around the fair.
Main Stage Headliners
Head to the Main Stage to see a star-studded lineup of performances by artists like Shaggy, Salt-N-Pepa, Jeff Dunham, For King + Country and Kidz Bop Never Stop Live Tour.
Get your tickets today!
Joshing Around the Wisconsin State Fair
Not sure where to start? Get a taste of the Wisconsin State Fair with your two favorite Josh Albrechts as they chat with the Chief Marketing Officer of the fair, Jen Puente, about the new food offerings, attractions and fair fun at this year's Wisconsin State Fair!
See the fair from a whole new angle. Step up and win a prize. Feel the excitement of a match made in fair heaven, while enjoying the rides and games throughout the park.
Skyglider
See the fair in a whole new way, riding high above the festivities below on the SkyGlider. Use it to ride from one end to the other or take a tour of the whole grounds by going round-trip.
WonderFair Wheel
Take a spin on the spectacular glowing WonderFair Wheel. North America’s largest traveling Ferris wheel, enjoy the view from one of the 36 fully enclosed gondolas as you make your trip up 15 stories for some of the best sightlines of the entire fair.
Giant Slide
A true classic and State Fair institution for more than 50 years, the Giant Slide is fun for kids and adults alike. Experience the childlike wonder of zooming down the 200-ft. wavy yellow slide on a burlap sack.
SpinCity
A mainstay of any state fair, carnival rides and games are an absolute must. With fun for all ages, SpinCity features an adult area, with rides like the Tilt-A-Whirl and Wave Swinger as well as games like Skeeball and Ring-A-Bottle. Meanwhile, the kids' area offers rides with lower minimum heights like Winky the Whale and Puppy Express as well as games including Duck Pond and Water Race.
Shop
Back to Top of ListTake a moment to rove the vendors at the many markets and pavilions around the grounds. Stock up on local goods like ketchup and maple syrup, discover the perfect gift and maybe even a few mementos to remind you of your trip to the fair.
Wisconsin Products Pavilion
Explore the goods and wares of some of Wisconsin’s makers with everything from delicious must-try treats like kettle corn and pizza to maple syrup, ketchup and so, so much more all from local businesses.
Exposition Center
A great place to take a break and do a little shopping, the hundreds of vendors in the 200,000 sq. ft. air-conditioned Exposition Center sell just about anything you’re looking for, and more than a few things that you never even knew you needed.
Central Marketplace
This year, the Central Marketplace has a new look and feel, featuring primarily small businesses of vendors selling everything from Wisconsin-themed t-shirts to handmade jewelry near the Bank Five Nine Amphitheater.
