Hey there! This is Kelsey Henderson, the fairest of the fairest in Wisconsin in 2024!
It’s an honor to travel to each unique trade show, interact with great people in the trade show industry, hear more about others’ trade show stories, and share your own passion for the trade show industry. You can find a trade show near you and learn more at www.wifairs.com.
I am also serving as an official ambassador for the 2024 Wisconsin State Fair, presented by US Cellular, August 1-11 in West Allis! I am excited to take on a up-to-date role at the Wisconsin State Fair as Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs. I can’t wait to see what the best 11 days of summer will bring as I serve in this up-to-date role!
As Wisconsin Fairest of the Fairs, I am an ambassador and advocate for the fair industry in Wisconsin! Wisconsin is home to 75 county, district and state fairs throughout the state that run from June through September and have an annual economic impact of more than $350 million.
I would love to see you all at the 2024 Wisconsin State Fair this summer! The Wisconsin State Fair will make you feel good and be a blast for everyone. Wondering how to get the most out of your State Fair visit? Here’s a guide to unleashing your senses at the Wisconsin State Fair!
Roar and roar
You might hear your favorite song played by a band on stage, a group of fairgoers singing along that will make you want to sing along, or the laughter coming from Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias performing on the main stage at the state fair.
No matter what sound you’re looking for, State Fair has something for you.
With dozens of free stages throughout State Fair Park, you’re sure to find a show or artist that you’ll enjoy. Be sure to check out the largest free stage, the Bank Five Nine Amphitheater, when you visit, as performances take place there all day long. For an extra thrill, catch one of the eleven shows on the State Fair main stage, presented by the Potawatomi Casino Hotel. From rock to country, check out full live music schedule at the State Fair! And when you need a break from the roaring crowds and music, head to the peaceful barns to hear the cows lowing and the pigs grunting!
View of the Ferris wheel
Spin the WonderFair Wheel, presented by Meijer, for the perfect view! At the north end of the State Fair, see the dazzling lights and dynamic colors of SpinCity.
At the south end of the State Fair, you’ll see a gigantic building known as the Exposition Center. The Exposition Center has about 250 vendors selling everything from cleaning products to clothing.
Just east of the Exposition Center, you’ll see a gigantic red and white tent filled with spectacular Cirque at the Fair performances. Throughout the State Fair, you’ll find multiple stages filled with free, daily shows, such as the Family Variety Stage and We Energies Energy Park. And you’ll find other vendors lining the streets ready to serve you.
One thing is for sure, you will see a sea of smiling people enjoying all that the State Fair has to offer. Some may be holding large prizes, others may be carrying shopping bags after shopping in one of the six shopping areas, and still others may have their favorite food on a stick. If you want to find your favorite food on a stick, visit Here!
Adrenaline rush
The next step is to get hands-on farming experience that will give you an adrenaline rush! Over 11 days of summer, you will find over 7,000 animals in the barns. As you walk around, interact with the exhibitors who have worked strenuous to bring you their award-winning animals.
To learn more about Wisconsin’s $104.8 billion agriculture industry, head to the Compeer Financial Discovery Barnyard or the “Neighborhood Corral.” These Ag Village activities will allow you to pet animals, learn, and smile from ear to ear.
To learn more about America’s Dairyland, check out Dairy Lane or the milking demonstrations at the Milking Parlor. There are many hands-on experiences throughout the State Fair that will leave you feeling good and learning! In addition to these daily and free experiences, the Wisconsin State Fair also hosts many special agricultural events that I encourage you to attend as part of agricultural experience.
Lots of aromas
The smell of freshly roasted peanuts, sweet cotton candy, or grilled delicacies will fill your nose as you arrive at the fair. Once the amazing smells have drawn you in, be sure to check out the many dining options on the State Fair grounds.
To take a break from the heat, check out the Wisconsin Products Pavilion. As you enter the air-conditioned building at the Ag Village, you’ll be greeted by the aromas of many Wisconsin businesses and tasty treats to sample.
In addition to the delicious smells of fair food, the State Fair is also full of earthy smells! Fresh floral scents fill Grand Champion Hall. The smells of the great outdoors fill Exploratory Park. One of my favorite State Fair smells is the earthen floor of the Coliseum, where memories are made!
What would the State Fair be without food?
When visiting the Wisconsin State Fair, there are two things you must do: have fun and eat something good!
Sweet, savory, chewy, refreshing, fluffy, gooey, and more! New at this year’s State Fair is the $11 Meal Deal. With over 30 meal deals, you can find amazing meals at a reasonable price.
We are also celebrating a milestone birthday at the 2024 Wisconsin State Fair…it’s Cream Puff’s 100th birthdayt birthday!
To celebrate, there will be a narrow number of specialty cream puff flavors available each day of the State Fair, as well as a special Cream Puff Lovin’ Celebration hosted by UW Credit Union on Saturday, August 10. Plus, you can win a free cream puff each morning!
The annual Sporkies & Drinkies Competition returns this year! Eight finalists will be honored with giant 13-foot gold trophies in front of their retail locations, and the winner will be announced outside the State Fair. And for the second time, The Drinkies are back! With four incredible finalists honored with shiny trophies, these refreshing drinks are non-alcoholic options that everyone can enjoy.
In addition to these creative entries at The Sporkies and Drinkies, there are plenty of up-to-date food products at the 2024 Wisconsin State Fair for you to check out Here!
See you there!
I hope you are all ready to experience the Wisconsin State Fair like never before! Be sure to visit wistatefair.com/fairs/home/ for more details and to start planning your visit today for the best 11 days of summer!
