The Wisconsin State Fair is an annual event held at the Wisconsin State Fair Park in West Allis, Wisconsin, a suburb of Milwaukee. The modern fair takes place in August (occasionally beginning late July) and lasts 11 days.

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History

The first Wisconsin State Fair was held in 1851 in Janesville, with approximately 8,000 to 12,000 people in attendance. ^[1]

The fair migrated to different towns before finding its permanent home in West Allis in 1892.

According to state fair officials, 860,078 people attended the 2005 event.

The 2008 fair will be held from July 31 to August 10 2008.

Events and entertainment

Yearly features at the fair include a wide variety of vendors, many local and national bands, the Kids From Wisconsin, and a large assortment of food and drink, including cream puffs, which are one of the fair's main draws. Murphy Brothers Exposition also provides a large midway, featuring carnival rides such as Rainbow Valley's Freak Out, Spin Out, Super Loops, Kamikaze, Double Shock, Yo-Yo, Sizzler, and many more.

The Grandstand Main Stage features a different headline performance every evening of the fair. Many local bands can also be seen on smaller stages and pavilions located throughout the grounds.

Agricultural exhibits of horses, cattle, sheep, chickens, and other animals are featured every year at the fair. 2004 saw the introduction of the Birthing Barn, in which fairgoers can witness the birth of farm animals.

Fairgoer demographics

• Average age of a fairgoer: 39
• 42% of children are ages 11-15
• 88% of fairgoers reside in Wisconsin – half of them live in metropolitan Milwaukee
• Average visits to the fair: 2 times
• Average hours spent at the fair: 6 hours

Notable attendance records

• Total attendance record: 938,658 in 1990
• Opening-day record: 70,043 in 2004

See also

• Northern Wisconsin State Fair
• Central Wisconsin State Fair

References

1. History