KEY Milwaukee - Feature Story

Wisconsin State Fair offers 30 free stages,
new attractions and long-time favorites

THE WISCONSIN STATE FAIR, Aug. 3-13, offers 11 days of fun on close to 200 acres of non-stop activity. Nearly one million people will flock to the fairgrounds, centrally located off I-94 west and only 90 miles from Chicago.

Variety spices up the lineup at the Miller Lite Main Stage. For the range of ticket options and the headliner schedule, see the KEY Arts & Entertainment listings.

The fair also offers 30 free stages of daily entertainment, including comedy acts, magic shows, and hilarious contests such as the Hog-Calling Competition and Cousin’s Subs Moo-la-palooza mooing contest. Street performers stroll the park and join the daily parade, which starts up each day at 3 p.m. with horses, bands, cars and tractors.

Wisconsin’s circus history comes alive as the Circus World Museum, located in Baraboo, Wis., produces the “Circus Celebration–“East Meets West,” presented by Toyota. Explore three acres of sensational shows, astounding activities and exciting exhibits. “KidsWorld Circus” presented by Guaranty Bank leads children through the process of inventing the acts for their own circus performances, with hilarious results. Ornate, and-carved circus wagons, traditional “big top” tent, calliope and international circus performances round out the experience. Circus Celebration hosts six free performances at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30, 2:30, 4:30, 6:30 and 8:30 p.m.

The new Charcoal Grill Big Backyard offers a Kiddie Adventure Area complete with Build-A-Bear Workshop, Music on the Move Plus Fun Zone, Alliant Energy Family Variety Stage, GT Airshow Bicycle Stunt Show and the BMX Park. Traditional fair musts include the Sky Glider, giant slide and the Midway.

The fair’s famous Saz’s and Old Wisconsin Racing Pigs compete five times a day. In the air-conditioned 2000,000 square-foot Expo Center, shop-a-holics can browse through more than 400 vendors. Potawatomi Bingo Casino conducts sessions near the south end of the Expo and visitors exercise at the Expo Energy Zone by climbing the rock wall.

At the Pettit National Ice Center’s Cool Zone there are hot activities on the ice. Skate, meet U.S. Olympians or test our skill at cream puff curling.

Speaking of cream puffs–what would the Wisconsin State Fair be without the state’s favorite treat? Other favorites include roasted corn, baked potatoes, pork chop sandwiches or 40 foods-on-a-stick.

Another fair favorite is visiting the fair’s animals. A state-of-the-art, double-deck Livestock Barn is home to the horses, the Foremost Farms USA contemporary milking parlor and the Budweiser Clydesdales. Stop by the Coliseum for continual livestock judging.

New this year is the “Cash and Cabin” Giveaway, with a grand prize of a cozy cabin plus $30,000 cash, or $50,000 cash. For more info, visit www.wistatefair.com or visit the fair’s box office during regular hours. Proceeds benefit the Spinal Cord Injury Center at Milwaukee’s Froedtert Hospital.

General admission is $8 for adults, $3 for youth (ages 7-11), $6 for those with disabilities and seniors (60 and older), and free for children 6 and under. For information, phone 800-884-FAIR or visit www.wistatefair.com.

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