I haven't been to a lot of state fairs (California, Idaho, and now Wisconsin) but the Wisconsin State Fair is hands down my favorite. There's all the usual fair features: farm animals, carnival games, rides, exhibitions, and, of course, all the decadent fair food! Getting cream puffs is of course an absolute must but exploring the many food options is a delight as well. Every year they have a food contest called the Sporkies and a drink contest called the Drinkies that help guide you to the best bites and sips for that year. They have a SkyGlider that goes from one end of the fairgrounds to the other. You can take it as a sort of low key transportation from one end to the other or round trip to enjoy the views. We like to take it at the beginning to scope out what we want to check out. They have bars and full blown restaurants (not something the Idaho State Fair has!) which also offers a little reprieve from all the walking. And, of course there's live music as well. Add all that goodness to the fact that it's usually not 100+ degrees like it often is at the Idaho State Fair and the California State Fair and you have yourself an amazing fair experience. Get to it! read more

Salto Gymnastics hosted their 2026 meet at the Fairgrounds as they do every year. Huge facility and perfect for a gymnastics meet. They split the area to have two meets at one time. Great use of space. Parking is relatively close and easy to get in and out. Paying is kind of a long process as it doesn't go very fast. They had a raffle as well. I won one. Woot woot. All around great event! read more

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Date of visit: August 4, 2025 My family has a long history of visiting the Fair and this year was no different. We have our standbys: - Brad & Harry's Cheese Curds: THE best cheese curds at the fair, this is not a discussion - Cookie Dough on a Stick: The quality has been deteriorating over the last several years, and the price keeps going up. This will be the last time I get this. Time for a new dessert tradition! - Racing Pigs: Always a favorite; short and sweet racing bacon. - Dock Diving Dogs. We had to stand this time and that was a bit of a different experience, though it did allow for some great pictures. - Wisconsin Products Pavilion. We saw someone trying the Blueberry Breakfast Brat and they gave it the thumbs up. Plus you can get great maple products here, including barbecue sauce. - Expo Hall. A great combination of interesting things and in-person Temu. Buyer beware, but also Buyer Bewildered sometimes! Some new experiences: - Dubai Chocolate Strawberry Smoothie. Definitely strawberry. Dubai chocolate? Not so much. - Giant pretzel in the Products Pavilion. The giant pretzel was fantastic! - Horse Drill teams. Some very talented young ladies with choreographed routines! The worst part? The parking. Interstate completely and utterly phoned it in. These kids had no idea what they were doing and it showed. I thought trying to park was bad, when I heard how they screwed people over when the flooding happened, I was not surprised. read more

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Wisconsin state fair is my foodie dreams. We mapped out all the places we wanted to try food. Two sporkies winners spoke to us- the Ube Butter Banana French from Toast Lumpia (5/10) honestly we didn't like it! I was so sad about that. But the Gochujang Smash Burger from blue moon tavern..... (10/10) that was phenomenal! Grounds are always cleaned, safe( thanks to our lovely law enforcement officers) and good vibes all around. read more

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Such a fun fair! There were multiple stages with live music plus entertainment like dog agility courses, cow presentations going on throughout the day, kid concerts, and more. There were a lot of rides as well. I especially enjoyed seeing the arts and crafts room and seeing the local talent! I liked seeing the bonsai trees, crocheting, crafted foods (like decorative cakes), and the photography. You could also see every past years fair winner for the WI State Fair poster contest. If you look at the schedule you might even make it to a free craft like a floral fan making activity :) There were many food options. The food was pricey and was just ehhhhhh in my opinion. I did enjoy trying the apple cider donuts in the WI section. That area seemed to have the best food in my opinion. I'd skip the other food. Overall, great way to spend a day. We were busy seeing different shows, music, and viewing all the neat things throughout the day. read more

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We enjoyed our long day at State Fair this year. It's exactly as you remember - plenty of animals, good people watching and overpriced food/drink. I will admit that they have some "deals" leading up on ticket prices but we weren't sure if we were going until a few days out. Next year, we plan on participating in a deal because a ticket is $20/pp at the door. Yikes. We got some fun freebies while inside (Idahoan mashed potatoes, Zoa energy drinks, Potawatomi swag). They also had $11 Meal Deals this year which helped save a few bucks if you wanted what was offered. Really loved the free circus show this year, too. Quick show that kept things moving, while offering a nice break from walking. Loved the giant slide ($4 cash/pp) and great live music throughout. All in all, I'd say we got the most bang for our buck but definitely pay attention for deals beforehand to help save a bit more. Enjoyed Mille's Italian sausage and Brad & Harry's cheese curds (cash only). The Cattleman's burger was just okay and they stopped offering the condiment bar with pickles and onions. Beware - the beer vendors have different prices throughout. You may want to shop around! read more

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Couldn't have asked for a better opening day at the 2025 Wisconsin State Fair! I tasted six of the fair's new items this year, and none of them were disappointing. All prices shown below are pre-tax. I can't wait to try more stuff next week! Deep-Fried Tequila Donut Bites (Gooonie's Fish & Beer Shack, $9): 5/10. They're not bad by any means. They don't actually have tequila in them. The sugar rim was a great addition to the item, and the donuts have a VERY strong lime taste. I'm not personally a lime fan, so that's why it ranks low for me. They are still worth the taste test though, and the lime packs less of a punch after the first bite. Citrus Slide (Old Fashioned Sipper Club, $12): 7/10. It was super refreshing, but it had a bite with the cayenne flakes in it. Again, it had a distinct lime flavor, but it wasn't as strong. Still a great drink and worth the price. Pineapple Sunrise (Lakefront Biergarten, $6): 9/10. WOW! This is arguable the best priced drink at the fair. It's a super refreshing mocktail. For $6, we got a drink the same size as all of the others we tried. I would 100% get this again. I recommend stirring it to get all of the flavors incorporated! S'mores Churro Fries (Saz's BBQ, $12): 8/10. I was shocked that these didn't make the top three for the Sporkies, but they are still well-worthy of their Finalist title. My only complaint is that they needed more toppings or dipping cups for additional chocolate & marshmallow sauce. Stallis Slush (Knucklehead, $10 NA): 10/10. THIS IS A MUST TRY! The fruitiness and frozen blend was stellar. You can also transform this from non-alcoholic to alcoholic for a couple dollar upcharge. I'd be interested to see how much of a punch it packs with the taste of alcohol! Game Day Pizza Egg Roll (Badger Bites, $11): 8/10. What a good savory snack option! You get two egg rolls per order, each topped with garlic and parmesan. These are basically a pizza mozzerella stick served with marinara, and I'm not mad about it! It's a great item to split with friends. read more

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8/9/25 update: This year was way better than last year. We came earlier and got off at the exit before the one closest to the fair. This exit was smooth and I found parking at someone's house for $10. If you know it's going to rain, I would not recommend parking at that race track. The vendors were basically in the same spots as the previous years. Prices are about the same and some of the foods felt overpriced. I know they're all overpriced but some of the foods would be large portions. This is what I got this year. -alligator mac and cheese sundae 3 - mac and cheese was decent but it could have used a lot more gator the price. -chocolate cherry milk 5 - tastes just like chocolate cherry. I heard the French toast was not very good. -gochujang smash burger 5 - that kimchi bacon jam gave the burger a more savory taste. The Smash burger itself was very juicy. -purple rain refresher 5 - if you like grapes, you'll like this. -Mexican street corn pizza 1 - I love pizza but this was such a letdown. The crust was too doughy, floppy undercarriage, and the main part was just tasteless. -s'mores churro fries 3 - not too sweet but very shareable. I thought it was just okay. -carnival cooler 5 - very refreshing. It's good if you like the taste of pickles. It also has watermelon and lemonade. -ube butter banana French toast lumpia 5 - one of my favorite things that I ate. Not too sweet. It was perfectly balanced. The lumpia shell was crispy. God blend of bananas, French toast, and ube butter. -pretzaroni pizza brat 3 - I felt like the execution could have been better. The brat and the pretzel should have been able to be bitten in one bite. The skin on the brat was too chewy, too much of a stretch. -Wisconsin old fashioned wings 5 - very succulent wings. The sauce was on the sweeter side. -Orange you the sweetest 5 - tastes just like an orange creamsicle. -roasted corn 5 - very buttery and tasty -strawberry cream puff 5 - it came with sprinkles but I didn't need it. It's almost as good as the original. read more

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I always have the best experience at the state fair. I went as a child and have now started to go as an adult for a few years now and it's wonderful. There is something for everyone - food, crafts, carnival rides, live music, livestock, and beautiful dahlias. This year's opening day had perfect weather and lots of great gluten free food! Here are some places and food I tried: Key's: The deep fried oreos were fantastic, wish they had some sort of raspberry dipping sauce though. One order came with at least 6 Oreos. Non-gluten free husband loved them too. The mozzarella sticks were good! Wisconsin Cherry Growers: Not advertised on the state fair's site as gluten free is Wisconsin Cherry Grower's cherry macaron it's double the size of regular ones. They are heavenly. I think I bought 4 a few years back and regretted not buying more. They also have a cherry macaroon (coconut) that's gluten free that I did not try. Olympia Granola: all of their granola is gluten free. Their bars are great. My sister bought 8 of them. We split the granola bar ice cream sandwich trio. It was very good. Loved the vanilla cream filling. Large enough to share. Fresh Cut Fries: 4 of us split the Dill Pickle Poutine. It was also pretty large but should be for $16. Good flavors. Fries were a bit too salty for me, but it did not stop me from eating them. Knuckleheads: 10" Cheese Pizza was decent, the crust had a little chew to it so that was a pleasant surprise but something just seemed cheap about it. Oddly enough, I think the sauce and cheese were the downfalls here. Usually it is the crust but that was the best part. Molly's: Lemon and campfire cookies are fantastic. Robert's: Not listed on the site, gluten free boneless wings. Very good and crispy. read more

I truly come to state fair for the food and it never misses with its crazy combinations. Dubai Chocolate Strawberry Smoothie: This was such a unique spin on a delicious sweet treat. Definitely tastes like it's name. I wish the chocolate and pistachio was a little blended into the drink. Lots of it got stuck to the cup. Had to lick it down LOL Boom Boom Shrimp Tacos: Soooo good. Loved the breading and it was not too spicy for me. Blueberry Brat: This was definitely something else but still delicious. I loved the pancake but the bacon jam smelled like barbecue sauce. Crab Rangoon Tacos: I really wish I liked these more. I think i'm just used to the traditional crab rangoon like I would've liked more crunch. Plus the crab meat was not mixed in with the cream cheese. Banana Ube French Toast Lumpia: best for last of course. The banana was so sweet and it paired well with the ube french toast. Definitely the sweet treat you wanted from state fair. I personally was very happy with just two. Can't wait to see what foods will be there next year! read more

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This is a tradition for me!! I love the fair all the exhibitions, the animals , games, all the different food and music. So many vendors, sweets, drinks , all kinds of music. What I notice this year lots of places have a big CASH only sign so come prepare. I enjoyed the entire day. Complete the night by listening to Bella Cain and eating a cream puff. read more

Wisconsin State Fair - Festivals Near Me - West Allis, Wisconsin

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Our state fair is the BEST state fair! Grounds are clean, parking is plentiful, so much to see, do, and eat! Slide down the giant slide, visit the animals, enjoy the WI Products Pavilion and the Expo Center. You can stay all day and never run out of activities to enjoy. All of the staff members are friendly and helpful. It's a wonderful Wisconsin tradition and we're lucky to have it in our backyard. read more

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I took my 11 month old granddaughter for a morning walk through. Everyone helping me get through the gate was super helpful and friendly. We had great fun walking through the commercial building, found ourselves some treasures. Enjoyed the free Meijer sponsored items. Especially enjoyed the fudgesicles with my granddaughter. It was a great first fair trip with my granddaughter and hope to be more. Looks like the place has changed so much in The right direction since last we went ten years read more

Wisconsin State Fair - Candy fix for sure. - Festivals Near Me - West Allis, Wisconsin

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I am going to show you how to have fun in under 2 hours with two 10-year-old boys. First, get as many free offerings before the fair opens by watching all the stores/websites and emails that offer them. I got a free entry ticket and 6 free cream puffs for our visit with little effort. Every day seems to have a ticket offer, so watch the fair info and get on their mailing lists. NOTE: Some of the events/stores only take cash, so plan to either bring cash or use an ATM with a fee if you need to. Otherwise, many take CCs. We arrived on the first day at 5:00 pm and parked ($15 cash or card) right in front of the entrance. (Note the lane number you are parked in.) I always take a photo of the kids before we enter in case we get separated; they are also told to describe me now in case they need to later. Enter and bypass the rides, heading for the Sky Glider, $6 one way to the far end. While you are in the air, look at the entire park to see what you think is fun to do, and where it is. There are a lot of food trailers under the ride, so check them out. Since the boys are young, I listened to the music at many food stops for my visit with adults another day. This year, things were moved so don't assume you know the layout from previous visits. We planned to Sky Glide and grab a fresh lemonade when we got off ($4 each) and then walked the center area to see all the food options there. Next Stop is the Corn but on the way there the Idahoan Mashed Potatoe stand had freebies and they were enough for a meal itself, so that saved us money on food. Bought New Berlin's Lions Club corn on the cob soaked in butter, $4 each and worth every penny. (No toothpicks available anymore, so plan ahead, and they take cash or CC.) As we ate, we walked past the pig races and watched the crazy sling shot (not the real name which I can't remember) shoot people into the air; they have seats in front to watch it while we ate. Then, since it was our once-a-year fun we bought Mini Donuts ($18 for 36!!! But they do take credit cards) and indulged as we headed toward the Giant Ferris Wheel. CC self-serve on tickets is easy to spend $7/ticket). Enjoy the view as you go around two or three times. Hop off and go for the Giant Slide (CASH ONLY $4/ticket). Grab your slide ride and have a blast! Off to the Cream Puffs in three flavors this year; original, strawberry or chocolate. Single: $5; 3-Pack: $14; 6-Pack: $25, cash or CC. Grab lots of napkins or get a box to take them home. Back to the Corn stand for more and then to the Colluseum to watch some animals as we ate the last corn and then back to the car for the ride home. But we also visited with the police horses which is pretty cool too. I told the boys we only had 2 hours to spend and with our planning ahead we did exactly that. They saw lots of things, asked lots of questions and enjoyed the fair without needing to blow the bank on junk and expensive toys. Set the tone, plan ahead and take advantage of as many freebies as you can. The prices can easily add up so choose wisely what you want to do or see and what you can just enjoy by wandering; the free street entertainment is an easy choice. Due to our time limit, we did not see everything by any means, but the boys were not disappointed and actually pretty tired as we headed out. They can't wait to come again next year, so I know it was a successful visit without crazy costs or endless wandering. I can't wait to go back with only adults and enjoy the music and fun for myself. read more

Wisconsin State Fair - Sky Glider to the far end - Festivals Near Me - West Allis, Wisconsin

The Dragon's Breath Ice Cream! A Favorite potion as a frozen dessert. I must say...It did not disappoint. Although, a few naysayers before I made my way to the Dragon's Breath station "It ain't all of that, it doesn't last long. You only get dragon's Breath for 30 seconds & that's it". My response: I'M SOLD! I chose toppings of caramel dizzle, chocolate sprinkles, confetti sprinkles! , chocolate chips and a pink fudge. Favorite moment of the Dessert was breathing the smoke & fire as a DRAGON. Science is cool. Especially liquid nitrogen on Ice Cream. Grateful I made the visit before the rains fell upon us! read more

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I wanted to love my visit here. I knew it would be busy, so we went when it first opened and on a weekday. It was still insane and packed, just hard to enjoy at that point. The main reason I went was to try unique foods. It's so impossible to find the food spots you want. The maps were not as helpful as I would have appreciated. The best thing was the little park inside and the milk. Don't think I'd go back. read more

Everything is just so god damn experience. I couldn't even buy anything. For crying out loud the video games range from 10-50 dollars that's so expensive man. The only thing that was cheap was the puppies they are 800 dollars for each puppy and I am like that's expensive but not like the other things. read more

As a Wisconsin native, I am bias, but I think that the Wisconsin State Fair is a must for any and all ages. Make sure you do research ahead of time to see if there are any deals - buying tickets at the gate is always going to be the most expensive. We can usually find free street parking nearby too if you're willing to walk a little to get inside. Also check out all the things you are allowed to bring inside like sealed water bottles and spray bottles/fans for those especially hot days. There are activities for everyone including looking at live animals, the pig races, shopping, rides, live music, or my favorite reason for going - people watching at the Sporkies. There's nothing like the State Fair to bring out vendors imagination for odd or fried food combinations. Check out their website to see the new foods or Sporkie winners so you can map out your meals! read more

This year was my second year attending the Wisconsin State Fair, and I had a blast. Me and my girlfriend made a list of foods we really wanted to try so we didn't feel overwhelmed amongst the crowds. We also waited until the evening time to arrive so we could beat the heat which was a great choice. My favorite items were the Chicken Philly, lemonades, cheese fries, and of course the funnel cake. It was also nice seeing the goats, cows & horses too. This fair never fails and I can't wait to come back again! read more

"It's the most wonderful time of the year!" No really, I love everything about the fair, the foods and the smells, the music, the animals-especially the baby barn. I usually go to the fair at least 4x and always have to go back to the baby barn and see how much they've grown. The only downside is they raised the entrance price again and could have more promotions at the gate read more

This is my 7th time going to The WISCONSIN STATE FAIR. It was pretty decent going with my daughter and grandson, we walked a lot, ate, and also went to the concert to see Tauren Wells Christian R&B singer & Casting Crowns a Christian Band. Love both performances, they were so awesome. We had so much fun on the rides, seeing the farm animals. Eating so much wonderful fair food. But this time I was looking forward to eating some of the things mentioned at the fair, but only found three of them. Loved the Wonder Wheel, got on it for the first time and it was amazing. My daughter got scared a bit, she's afraid of heights. As for me, I think I wasn't afraid anymore, conquered my fear. If we ever go again next year, will probably take my mom and niece so they can enjoy the fair. Also met some nice people at the fair. read more

Ain't no way you're gonna tell me that this state fair isn't one of the best! If there is one event that I look forward to going to every year, it is State Fair. Honestly, I don't care about the crowds, and I don't care about the music. I want to shop, and eat! My go to is the baked potato, with everything but the salsa, please! I just can't get into the cream puff....it's something about the bread. Other favorites are the elotes guy who is always by one of the walls of the grandstand, and the Machine Shed for their Krispy Kreme burger and chocolate covered bacon. Anything at Tropics is delicious, too. The vendors, located all across the grounds, not just in the Expo building, can be hit or miss, but that it the fun of it! The DNR area used to be better, but it is still an oddly quietish oasis in the hustle and bustle of the fair. We hit up the giant ferris wheel each year, usually twice...once during the day for great views of downtown, and at night, to see everything lit up. The giant slide is another favorite. The animal barns are interesting to see, for the simple fact of the many different varieties of each animal....I best most city kids only think of cows as black and white! If you're my friend or family, in town during state Fair week, you're going. I'll even stop and watch a performer or two, just for you. But, you're buying me my potato. 41/2023 read more

A summer staple in Milwaukee that is all about (mainly fried) food, music, and rides, yet the educational opportunity that it provides in the agricultural field is what I think is truly worth visiting for. The agricultural pavilion is pretty cool. It has something for people of all ages. It's good to go to support farmers all across the state & beyond. Suggestion: It is worth getting the pre-season deals, as it can get pricey in just one day. Also check the daily promos. And wear sunblock, and stay hydrated. It's also a good idea to bring a foldable bag to carry extra stuff once you are in. read more

Wisconsin State Fair - Summer vibes - Festivals Near Me - West Allis, Wisconsin

Experienced my first Wisconsin state fair and it was a fun afternoon with a lot of fun food options! We got there before it was busy in the late morning which I highly recommend. Food: Frozen vodka lemonade: 4/5 very refreshing, not too sweet Dirty chai lumpia: 5/5 delicious and perfect for the morning. It was warm and a great take on a cinnamon roll Buffalo chicken Rangoon: 2/5 mostly breading without a ton of stuffing. Not really heated all the way through Apple pie fries: 3.5/5 delicious but I wish they served these warm maybe with some ice cream / creme anglais to dip it in read more

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This review is specifically for The Milwaukee Mile Speedway. This was my first experience with the speedway and it was the right time as it was also the first NASCAR race held there since 2009. The speedway is a mile (hence the Milwaukee Mile) with grandstand seating stretching from turn 4 to turn 1 (no bleacher seating for turns 2 and 3). During this visit, they had 2 races - ARCA cars and NASCAR trucks - and it got loud as soon as the signal to start their engines was given. Fun to see the winner of each race do a burnout/victory donut at the finish line. Makes for a great family fun activity (or day out with the guys). read more

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Gotta love the WI State Fair! I've actually worked the fair the past 10 years now! While I only usually work a day or two since working FT otherwise I still make sure to keep the tradition going! This year was the first in those 10 were I actually went to the fair on a day I wasn't working to fully enjoy it! We had a great time trying out Sporkies/Drinkies and other new food/drink items, along with traditional fair staples like corn on the cob and an extra large sized corn dog! If looking to try the annual Sporkies I recommend mapping out your day! Lines are usually longer at those locations and some of the vendors might be on completely opposite sides of the fair grounds! Also do bring a mix of cash and card because there are still quite a few vendors that only accept cash especially in the WI products pavilion. If going on a weekend after 12pm know it's going to be busy!!! Especially if you plan on parking in the WI Fair lots- don't try and get into the "main lot" at that time you'll wait well over 20-3mins! Make your way to the lot off 76th and swing wide to avoid the traffic that might be for the main lot. read more

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1st timer at this state fair and I will not be back. I will say the parking was quick and plentiful. I enjoyed the roasted corn, pork chop on a stick, and cream puffs. 2 stars because coming into security checkpoint all the employees were yelling, this line is open, dont stand over there, have your bags open, strollers here, literally yelling at the top of their lungs, ummmm we see the signs no need to yell. It's Wisconsin, so we gotta try the cheese curds, right? WRONG!!!! They were really greasy and not good. Also there was not alot of seating compared to other fairs I've attended. read more

Wisconsin State Fair - Pickle donut! - Festivals Near Me - West Allis, Wisconsin

Oh the State Fair, we go every year, and I don't know if its me getting older or the changes of the fair. I received the tickets from work so no comment on the ticket pricing. The lines to get in weren't too long so we were in pretty quick. As expected the crowds were there, lines for just about everything. Lots of food to try, and naturally the Sporkies winners have the longest lines. We walked by some of the barns and the horse show, and that remains the same as years past. We walked through the expo center, normally one of my favorites but this year didn't feel like it had as much as other years. Its a nice place to cool down and see some fun live infomercials, but this year felt a little sparse and had multiple Cutco stands and others that weren't super interesting. Of course I would be back, I enjoy the food and drink (even slightly overpriced), the music, and the people watching. read more

Wisconsin State Fair - Festivals Near Me - West Allis, Wisconsin

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It had been decades since I had been to this state fair so I was a bit surprised, actually shocked, at the high prices for much of the food but especially the drinks. Let me back up. Admission tickets average around $15 for adults and another $15 to park. Buy online ahead of time to save some time. We got to the park right at 10am on a Friday. It took about 10 minutes to get into a parking spot which was nothing compared to the 30 minutes to get in the gate. The long line was due to security being soooo slow. Some of the metal detectors were not functioning. They made TSA look like a pit crew at a race track. Once inside we headed to see the cows, horses, goats, sheep, and pigs. We even watched the kids showing some of these animals which was pretty interesting. We skimmed by the milking parlor show and even watched the goofy pig races. We went through the different pavilions and I had flashbacks when I saw the hucksters making their pitches for miracle frying pans. Same story from decades ago - very nostalgic. We also listened to some music at the various stages scattered throughout the grounds. We also strolled through the midway but did not partake. After wandering around I came to the conclusion that the Fair is really about eating and drinking. It is Wisconsin after all. The number of options is mind blowing as are the prices. $10 for a can of beer, $17 for a brandy Alexander, $20 for a Bloody Mary with a beer chaser - wow! The food was also pricey but not quite as bad as the alcoholic drinks. Now that I have attended after all of these years away I don't need to rush back. read more

What more can I say!? The Wisconsin State Fair is one of the best Fair's in the country. So let me get into it! The wide varieties of food is always a positive. Cream Puff's, burgers, deep fried foods, desserts, faire or carnival like foods, Italian ice are staples of coming to the fair! There are other things like the giant slide and the sky chairs like to take a brief break from waking is always nice. Overall, I would say you won't be disappointed if you visit and experience the Wisconsin state fair. read more

Wisconsin State Fair - Festivals Near Me - West Allis, Wisconsin

FRIED AND GONE TO HEAVEN The Wisconsin State Fair should be a required pilgrimage for every Midwesterner. I remember coming here in the mid 1990's with my parents; in fact, the dairy cows and cream puff pavilion are some of my earliest core memories. Fast forward 30 years and I'm back with my wife and 1yr old in tow. The Badger State holds its annual fair in West Allis, a suburb about 7 miles west of downtown Milwaukee. It always spans ten days in August with tons of food vendors, agricultural exhibits, live music, and carnival rides spread out over the 200-acre fairgrounds. Admission is $17 for adults, $12 for seniors and teens, while kids under 5yrs are free. On-site parking is $15, more on that below. You'll see people outside their homes offering parking on their front lawns for $20--ignore them. Head towards the southeast corner of the racetrack. If you get there early enough (before 11am), odds are good the parking attendants will route you past some cones and onto The Milwaukee Mile Speedway. Here's where things go from 0-60 real quick, literally. To get from the entrance to the infield, they had us drive counterclockwise around the oval track......the exact same asphalt that's hosted racing legends Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt Jr, and mega-hottie Danica Patrick. So, for a few hundred yards I got to revv the Honda CRV and (briefly) live out a NASCAR experience with my wife and little dude. Talk about a way to start the day! Security was stringent, which is good. Within seconds of entering the fairgrounds, my wife asked for a funnel cake. I told her "honey, we have funnel cakes at home", but like Elephant Ears, FRIED DOUGH ($8) is a state fair exclusive. We got one with strawberries, whipped cream, lots of powdered sugar, and despite being too-heavy of a choice to start the day, we managed to finish it. I washed that down with a Miller Lite tallboy ($7.50) at 10:45 in the morning, a questionable decision. My wife got an ice cold Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy ($8.50), a local favorite. Over the course of the day, we got corn on the cob twice ($4 each). The first one came dusted with seasoning from the New Berlin Lions Club, and it was some of the juiciest corn we've had in years. After checking out the livestock exhibits, we found a table inside the Miller Lite Sports Bar & Grill -- a permanent structure next to the grandstand-- where we cooled off and shared an order of BBQ pulled pork fries ($10) that came with queso blanco, jalapenos, pico de gallo and cilantro. I devoured the Sconnie Slugger ($12). It was a delicious item made from sliced bratwurst and cheese curds on a stick, which is then dipped in batter, deep-fried, and topped with Dijonaise and German sweet & sour cabbage. That's 100% Wisconsin, son! It was loved by enough people to place 2nd in the 2022 Sporkie Awards. Later, we wandered over to the fair's west end and got coconut shrimp (6 for $10) with a mango habanero dipping sauce. I rarely get suckered into buying a souvenir bottle ($8), but it was so damn hot out I knew we'd go through it and any subsequent refills ($5) quickly. The cherry limeade really quenched our thirst, as did the regular lemonade. We wrapped things up with a deep fried Twinkie ($6). At the fair's north end is SpinCity, a carnival of considerable size. They had FOUR funhouses--one with a tropical beach theme--plus a swinging pirate ship, Kamikaze (dive bomber cages), Tilt-A-Whirl, bumper cars, Gravitron (the UFO), and a 'Galaxy' portable roller coaster. Prices were $1/ticket, most rides 5-6 tickets. Ride wristbands were a whopping $40......keep in mind that a weekday admission to Six Flags is $35. This year, headlining performers included Kansas, Tesla + Fuel, Nelly, and ventriloquist Jeff Dunham. You have to buy a separate ticket to "see" the acts, though I have to imagine anyone walking around should be able to hear the distinctive chord progression of 'Carry on Wayward Son' just fine. * TL;DR * Battered food-on-a-stick is a big part of what makes the Wisc. State Fair legenDAIRY, though it goes far beyond just eating. The fair boasts a staggering amount of things to see, from the livestock shows and indoor expo, to the rock bands and puke-inducing carnival rides. There's a kids area with youth exhibits, plus air-conditioned family changing centers (pro tip: The Wisconsin Products Pavilion is also a great way to enjoy A/C on a hot day). Most vendors took cash or card and the lines were tolerable, but everything was expensive. Crowds start off lighter in the morning and get heavy into the afternoon. Wear comfortable shoes, as you'll be walking several miles over the course of the day (3.2mi for us). Do things correctly and you should wobble out of the fairgrounds a round-ish shape a la Violet Beauregarde in Willy Wonka's factory (except instead of blueberry juice you're packed to the gills with Leiney's and corn dogs). A solid 5* for this classic summer destination. read more

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Hadn't been to the Wisc State Fair for a loooong time. Last year my wife and I decided to give it a try again because we were looking for something to do! Now it's a year later..,, and we are back for another great experience! Thought it would be a bunch of cattle and farm equipment (it is!) but it's so much more. For the second year in a row we have found some great bands at the many free stages and of course always excited by the different foods! I even enjoy wandering through the Expo buying stuff I'm probably never going to use from the vendors.... I'm a sucker for a good sales pitch! This year (like everything) it seems the prices have gone up... sadly. I just can't see how a young family can possibly afford the fair ... it should be cheaper for them. Pro Family Tip: We did find a grilled cheese stand that wasn't too expensive... so find this place (in the Wisc marketplace) if you can't afford $12 for a shitty gyro, or $14 for double cheeseburger! Lol Well. My kids are grown up... so spending a bunch on me and my wife for weird foods, cold beers and goofy gadgets was once again a lot of fun. Might become a regular! read more

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WOOOHOOOO STATE FAIR IS BACK! The WI State Fair is every foodie's dream event and definitely a Milwaukee staple. There are so many vendors and copious amount of food items that are "on a stick". Whoever thought of this "on a stick" trend is a genius. Seriously, who would have thought to put Spaghetti and Meatballs on a stick? or a Footlong Cheese Curd on a stick? Like WHAT? It's such a fun idea and practically mess free. As with all fairs, you can expect A TON of fried food. Probably not the best idea if you're on a strict diet. You can get anything from exotic foods (i.e. gator claws, gator bites) to your ordinary corn dog, brats and burgers. There are an array of cuisines from Mexican, Polish, Greek, etc. My ALL TIME FAVORITE and is the elotes from El Jefe corn stand. It's on the end of the strip if you are entering from the front/Spin City (Thrill Ride Area). Trust me, you NEED to get this. Its a family owned business that has been there for more than 10 years. I highly highly recommend. The corn is always fresh and just so so so delicious. Keep in mind that they only take cash so make sure you bring some with you. However, if you do forget cash ... DONT YOU WORRY!!! There are ATMs around that you can get cash from. Put this on your list for next year. Other food items I will for sure go back for are the spaghetti and meatball on the stick - such a genius idea and the Flamin Hot Chicken on a Stick. I was disappointed that I wasn't able to try the flaming hot chicken since it was sold out. Guess I have to try to make my own version of it at home. If you're not a foodie, DON'T. YOU. WORRY! ... there are so many other things you can do -- Listen to live music (cover bands are actually really good), shop around (perhaps for a new hot tub), drink at your favorite local bars that has a booth in State Fair grounds, go on the rides in spin city, or go check out the animals. Honestly, endless amount of activities for you and your kids. This year, my friend and I went to see a comedian for just $35 bucks (Charlie Berens) and he was so so good. Other performers that came this year are Nelly, Brett Young, etc. As for parking, you can find parking around the area for free. Otherwise, you can pay anywhere from $5-20 for a parking spot. Overall, love love love state fair. Its FOR SURE, 1000% a whole day event for you and your family! read more

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Definitely a fun activity - there's a good amount of tradition and a side of life that suburban and city folk just don't get to appreciate too often. The State Fair is a big deal, and Wisconsin's is held in the same venue every year. Lots of barns with livestock in it for everyone to see and get up close to. Areas with lots of food vendors in it as well to chose from. There an area with the food tents and then there's another area with the nicer food stalls. Then there's also big buildings with various vendors and also food vendors. And of course can't pass up the cream puffs here at the state fair. read more

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I have been coming to the Wisconsin state fair since a kid and it has always been something I look forward to every year. The food we tried this year was delicious. I love coming here for the food, music and shopping. There is also a giant slide that is super fun, along with dog shows, live performances, games and animals. There is always so much to do at this fair it's definitely worth checking out. read more

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Awesome-Mozzarella sticks and ranch are the 1st thing I grab with a coke. Then cheese curds w/ ranch - followed by cheese on stick and there and back on the sky line read more

Wisconsin State Fair - Delicious-sweet-pickles-"Purple Pickle Lemonade" - Festivals Near Me - West Allis, Wisconsin

So disappointing!! We have been going for 35 yrs. The food prices are insane. $13 for a burger, $15 for a ribeye sandwich which waa hard to find the steak, $11 for 32oz fries which use to be the best fries ever at Fresh Fries which is now run by the original owners sons. They where terrible!! I actually think they are using frozen fries and not fresh cut. Didn't see the tubs of fries or anyone cutting them like the previous years. Not sure we will be back. read more

I love attending the fair each year. This year we experienced the new circus show and tried several new foods and drinks. Parking gets backed up early in the day so plan accordingly. read more

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I have been to the Wisconsin State Fair twice now and had the best time both times! There is so much to do at the fair. From food to cattle shows, they have it all! There's tons of parking at the fair and nearby. The parking is reasonably priced if you get there early. The location is really easy to get to as well. It's right off the highway and has lots of signage. The security line was quick and easy both times I went. The staff was super friendly as well! They have sooo much food to choose from at the fair. My favorite thing so far has been Richie's cheese curd tacos. I got the pickle and cheese curd tacos with raspberry Chipotle sauce and oh my goodness, it was delicious! Honestly, one of the best things I've ever eaten. Pickles and cheese curds are two of my favorite things! We also had an ear of corn, wings from Major Goolsby's, and cookie dough on a stick. All of the food was so delicious! They even have a cheese curd on a stick, a true Wisconsinite's dream! As far as drinks go, they have so many indoor and outdoor places to choose from. They have wineries, breweries, and cocktail bars. I think it's super unique that they have these options. I've never been to a fair that had indoor wineries, breweries, and even restaurants! There's plenty of things to do outside of eating and drinking. They have tons of animals you can look at, different shows, large slides for kids, rides, live music, and more! It's a great place for kids, families, friends, or a day date! I'll definitely be back. I'm already excited for the next Wisconsin State Fair! read more

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I love going to the state fair but just be prepared to spend money. I haven't been in a few years so it was nice to come back and see the changes. Buy your tickets online it well save you time and a dollar. It gets very crowded anytime you go so if you're not a fan of large crowds this is not for you. Depending on what gate you go through make all the difference. I personally like going through the main entrance with all the carnival rides. Once you pass through the rides you enter the main part with all the foods lined up. They had a lot of vendors and I was able to try a lot of new foods. Definitely overpriced but hey you're there for the experience. There's plenty of things to do besides eat. The numerous shows they have going on is fun for the whole family or seeing all the livestock. I'd recommend it for the experience and fun but don't expect to get your money's worth. Best thing to do is go with a group and split food because the prices are really high read more

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