Last year, it finally happened. I went to the Wisconsin State Fair!
Although I had lived in the state for over a decade, for whatever reason, I’d never made it to the festival grounds in West Allis until last year. Ironically, it took me to move out of Wisconsin to finally realize that I should visit one of its most well-known events. Why did it take me so long? I don’t know. If we were travelling abroad and something like a state fair was happening let’s say in Germany or Peru, we would certainly jump at the opportunity and explore everything it had to offer. But as often happens in life, we tend to ignore things that are close to home, seeking greener pastures elsewhere. But it’s better late than never.
Typically held in late summer or early fall, a state fair is essentially an agricultural festival celebrating farmers and fruits of their labor. The traditions of state fairs in the U.S. go back to the 19th century, when they were utilized more practically: to allow farmers to showcase livestock, equipment, and exchange techniques and know-how. Nowadays, state fairs are fun-filled events with contests, food, carnival rides, and concerts.
Although similar festivals can be found around the globe—Scottish Royal Highland Show and Calgary’s Stampede come to mind—a state fair is distinctively American. In the Midwest, where farming traditions run deep, it’s one of the main events of the year. The Wisconsin State Fair alone draws more than a million visitors annually. Other U.S. states host similar events, each with its own traditions and quirks. If you want a slice of Americana, going to a state fair might get you as much of an American experience as driving on Route 66 or watching fireworks on July 4.
We visited the fair on a hot Saturday, and the place was packed. If you mind crowds, a weekday may work better for you. Paid parking was available near the festival grounds, but we chose to park for free in the nearby neighborhood and take a short walk to the entrance.
The main attraction of the fair (no surprise here) is various farm-related activities. There are numerous barns and enclosures, where you can stop by and check out animals or see farm-related demonstrations, such as cow and goat milking. The fair also offers animal-related contests, where farm animals are judged against the ideal standards for their breed and purpose, and winners marked with special ribbons. Other contests—pig races, rabbit hopping, or horse pulling—are meant to entertain the fairgoers but can be a little bit controversial. PETA deems them a form of animal cruelty, but other sources dispute the negative impact on the welfare of the animals. So, you decide if it’s your cup of tea.
In addition to animal contests, other agricultural competitions also take place at the fair. We spent hours strolling around and checking out prize-winning pumpkins, dahlias, and apple pies.
The fair has a carnival atmosphere. A giant slide, pony rides, trampolines, Ferris wheel, and a Sky Glider: entertainment options for kids and adults are endless. Companies and corporate sponsors promote their products with plenty of freebies, samples, and giveaways provided to festivalgoers. Music blasts from every corner and musicians of every caliber and talent play at pavilions and small stages. The music genres vary widely, with a slight tilt to country music. Every evening, a bigger name plays at the amphitheater.
The food is another highlight. The abundance of food vendors creates a buzzing atmosphere of an Asian night market: street food, fast food, fried food, and everything-on-the-stick type of food. Of course, because you’re in Wisconsin, bratwurst, cheese, and beer are the staple offerings and the best way to experience local flavor.
Without a doubt, the most emblematic food item at the festival is cream puffs. With 400,000 orders sold annually, this is a must-try food. In 2013, Wisconsin was shaken by a major scandal. I recall it vividly as I had just moved to the state, and the local news talked about this non-stop. That summer, a cardinal sin was committed. An unthinkable act, a travesty, a state-level betrayal. Cream puffs that were sold at the fair were made with milk not from Wisconsin but… from neighboring Illinois. The horror! Treasured Wisconsin cream puffs, a hallmark of the fair, were terribly tainted. The milk that was used for making cream puffs was produced not by honest and caring Wisconsin farmers but by despicable FIBs (Effing Illinois Bastards), a term of endearment that Wisconsinites use for Illinoisans, but not really.
Obviously, cream puffs were something that we looked forward to trying and they lived up to all the hype: the shells were soft but with a pleasing crunch, and the cream had a velvety, almost silky texture and wasn’t too sweet. There was no elegant way to eat giant cream puffs, and smearing a delicious filling all over our faces was a rite of passage and a quintessential fair experience. As we were leaving the festival, we even bought cream puffs as a present for our FIB friends.
To see and do everything at the fair in one day is not possible, but if you spend five to seven hours, you can cover a lot of ground, both literally and figuratively. Just stay hydrated and bring a hat.
Attending the Wisconsin State Fair was an unforgettable experience for us, and I’m glad that we finally made it after so many years of ignoring the event. This year, unfortunately, we’ll miss it again as we’ll be out of the country, but for those who want to join in the fun, the fair opens tomorrow, August 6, and runs through August 16.
