Wisconsin State Fair

25 fun facts you may not know about the Wisconsin State Fair

Started in 1851, the Wisconsin State Fair brings a rich history of fun and unexpected moments

by Brian Sodoma
for Wisconsin State Fair
The Wisconsin State Fair has had 7 locations in its 170 year history. Pictured: Camp Randall fairgrounds, 1858.

With 170 years under its belt, the Wisconsin State Fair has had more than its share of memorable moments. Throughout its long history, a number of fun, silly, and somewhat unbelievable facts have been explored. In a tribute to the event’s long-time historian, Jerry Zimmerman, who visited his first State Fair in diapers in 1928, here are 25 unique facts about the Wisconsin State Fair you may have never known.

#1: The first one – The first Wisconsin State Fair was held in 1851 in Janesville, along the banks of the Rock River; it featured a 200-pound squash.

#2: 6 cancellations – There have been six cancellations in Wisconsin State Fair history. From 1861-1863, the Civil War forced three cancellations; in 1893, in order to avoid competing for publicity with the World Columbian Exposition in Chicago, the Fair shut down; in 1945, the War Transportation Office, due to World War II, requested a cancellation, and in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the Fair to be cancelled. But there are plenty of tickets for this year’s fair, running August 5-15.

#3: 7 locations in 170 years – In its first 40 years, the Fair changed locations annually. Stops have included:

  • Janesville, along the banks of the Rock River
  • Cold Spring Race Course, in Milwaukee; currently Cold Spring Park
  • Watertown, along the banks of the Rock River
  • Spring Street Hill / Brockway Grounds, in Milwaukee, currently Marquette University
  • Madison at the Bruen Estate, currently Camp Randall
  • Fond du Lac
  • West Allis, formerly Steven’s Farm, currently Wisconsin State Fair Park, the Fair’s location since 1892
The current location of the Fair Park has been the same since 1892.

#4: The original admission price – It cost 10 cents to enter the State Fair in 1851.

#5: Presidential experiences – U.S. President Howard Taft visited the Wisconsin State Fair in 1909; then lawyer and future U.S. President Abraham Lincoln discussed agriculture with Fairgoers in 1859; and President Rutherford B. Hayes spoke about “hard times” in 1878.

#6: Temporary renaming – The Fair Park was temporarily renamed in 1898 to “Camp Harvey” to train National Guard soldiers for the Spanish-American War.

#7: The original Cream Puff Pavilion – First known as the Dairy Building, it was built in 1909 for $35,000.

#8: The first Cream Puff -- Over 400,000 are consumed every year, but the Cream Puff made its first appearance in the “Dairy Building” in 1924. They could be bought by the dozen via drive-thru for the first time in 1999.

#9: The Kids from Wisconsin -- The group performed for the first time in 1969, and still performs at the Fair every year, including 2021 when they will perform on the Bank Five Nine Amphitheater, August 5-14.

#10: A place for football -- The Green Bay Packers played for the first time in 1934 on the infield of the Milwaukee Mile; and in 1939 the NFL Championship was played in front of the Grandstand. It was watched by 32,000 fans.

#11: Milk excess -- In 1954, one concession stand featured “all the milk you can drink for 10 cents.”

#12: Legendary visitor -- In 1922, automaker Henry Ford visited the State Fair.

#13: Blimp rides -- In 1932, World’s Fair Blimp carried passengers from the Fair to the Milwaukee lakefront for $3.00.

In 1911, aviator Lincoln Beachey took off from State Fair Park for the first airplane flight over Milwaukee.

#14: Electric lights -- Lights were installed in 1904 to allow the Fair experience to extend into the night.

#15: First flight over Milwaukee -- In 1911, aviator Lincoln Beachey took off from State Fair Park for the first airplane flight over Milwaukee.

#16: Another aviation first -- The first passenger airplane ever constructed in the U.S., the Lawson Passenger Airplane, was built in a Fair exhibit hall in 1919.

#17: Admission costs during World War II -- In 1943, war stamps or bonds were accepted for admission. Children were free if they brought a half-pound of copper, three pounds of paper, or two pounds of steel or iron.

#18: Going large for Alaska -- The world’s largest Baked Alaska appeared at the Fair in 1984.

#19: Pig races arrive -- The popular attraction made its debut in 1986.

#20: Daring to go small -- Crazy Grazin’ Day is introduced with smaller portions for smaller prices in 2003 and continues on to this year, Tuesday, August 10.

#21: A logo first -- The iconic snowflake logo that symbolizes year-round use of the Fair Park was created in 1972.

#22: Energetic exhibit -- An atomic energy exhibit came to the Wisconsin At Work building in 1951.

#23: A foodie first -- Millie’s Italian Sausage was the first permanent food stand built at State Fair Park in 1932.

Planes, cars, and motorcycles have been part of the Fair’s history for decades.

#24: A unique way to enjoy cars -- The 1910’s were all about aviation, auto, and motorcycles. The Fair even held automobile polo matches in 1913.

#25: Cream Puff extreme -- In 2011, the Guinness Book of World Records certified the world’s largest Cream Puff at the Wisconsin State Fair. It was 7.5 inches tall, 38 inches wide, and weighed 126 pounds.

A Final Note: To learn more about the Fair’s nearly two centuries of fun, catch this year’s State Fair History Display at the South Building of Exploratory Park. The 2021 new featured display is Jerry’s Gems, a loving memorial to longtime historian Jerry Zimmerman.

This year’s Wisconsin State Fair runs from August 5-15. For tickets or more information, visit wistatefair.com.