‘Really excited’ for fair’s return
Some changes made to event for safety, staffing reasons
Like many beloved traditions and events, the 2020 Wisconsin State Fair was lost to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It was the first time it was canceled in 75 years.
Thursday will mark its grand return. Some things will be different, including cashless admission and parking.
Some familiar traditions will be absent altogether, like the Milwaukee Bucks Milk House, Blue Ribbon Brownies and Colossal Cookies.
But there will be new stuff, too, from foods — like Lobster Rangoon and a Deep-Fried Pink Squirrel — to a revamped Central Mall.
“When this is what you work for all year long, having to wait two years to put on the next one is nothing we’ve ever experienced,” said Jen Puente, the Wisconsin State Fair’s chief marketing officer. “Getting to that opening day, the countdown is on. I think we’re all just really, really excited to open the gates now.”
The 2021 fair is scheduled for Aug. 515 at the Wisconsin State Fair Park in West Allis. Here’s a look at how the fair is shaping up, how the pandemic has changed it and what fairgoers should know before they go.
Preparing for the fair in a hurry
In January, the Wisconsin State Fair Park Board set the goal to have a fair in 2021.
“Behind the scenes, we were really striving forward,” Puente said.
“Some pauses” came from people not being “100% ready to commit” to being a part of the event until an official announcement was made. That statement came at the end of April, which is when the fair’s crew put its “foot on the accelerator.”
They usually estimate it to take 11 months to plan the 11-day affair.
“When you put it in that kind of perspective, it’s kind of mind-blowing,” Puente said.
Overall, the team has been preparing “very traditionally,” securing vendors, as well as food and ride operators.
“We’ve been going down a pretty traditional route of planning, but it’s just been a lot faster,” she said.
This year’s installment will feature more than 500 food and shopping vendors, and over 1,500 seasonal employees.
“It takes a village to do just about anything, and the fair is no exception,” Puente said. “Every role is important . ... Everyone pitches in where they need to.”
Like many industries, the fair experienced “labor challenges” this year.
There just weren’t as many people wanting to work some part-time roles, Puente explained. But now, she said they’re in a “really good spot” to be ready for the fair.
“It is our intention that when the gates open at 11 a.m. on opening day, that things look as pristine as possible and that everyone is as ready as possible,” Puente said.
COVID-19 has resulted in new hours at the fair
In years past, the fair opened at 8 a.m. daily. This year, it’s opening at 11 a.m. to give its personnel “additional time for cleaning and sanitizing overnight,” Puente said.
The fair will close at 11 p.m. daily, except for Aug. 15, when it closes at 10 p.m.
“We understand that there are people who love to be at the fair first thing in the morning,” she said. “But just like everyone in 2021, we’re doing the best we can.”
For people who used to visit the fair in the mornings to avoid bigger crowds, Puente recommended that they come during weekdays.
“We realize that there are some people, too, that may not feel comfortable coming to the fair this year,” she said. “We completely respect that, we completely respect those decisions, and we’ll be here to welcome them back in 2022.”
If there are lines when the gates open, patrons are asked to be as patient as possible.
Attendees can help lines move quicker by purchasing their tickets in advance at wistatefair.com/fair/tickets.
And, “don’t bring the kitchen sink with you,” Puente added.
Everyone is bag-checked as they enter, so keeping belongings to a minimum will help the flow as well. All entrants also pass through metal detection and are subject to search.
Another major change this year is that admission and parking will be cashless. Only credit and debit cards will be accepted at the fair gates.
This was implemented to reduce both physical contact and manpower, and to make transactions faster, according to Puente.
“Just like how you go to the grocery store, you have the option to do selfcheckout. This will be no different,” she said. “Our fairgoers can go use a kiosk, or use a credit card right at the gates. But again, we encourage you to buy those tickets in advance to make that a little bit easier for you.”
Food and shopping vendors have the option to accept cash as a form of payment, Puente noted, with most accepting both cash and cards.
Other things you might notice missing from this year’s fair include State Fair souvenir cups, eating competitions, the Activity Stage, daily parades and talent competitions.
“It’s too soon to tell at this point” if some of these things will return in 2022, Puente said.
“We’re always hopeful to bring back the best parts of the fair experience,” she added.
What’s the mask policy and what precautions will be in place?
Masks will not be required and there will not be capacity limits.
However, hundreds of hand-sanitizing stations will be located throughout the grounds.
Wisconsin State Fair Park is GBAC (Global Biorisk Advisory Council) STAR-accredited.
“That means our cleaning standards are world-class,” Puente said. “That has been really important to us as a facility as we get back to somewhat normal, that we provide the safest and cleanest experience for our fair-goers.”
When asked if a plan is in place if COVID-19 cases continue to rise, Puente said “everyone can make their own decisions” about attending the fair.
“Certainly, if you’re not feeling well, we encourage you to stay home,” she said. “We are just hopeful that the variant will cooperate. We’re hopeful that we have a successful fair.”
A “good majority” of the fair’s facilities are already outdoors, she noted.
“We’re hoping that fairgoers who may be uncomfortable going in buildings can still experience the fair outside,” she said.
Puente recommended checking out the fair’s “FAQ” section on its website for the most up-to-date information.
Fair expert says the SkyGlider and getting a cream puff are must-dos
“Everyone has their favorite things to do at the fair,” Puente said.
One of the things she’s most excited to be able to do again is ride the SkyGlider.
“It’s just great to see a bird’s-eye view of everything happening at the fair,” she said.
One-way is $5 and round-trip is $8. Tickets are available at each end of the ride: One near the Exposition Center and one near the SpinCity entrance.
Another one of her must-dos: Get a cream puff.
The Original Cream Puffs — sponsored by the Wisconsin Bakers Association — make and sell about 400,000 of them during the fair.
“Cream puffs always just taste better while you’re at the fair,” Puente said. “And it’s the one time a year you can get the official State Fair cream puff.”
They can be purchased at the Original Cream Puff Pavilion, a walk-up window at the pavilion or from two Cream Puff Express locations. There’s also a drive-thru operation that will run from 7 to 9 a.m. Aug. 9-13.
Puente’s final suggestion for the 2021 fair is “people watching.”
In recent years, the fair has drawn more than a million attendees, she said. While Puente doesn’t anticipate that number this year, she said the fair would welcome it with “open arms.”
“Take a minute to relax and just take in all the sights and sounds, and just be happy that we’re able to be back together,” she said.
She recommends doing that from the new Central Mall space.
When that area had underground “infrastructure issues” — including water leaks and pipes needing to be replaced — the fair used it as an “opportunity” to give it a fresh look.
It now has ample seating, green space and soft lighting in the evening. A lot of curbs were also removed from that area to make it more accessible.
“Come and be excited to be back together,” Puente said. “Just revel in the fact that we can all be back together for the best 11 days of summer.”
“Take a minute to relax and just take in all the sights and sounds, and just be happy that we’re able to be back together.” Jen Puente Wisconsin State Fair chief marketing officer