Once again, Wisconsin State Fair attendance tops 1 million visitors
For the second consecutive year, Wisconsin State Fair attendance topped 1 million visitors, the fair reported this week.
Attendance for the fair’s recently concluded 2023 stint was 1,043,350, a slight increase over 2022’s 1,003,450 fairgoers.
In 2021, with attendance depressed by effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the fair drew 841,074 visitors. Because of the pandemic, there was no 2020 fair. Prior to that, State Fair had attracted more than a million visitors for seven consecutive years, with a modern-day attendance record of more than 1.1 million fairgoers in 2019.
Also, the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Livestock Auction raised a record-breaking $403,150 (compared to $321,950 in 2022).
This year’s State Fair took place Aug. 3-13. Other spiffy numbers from its statistical wrap-up:
The Wisconsin Bakers Association served 307,000 cream puffs (down from 320,000 in 2022).
The Governor’s Blue Ribbon Meat Products Auction raised $105,000, while the Blue Ribbon Dairy Products Auction raised $50,155. A “significant portion” of proceeds from each auction goes to Wisconsin youth agriculture programs and scholarships, the fair reported in a statement.
WürstBar dished up nearly 25,285 orders of Beer Cheese Wisconsin Lava Cakes, the Sporkies winner; Old Fashioned Sipper Club poured 9,342 Ferris Mules as the inaugural Drinkies winner.
Nearly 100,000 Giant Slide rides were taken.
The new Cirque at the Fair performance drew 25,000 visitors.
More than 100,000 ears of corn were served.
The 2024 fair will take place Aug. 1-11 at State Fair Park in West Allis.