Milwaukee With Kids is a proud partner of Wisconsin State Fair.
The smell of corn on the cob (and manure!) is in the air, and so is a sense of pride for all things Wisconsin.
The Wisconsin State Fair is back this year, and it’s a celebration of agriculture, local delicacies, and yes, food-on-a-stick.
Check out their Daily Schedule for 2023!
Some things will be the same as ever, and other things will be different.
Read on to find out what you need to know this year, plus our suggestions for the best things to do -and eat – with kids.
Want to be extra safe? Check out 10 Crowd Safety Tips for Families With Kids.
THINGS TO KNOW FOR 2023
Dates: The Wisconsin State Fair will run Thursday, August 3- Sunday, August 13th, 2023 at the Wisconsin State Fair Park in West Allis.
Updated Hours: There are updated hours of operation this year. The State Fair will be Sunday – Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., and Thursday – Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to midnight.
You can find Building Hours and SpinCity Ride & Game Area Hours here.
Admission: Kids 5 and under are free! At the gate, adult admission (12 and over) is $18. Seniors (60 & over), military/veterans with ID and youth (ages 6-11) admission is $13. Only credit cards are accepted at the gate.
You can get $3.00 off an adult admission if you purchase now through July 28th online.
Milwaukee Bucks Kids Day on Tuesday, August 8th: The Milwaukee Bucks are bringing the energy of Fiserv Forum to the State Fair with a day of activities that will have you chanting “Fear the Deer!”
Enjoy performances from the Bucks Entertainment Network, score a high-five from Bango and the Wisconsin Herd’s mascot Pointer, take home a souvenir craft on-a-stick, put your NBA 2K skills to the test, enjoy music played by the Bucks DJs, and purchase some new gear from the mobile Bucks Pro Shop, too from 10am-4pm.
Plus, in the month of July, young Bucks fans can receive a free State Fair youth admission ticket after signing up for Bango’s Kids Club, presented by BMO.
Get in Free: Kids 5 and under are always free! Educators get in free with a school ID on Thursday, August 10th. Military and Veterans plus three family members get in free on Sunday, August 6th. Both promotions run 10am – 4pm.
Carry-ins: No carry-in alcoholic beverages or weapons allowed. Unopened bottled water and food for infants or those with food allergies is permitted.
New Parent Supervision/Youth Admission Policy:
Fairgoers seventeen (17) years of age and under must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian (age 21+) to enter Wisconsin State Fair Park beginning at 5:00 pm each day of the Fair. Each parent or guardian may only chaperone up to six (6) minors per day.
State Fair Park staff reserves the right to request a VALID PHOTO ID with proof of age from any adult chaperoning minors once the Youth Admission Policy is in place. Adult chaperones MUST remain at the Fair Park at all times when the Youth Admission Policy is in place.
State Fair Park staff reserves the right to remove any unaccompanied minors from State Fair Park when Youth Admission Policy is in place. The State Fair Park CEO/Executive Director and the Chief of Police reserve the right to enact changes to this policy at any time.
Family/Baby Care Centers: Families can visit one of three private, air conditioned, comfortable areas designated as Family/Baby Care Centers in the Exposition Center, Guest Services Pavilion, and at North Grandstand Avenue & Fifth Street. Each location offers an area for nursing mothers as well as a diaper changing station. Diaper changing stations are also available in most restroom facilities throughout State Fair Park.
ID Wristbands: We Energies identification wristbands are available at the Reconnection Centers, Police booths, and at We Energies Energy Park on Wetley Way.
Restrooms: Nearly every permanent building at State Fair Park includes restrooms inside of it, excluding smaller exhibit halls and open-air livestock barns. Dedicated restroom structures and portable restrooms are also spread out through the grounds.
Stroller & Wagon Rental: Vista Mobility provides onsite rentals for strollers, wagons, wheelchairs, and electric scooters. Rental fees are as follows: $15 per Single Stroller, $20 per Wagon, $25 per Wheelchair, $65 per Electric Scooter ($45 after 6 pm). You can find them outside the UScellular Main Entrance, and the West Entrance C at Gate 4, and at the admission entrance on the northeast corner of Grandstand Avenue and Main Street.
Parking:
Cost: $15 per vehicle, $8 per motorcycle
General and motorcycle parking are available through the following vehicle gates:
- Gate 1 – located at W. Greenfield Avenue and S. 79th Street | Opens at 6am daily
- Gate 7 – located on Kearney Street (I-94 Frontage Road) between S. 84th & S. 76th Streets | Opens at 9am daily
- Gate 9 – located at W. Pierce Street and S. 76th Street | Opens at 9am daily
All parking is first-come, first-served.
DON’T MISS IT!
Cirque at the Fair: New location! Find it just east of Entrance A on South Grandstand Ave. Watch incredible acts at Cirque at the Fair — an all-new dazzling free show. Enjoy phenomenal acts including archery and aerial performances like you’ve never seen before. Showtimes are Monday – Friday: 1pm, 4pm, & 7pm and Saturday – Sunday: 12pm, 2pm, 5pm, & 8pm. Upgrade to VIP here.
Sensory-Friendly SpinCity Morning: Fairgoers who have special sensory needs can play games and experience rides and attractions from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on Monday, August 7th. Lights, sounds, and non-safety related announcements will be reduced. (Some operational noises will be noticeable during this time, and some attractions are not able to be fully silenced.)
Wisconsin State Fair Park Foundation Milk House: This year’s flavors are Salted Caramel, Root Beer, Strawberry Cheesecake, and Cookies & Cream.
Central Marketplace: The Central Marketplace has a whole new look and vibe this year, with a focus on small businesses. It’s located near the Bank Five Nine Amphitheater.
10 THINGS TO SEE & DO (WITH KIDS!)
1. KIDZBOP
Sing your heart out during the KIDZ BOP Never Stop Live Tour as this new tour pops over to the Main Stage on Tuesday, August 8!
The KIDZ BOP Never Stop Live Tour is the BIGGEST KIDZ BOP tour yet! Kids and grown-ups alike will be dancing along to today’s biggest hits, sung by kids for kids. Some current hits include “Anti-Hero,” “About That Time,” “Sunroof,” and “Late Night Talking.”
All seating for this show is reserved, and tickets are $26, $31, and $36. Each concert ticket includes admission to the State Fair for the day of the show when purchased before entering the Fair. Venue opens at 6:30pm for show seating.
Get tickets here.
2. MILWAUKEE BUCKS KIDS DAY
The Milwaukee Bucks are bringing the energy of Fiserv Forum to the State Fair with a day of activities that will have you chanting “Fear the Deer!”
Enjoy performances from the Bucks Entertainment Network, score a high-five from Bango and the Wisconsin Herd’s mascot Pointer, take home a souvenir craft on-a-stick, put your NBA 2K skills to the test, enjoy music played by the Bucks DJs, and purchase some new gear from the mobile Bucks Pro Shop, too from 10am-4pm.
Plus, in the month of July, young Bucks fans can receive a free State Fair youth admission ticket after signing up for Bango’s Kids Club, presented by BMO.
3. COMPEER FINANCIAL DISCOVERY BARNYARD
A must stop for kids and families is the Compeer Financial Discovery Barnyard, located near Ag Village, where you’ll find hundreds of baby animals. Last year, 600 chicks and 21 piglets were born there. You’ll also find a cows and calves, ewes and lambs, dairy goat kids, and ducklings.
Nearby, you can take pony rides on Sue Wetley Court, or visit the “Neigh”borhood Corral, an in-depth exhibit focused entirely on horses, complete with grooming demos, educational displays, and more.
The Alpaca area is also located next door!
4. SAZ’S RACING PIGS
Saz’s Racing Pigs are a State Fair staple. Pick your favorite pig and cheer them on during races held throughout the day. It’s located on Second Street and Badger Avenue.
This year, you can cheer for Mimi, Natalie, Harrison, and Clara Mae.
5. THE MILKING PARLOR
The milking parlor is where your kids can learn where the milk you get in the grocery store comes from.
Check the daily schedule for demonstration times.
It’s located in Ag Village at the southeast corner of the Livestock Horse Barn on Central Avenue.
6. K-9 SPORTS ARENA
Stop by the K-9 Sports Arena, located in the Big Backyard, for shows and demonstrations like dog dock diving, frisbee, agility courses, Police K-9 units and more.
7. THE GIANT SLIDE
It will be difficult to resist (and hard to miss!) the Giant Slide, which has been around for over fifty years.
Hop onto a burlap sack and take a ride down the iconic 200 foot slide for $4 each. It’s located on Second Street, just north of Central Mall.
8. WONDERFAIR WHEEL
Near the Giant Slide is North America’s largest traveling Ferris Wheel, the Wonderfair Wheel, which stands 15 stories high and features 36 fully enclosed, brightly colored gondolas.
Each gondola has a capacity of six people, and one gondola offers accessible seating. The ride time from start to finish is approx. 10 minutes. You’ll get a breathtaking view of the city, with visibility of over 10 miles from the top of the wheel.
Rides on the WonderFair Wheel cost $7 per person. Save $1 when you buy online!
It’s located on Wetley Way at Second Street.
9. WILDERNESS RESORT FAMILY VARIETY STAGE
NEW location on South Grandstand!
Head to the Wilderness Resort Family Variety Stage, where there will be jugglers, comics, musical fun, magicians, illusionists, and more.
10. SPINCITY KIDS AREA
For amusement rides with lower minimum heights and exciting games of chance, head to the SpinCity Kids Area on west side of the Grand Walkway in SpinCity.
You should also check out…
The Animal Buildings are open this year from 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Each year, the State Fair welcomes over 10,000 animals to Ag Village for competitions and exhibitions. You’ll see cattle, horses, sheep, poultry, rabbits, goats, and swine.
When you need a calming break from the fun, your kids might also love Exploratory Park, where they can explore Paradise Pond, an oversized chess board, hopscotch, bag toss, quirky toad stools, a dragonfly bench, a sand box, and more.
For thrill seekers, check out the Salto Power Jump Trampolines on Wetley Way across from the K-9 Sports Arena.
For kids who love tractors, stop by the Case IH Tractor Display on Wisconsin Way in Ag Village.
WHAT TO EAT
Wisconsin Products Pavilion: When you’ve worked up an appetite, the Wisconsin Products Pavilion offers higher-quality local faire like Door County cherry products and artisan jerky, as well as kid favorites like grilled cheese, pizza, and their famous baked potatoes.
Food On A Stick: For old favorites, search for corn on the cob, pork chops, and some kind of Food On A Stick. From BBQ-Pork-On-A -Stick to Cheesecake-On-A-Stick, there is something for everyone. Check out a complete directory of Foods On A Stick here.
New This Year: New foods being offered in 2023 include Beer Cheese Wisconsin Lava Cake, Coastal Corn Nuggets, Dill Pickle Donut, and Deep Fried Apple Pie. Check out all of the new foods here.
Cream Puffs: For the true State Fair experience you’ll want to cap off your visit with an Original Cream Puff. Approximately 400,000 are consumed every year. The decadent cream-filled pastries have been sold at the Fair since 1924. You can get them in three or six packs.
Crazy Grazin Day: Real foodies will go crazy for Crazy Grazin Day on Tuesday, August 8th, when you can get deals at over 30 stops throughout the fair.
READER RECOMMENDED!
We asked our Instagram community what their favorite thing to eat at the fair was, and these were their answers:
Baked Potatoes & Island Noodles
Fried Veggies
Maple Syrup Cotton Candy
Hot Wisconsin Cheese
Roasted Corn
BBQ Pork Chop Sandwich
Pierogis
Corn in a Cup
Truffle Tots
Flavored Milk
Mexican Corn
Corndog
Dill Pickle Pizza
Deep Fried Mac N Cheese
Deep Fried PB & J
Chicken & Waffles
Head to the Wisconsin State Fair website for even more information about this year’s fair.