Total attendance at the 2026 edition of the Wisconsin State Fair was 925,749 over its 11 days, up 36.7% from last year.
Attendance at last year’s Fair was hurt by severe flooding that forced a last-day closure.
While attendance improved for this year’s event, the 175th edition of the Wisconsin State Fair, it was still down 18.6% from the record crowd of 1,136,805 that came to the 2024 State Fair.
“Whether you took a spin 230 feet in the air on the America 250 Wheel, raised a glass of Cream Puff Ale, danced at one of the many shows throughout the Fair Park or created new traditions with your loved ones, we feel blessed to have brought so many people together to celebrate the 175thanniversary of Wisconsin State Fair,” Wisconsin State Fair Park CEO Shari Black said in a news release. “Delivering the best 11 days of summer to our fellow Wisconsinites is a job our team takes immense pride in, and we are grateful that so many Fairgoers joined us for this momentous anniversary.”
During the fair, a total of 82,284 people rode on the America 250 Wheel, the largest portable observation wheel in the world.
There were 93,120 people who went down the Giant Slide at the fair this year.
The Wisconsin Bakers Association baked and assembled more than 350,000 cream puffs that were sold to fairgoers
Chairman of the Wisconsin State Fair Park Board John Yingling oversaw the final of his 15 State Fairs before he retires in October.
“The Wisconsin State Fair showcases all the best Wisconsin has to offer,” he said. “And the support from the thousands of State Fair staff, partners, vendors and volunteers was a sight to behold. I’d like to personally thank each of the 925,749 fairgoers who helped us celebrate all that’s great about the Badger State together.”
Despite the success of the State Fair this year, the final night was marred by several fights on the fairgrounds. Officials reported seven arrests.
The 2027 Wisconsin State Fair will take place August 5 – 15, 2027.
Wisconsin State Fair Park will host the Snap-On IndyCar Weekend at the Milwaukee Mile this weekend from Aug. 28-30, and Harvest Fair will be held at the fairgrounds on Oct. 2-4.
