A Fair Shake
A State Fair rookie (finally) goes whole hog.
Somehow, it took until my 45th year as a Wisconsinite to experience my first State Fair. It was about halfway through my visit with a few MilMag co-workers when my attitude changed from This is fine, I would maybe do this again under the right circumstances to I AM DEFINITELY COMING BACK NEXT YEAR. That epiphany came courtesy of Snoop Hoggy Hogg.
Snoop H-O-Double-G was the absolute unit who trundled around the track at the center of the Saz’s Famous Racing Pigs arena (a sponsorship one could take as winkingly ironic or callously nauseating). Snoop did not win his race, but the entire spectacle – from the twangy, carnival-barking commentary to my friendly porcine wagers – won me over, big time.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
Am I going back to State Fair Park for the pig races? No, I’m going for the midway rides and the weird crafts and the grilled cheeses and the beer and the close encounters with majestic livestock and the punnily named blue-ribbon pies nobody can eat and the beer and the bands and the butter-dipped sweet corn and the beer. And the pig races.
And the people watching! This urban celebration of rural stuff is the gooiest melting pot. Still, my favorite observation of the Wisconsin human condition came courtesy of our spice-averse managing editor, who sweatily labored to finish his 10-inch Peño Pretzel Popper Brat, the 2022 Sporkie award winner. (He did – never a doubt, except for the whole last 8 inches or so.) Archer, maybe there’s a dill pickle doughnut or beer cheese pretzel lava cake with your name on it this year.
Night Out
BY ALLI WATTERS
As a seasoned State Fair devotee, I have an important tidbit for Wisconsinites – The State Fair is best at night. Let me lay it out for you:
Temperature: Cooler. We can’t be out in the full sun on a sweaty August day.
Crowds: What crowds? Everyone else has to get home and put the kids to bed.
Entertainment: It’s headliner hours, meaning all of the best acts are just getting started.
Free Parking: You’ll probably snag a great spot from someone heading home for the night – without having to pay a dime.
Sunset: Consider syncing your midway visit to catch a top-notch view of the setting sun from the Ferris wheel or the top of the giant slide around 8 p.m.
Center Stage
Here are four shows you won’t want to miss.
BY ALLI WATTERS
1. Cirque at the Fair
DAILY
Aerial artists, acrobat experts and jugglers are the stars of the tent at this new daily show.
Free with admission
2. Alabama
AUG. 3
It wouldn’t be the State Fair without an epic country concert. When the lineup was first announced, this was the most popular seller.
Special ticket required: $65+
3. Shaggy With Salt-N-Pepa
AUG. 4
Hip-hop legends are teaming up for this concert with “Push It,” “Boombastic” and “It Wasn’t Me” all in the set list.
Special ticket required: $65+
4. K-9 Sports Arena
DAILY
Celebrate the dog days of summer with this pup show. There will be dock diving, Frisbee, an agility course and more.
Free with admission
The Wisconsin State Fair is Aug. 3-13.
