Wholesome State Fair Fun

Early this summer, I passed many big purple “Grand Champion of Summer” ribbons on billboards along I-94. These ads were a constant reminder of the approaching Wisconsin State Fair that rouses the guilt I contained for not being compelled to go.

While I’ve never been big on state fairs, there are many locals who look forward to the opening day of the Wisconsin State Fair like a child brimming over with anticipation for Christmas Day. In contrast, I usually have to force myself to attend, just to say that I went since it’s the Wisconsin thing to do.

It isn’t that I hate the Fair; when I do go I have a good time, it’s just another world to me. I rarely went as a child; consequently, I’m awkward around farm animals. To clarify, 1) most horses hate me; I’ve been bitten and trampled twice (so much for being gentle giants). 2) Pigs are kind of gross (except for racing piglets). 3) Cows are cute, but foreign to me.

I realized I was a city girl when I went to college in a rural town in southeastern Minnesota. There wasn’t much to do when it turned cold outside since I could no longer bike, rollerblade or hike around the lakes. For the first couple of years I was miserable until I found a niche of great friends (and the local bars). For four years I longed for the city lights, bustling streets, daunting architectures, and 24-hour diners in Milwaukee.

My lack of devotion to the State Fair could also be due to my upbringing. I wasn’t raised around farm animals nor did I grow up waking at dawn, sheering sheep, plowing fields or bailing hay. Had I, maybe I’d be more like my college roommate, Sarah, who lived with her family in Iowa for nearly 20 years. Living in a place where she was routinely subjected to the farming community, she fell in love with horseback riding, farming, and among other things, corn (go figure).

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that (let me make myself clear), it’s just something unfamiliar to me. I’ll even admit to being a little ignorant. On the other hand, I know enough to admire those who live to raise animals or produce goods that I use daily and take for granted as I buy them for a couple bucks at the grocery store. Seldom do I think of the harvesting done to make the whole wheat toast I eat every morning, or how many cows were milked to get the half gallon of 1% I drink every week; or even the number of chickens raised to sell for food so I have a decent meal each night.

Clearly, there’s a lot that goes into this industry annually, hence the amount that also goes into the State Fair. This year I decided to see what was involved and to hopefully learn more about an industry I know little about.

Nearly a million fairgoers enjoy the annual, fun-filled State Fair each year. Last Saturday I finally visited the 156th annual State Fair and this time I went with an open mind.

By the last weekend of the Fair, thousands of cream puffs have been devoured, countless mops have been sold at the Expo Center, over 40 varieties of food on a stick have been eaten, and nearly 100,000 bottles of water have been consumed.

Eric and I planned to meet Justin and his sister Jennifer outside of the gates in the late afternoon. As we waited dark clouds began to roll in. Like last Thursday, I wasn’t going to let a little rain ruin my plans.

When we finally met Justin and Jennifer, we also met some sprinkles of rain. After paying the $8 admission, I noted how high it was in comparison to the ten cent admittance when the Fair first began. Today, it’s still pretty reasonable though.

After passing along the Midway where rides spun, threw, jerked, and whirled children all fair-long, I realized I’ve out grown that aspect of entertainment. While I’d still enjoy a ride on the Tilt-a-Whirl (my favorite as a youngster) I’m much more reluctant to spend the excessive fee for one spin on an amusement ride.

As the four of us strolled along the different pavilions and exhibitions, I heard the thunderous gallops of the Budweiser Clydesdales as the eight-horse hitch made a loop around the Ag Village. Their hooves were the size of my head! We admired their beautiful stature for a few rotations and eventually went on our merry way.

We stopped briefly at the Fourth Annual "Mooing Contest" hosted by Cousins Subs. Earlier in the day, 100 contestants gave it their best moo to raise money for the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation, as well as, a “moo jacket,” $1000, plus Cousins Subs and Sargento Cheese for a year. According to Cousins, all the contestants this year helped raise over $2000 for the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation.

Photos from Cousinssubs.com

As we approached the contest, it was down to an unprecedented “moo-off” between the finalists. In the end, Rodney Knapp from Muskego was named this year’s Grand Champion!

After watching the finalists moo their hearts out, I was in the MOOd for some ice cold milk (forgive the pun, I had to). Justin, Jennifer, Eric and I ventured across the park to Herb Kohl’s Milkhouse where about 160,000 glasses of milk are sold each year. For only 25 cents a glass, milk lovers stood in line to sample a variety of unique flavors – mocha, vanilla cherry and root beer – and not so unusual flavors like chocolate and strawberry. I guzzled the root beer flavored milk and tossed half of the vanilla cherry into a garbage can on my way to the Poultry and Rabbit Pavilion. Just our luck, the rain picked up as we entered.

While we took shelter, I weaved up and down the rows of wire cages holding a variety of adorable rabbits and fluffy hens, ducks and roosters. This was my favorite stop at the Fair.

When the rain letup we made our way to the Wisconsin Product Pavilion that steeped in Wisconsin agricultural history and overflowed with plate-pleasing Wisconsin grown or homemade foods like cherries, cheeses, sausages, potatoes, berries, apples, and honey. We didn’t spend much time here, but this cheesehead got to take a couple cheese curds and a dollop of honey to go.

As we aimed for the Wisconsin Expo Center we stopped by the World Café to catch a glimpse of the Native American dancers. Cloaked in long headdresses made of feathers and beads, the men and women dancers stomped and jumped in circles while chanting along to the rhythm of the drums.

Also on the way, we stopped by the New Berlin Lions Club Roasted Corn stand where 108,012 ears of corn were sold last year at the Fair, according to the Wisconsin State Fair Foundation. This is a treat I never pass up. I swear the Fair’s corn on the cob tastes better than any other, especially with a thin coat of butter and a lot of salt!

Finally, we made it to the air-conditioned Expo Center. A cool burst of air caught my hair as I opened a main entrance door. It felt good to get out of the humidity for a while.

In the Expo Center lobby was the Young People’s Art Exhibit. I took some time to peruse the gallery that was brimming with both two and three dimensional masterpieces by youths in grades six through 12. I was speechless as I admired a wall of paintings done by 12-year-old students. I wondered if I had their talent at that age.

 

Inside the Expo Center it was packed wall to wall with stands or booths and flocks of fairgoers. Fair-shoppers could find anything ranging from household gadgets, jewelry, home improvements, textiles, crafts, culinary delicacies, pet supplies, books, toys, and even a kitchen sink! Here I found a vendor with an obscene amount of Packer and Badger paraphernalia and a booth that sold home sown quilts that my mom could make. I also salivated over homemade peanut butter fudge and dill pickles the length of my man hands.

Speaking of food, outside the Expo Center was the Cream Puff Parlor where nearly 100 people stood in line either inside or at the express window waiting for an original Wisconsin State Fair cream puff. This year, like the last few, patrons had the option of buying a six-pack to take home in a to-go box (some are even insulated to keep them fresh while you walk around the fairgrounds). It’s no wonder how almost 400,000 cream puffs are sold each year and why Wisconsinites have a larger waistline at this time.

I don’t know about you, but the hype of the cream puffs make me crave one every year, but when I get it 1) I can’t finish it; 2) I don’t like it. Keeping this in mind, I opted for a chocolate éclair that I shared with Justin. I had one big bite and couldn’t stomach the richness of the custard filling after all of the fair food. Maybe next year I’ll graduate to a second bite.

It was time to leave, so we pushed our way through the crowd that moved en masse to the exits. For someone who usually isn’t enthusiastic about the annual State Fair, I left the grounds feeling very pleased with my evening. I’ll even say that I had a great time!

Throughout its run, the State Fair has created memories that have transcended generations and remained bountiful in rich traditions of the state of Wisconsin – agriculture, horticulture, racing, and family.

Even a city girl like me can discover its appeal. Even though I won’t admit that I had fun to my friends who sneer at the Fair, I probably will make another trip to the grounds next year, especially if those billboards keep provoking me to do so as they have in recent years.

Comments

[Craig]

Every time I go to the State Fair I wonder why I'm going. The people-watching is fantastic, but the food is sub par (I don't get the cream puff love either -- I'm pretty sure I could make a better one at home) and there's little to do except watch animals. Well, and the Expo Center -- doesn't it feel like an infomercial that exploded inside a building?

And yet, when I left the State Fair this year, I felt like I had had fun as well. But why do I keep going back?

[Amanda]

I really enjoyed reading the beginning of this post. It was neat hearing your perspective and I appreciate your honesty and openness. I on the other hand really love the State Fair. I'm excited to go every year and take a six-pack of cream puffs home with me.

[Mary]

I'm in love with this blog. I find that everytime I can appreciate the beauty that you display for the readers! Thanks for getting me excited for so many activities. I'm not directly living in Milwaukee, but, it makes me want to move or at least visit more often!

[Eric]

Yeah the creme puffs make me gag...those cookie icing sandwiches, though...mmmm...yummy

[KarenC]

Craig, you're funny. I'm glad we see eye to eye on the Fair. I especially liked your description of the Expo Center. I couldn’t have put it better myself. Yay for people watching too!
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Mary-
Thanks for the kind words. That’s what this site is supposed to do. Now, you should visit Milwaukee!

[Melanie]

If only I could have gotten that damn monster cookie...