Wisconsin State Fair sees 841,074 visitors for 2021 run; nearly 300K Original Cream Puffs sold
WEST ALLIS, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Returning after a year hiatus, the Wisconsin State Fair 2021 saw a total of 841,074 visitors during the event's 11-day run.
State Fair officials said in a news release, the staff was delighted to welcome fairgoers back through the gates to enjoy the exhibits, entertainment, food, rides and shopping while also learning about the people, places and industries that make Wisconsin remarkable.
"We have an overwhelming amount of gratitude for the opportunity to have hosted the 170th Wisconsin State Fair and celebrate everything we should be so proud of in our great state,” said Kathleen O’Leary, chief executive officer of Wisconsin State Fair Park. “Seeing smiling faces enter our gates again after 724 days was a tremendous accomplishment for our staff, vendors, exhibitors, and board of directors. While we were faced with challenging weather conditions for several days, we persevered to provide the best experience possible for all.”
According to the State Fair, more than 8,000 animals were entered in competitions this year, and over 7,000 Competitive Exhibit entries were judged. Over 2,500 exhibitors participated in Fair competitions, including livestock shows, horticulture, textiles, crafts, culinary, cheese, meat, wine, and others. Additionally, Fairgoers enjoyed the splendor of nearly 40,000 flowers and plants on display throughout the Fair Park.
The Governor’s Blue Ribbon Livestock Auction raised $303,800, the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Meat Products Auction raised nearly $109,000, and the Blue Ribbon Dairy Products Auction raised over $54,000. A significant portion of the nearly half of a million dollars in funds raised at these auctions benefit Wisconsin’s youth agriculture programs and provide scholarships.
The Wisconsin Bakers Association sold nearly 300,000 Original Cream Puffs to Fairgoers who craved the iconic Wisconsin dessert. In the Wisconsin Products Pavilion, the Real Wisconsin Cheese Grill sold over 47,000 grilled cheese sandwiches and the Wisconsin Potato Growers served up more than 26,000 baked potatoes during the Fair.
With the completed Central Mall project and improvements, Fairgoers were able to enjoy the heart of the Fair Park in an entirely new way, including shaded seating and relaxation areas, landscape lighting, and swings. This area will be enjoyed for years to come and will be further enhanced for the 2022 Wisconsin State Fair to include the new Central Mall Restroom.
The 2022 Wisconsin State Fair, presented by UScellular, will take place Aug. 4 – 14.