Wisconsin State Fair Wins Fair of the Year

By: Justin Thompson-Gee Facebook | Twitter

Posted: Oct 17, 2015 7:58 PM CDT

Wisconsin State Fair officials are honored to announce that Wisconsin State Fair was named “2015 Fair of the Year” at the 45th Annual International Entertainment Buyers Association (IEBA) Conference in Nashville, Tenn. this week.

IEBA is the leading trade organization for live entertainment industry professionals, and the annual conference features presentations, panel discussions and networking opportunities interlaced with more than 50 live performances from today’s hottest performers.

This year’s awards ceremony featured a performance by Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, who were inducted into the IEBA Hall of Fame. Legendary Country Music star Clint Black was also in attendance, as he received IEBA’s Career Achievement Award.

The staff at Wisconsin State Fair was honored to hear of the nomination in early September, especially considering this is the first time the fair has been nominated. Other notable nominees within the “Fair of the Year” category included the Kansas and Washington State Fairs. IEBA members vote for their top choice within each of 14 different award categories.

“For the Wisconsin State Fair to be recognized by this prestigious organization within the entertainment industry is a huge honor,” said Bruce Sullivan, Entertainment Director at Wisconsin State Fair. “And to win the award the first time we were even nominated makes it even more special for me and the entire staff at the fair.”

The top attended concerts held at the Main Stage presented by Potawatomi Hotel & Casino during the 2015 Wisconsin State Fair included Boston, Jason Derulo, Lee Brice with Chris Young and Casting Crowns. But the catalyst for being nominated this year may very well have been the uniqueness of securing Nik Wallenda, King of the High Wire, to attempt his longest walk ever, high above the Milwaukee Mile Speedway at this year’s fair.

Wallenda completed his feat of walking 1576 feet in only 30 minutes, while also adding additional fun and excitement to the show by talking to the audience throughout the walk, and even taking questions via social media that were relayed to him via the MC of the program. The event was a huge success and garnered the fair significant national and even international media coverage.

The 2015 Wisconsin State Fair, presented by U.S. Cellular, took place Thursday, Aug. 6 – Sunday, Aug. 16, and welcomed 1,033,053 visitors this year. The 2016 event will take place Aug. 4 – 14. The fair offers a unique experience to all who attend and is an exceptional value with 30 FREE entertainment stages, exciting rides and games in SpinCity, thousands of animals, endless family activities, events, contests, vendors and culinary delights. For the most up-to-date information, “stick with us” at WiStateFair.com or /WiStateFair on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest, and /theWIFair on YouTube.