WEST ALLIS, Wis. — The 2026 Wisconsin State Fair has officially come to a close after celebrating its 175th anniversary and welcoming 925,749 fairgoers during its 11-day run.
Attendance increased 3.7% from 2025, when the fair was shortened to 10 days after historic flooding forced the cancellation of the final day. The 2026 total was lower than the record 1.13 million visitors reported in 2024 but represented another strong year for one of Wisconsin’s largest summer traditions.
The anniversary celebration included both new attractions and longtime favorites. The America 250 Wheel made its Midwest debut, carrying riders 230 feet above the fairgrounds. A total of 82,284 people rode the giant observation wheel, while the popular Giant Slide recorded 93,120 rides.
Food remained one of the biggest attractions. More than 350,000 Original Cream Puffs were produced, including a special Fair-ischino Cherry Cream Puff created for the anniversary. The Sporkies-winning Birria Flamin’ Bombs also proved popular, with more than 32,000 orders served.
Agriculture and competition continued to be at the heart of the event. Nearly 10,000 competitive exhibits and almost 8,000 animal entries were showcased, while more than 2,700 ribbons were awarded in categories ranging from art and gardening to history.
The fair also supported local hunger relief efforts. During Piggy Wiggly $5 Day, visitors donated approximately 59,000 pounds of food and connected more than $13,000 to the Hunger Task Force.
“Whether you took a spin 230 feet in the air on the America 250 Wheel, raised a glass of Cream Puff Ale or created new traditions with your loved ones, we feel blessed to have brought so many people together,” Wisconsin State Fair Park CEO Shari Black said.
The 2026 fair added Sunday, Aug. 16, after 11 days of food, entertainment, rides, agricultural competitions and family activities. For many visitors, the 175th anniversary offered a chance to celebrate a tradition that has connected generations of Wisconsin families.
The anniversary also demonstrated the fair’s continued importance as a gathering place for people from across Wisconsin and beyond. From first-time visitors to families returning for traditions passed down through generations, the fairgrounds were filled with people enjoying familiar attractions while discovering new foods, rides and entertainment.
With another successful fair now in the books, organizers are preparing for the event’s return in 2027. The State Fair is scheduled to return to West Allis from Aug. 5 through Aug. 15, giving fairgoers another opportunity to enjoy the food, agriculture, music and traditions that have made the event a fixture of Wisconsin summers for generations.
