More than 1 million people — 1,043,350, to be exact — attended the 11-day Wisconsin State Fair from Aug. 3-13 in West Allis.

Ideal weather with mild temperatures, low humidity and very little rain no doubt helped boost attendance at the 2023 state fair, but diverse ag and educational exhibits, big-name entertainment, great carnival rides and a wide variety of food were the main reasons the Wisconsin State Fair welcomed more than 1 million visitors again this year. The fair truly offered something for everyone.

Shari Black, executive director and CEO of Wisconsin State Fair Park, agrees. “We’re blown away by the commitment our incredible fairgoers, exhibitors, vendors and staff have that continues to make the Wisconsin State Fair a time-honored tradition,” Black says. “Thank you to all who helped showcase our state during the best 11 days of summer.”

1 million visitors

There are very few state fairs left in the country that can still attract more than 1 million fairgoers like the Wisconsin State Fair. Two of those events are in neighboring states:

But then there are states like Michigan, which hasn’t had a state fair since 2009. Attendance dwindled to just over 200,000 visitors, and the fair was canceled.

The fun and excitement of the Wisconsin State Fair seems to grow with each passing year. All in all, celebrating 172 years of state fair tradition proved to be a favorite part of many families’ summer plans this year. Here are a few fun fair facts:

The Governor’s Blue Ribbon Livestock Auction raised a record-breaking $403,150. The grand champion steer, exhibited by Tori Crisp of Union Grove, Wis., was sold to Kenosha Beef for $40,000. More than $105,000 was raised in the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Meat Products Auction. Lastly, the Blue Ribbon Dairy Products Auction raised $50,155.

According to the Wisconsin State Fair, portions of funds raised at the auctions benefit Wisconsin’s youth agriculture programs and will provide scholarships.

Attendance boosters

In addition to great exhibits, entertainment and weather, I believe state fair officials did a great job of boosting attendance with admission promotions that not only provided fairgoers ways to save money, but also contributed to worthy causes.

Having the right balance between educational and commercial exhibits, entertainment, food, and fun activities, as well as providing admission promotions to get more families to come to the fair made for a very successful 2023 Wisconsin State Fair. A great stretch of weather didn’t hurt, either. Congratulations to Wisconsin State Fair organizers for a job well done.