There’s a magical festival in Wisconsin this summer that will cast a spell on attendees. A touring event called the Water Lantern Festival is coming to Milwaukee, Green Bay, and Madison (and possibly other cities). It promises to offer an experience like no other – a mesmerizing evening that allows participants to connect in a special and personal way. Here’s what you need to know about this summer’s Water Lantern Festival.
The event is based on a simple, yet profound idea – beautiful floating lanterns that carry special personal messages.
Each festival attendee receives a lantern kit, comprising a floating lantern, a marker for personalization, and an LED light source. All you need to do is sit back and wait for the sun to set.
As night falls, the lanterns are then carefully lit and released onto the water. They create a stunning visual display as they gently drift along the surface.
The soft glow of the lanterns, combined with their reflections on the water, creates a magical and tranquil ambiance. It’s one of the summer’s best photo opportunities.
It’s also a time for reflection. Releasing the lanterns onto the water symbolizes the release of one's aspirations, dreams, or burdens into the universe.
The Water Lantern Festival continues to add more dates and locations in Wisconsin and beyond. See the latest schedule of events on the Water Lantern Festival website. I know this is a Wisconsin summer event you won’t want to miss! There are a lot of other great festivals and events in Wisconsin this year as well. Here’s where to find them.
For 173 years, the Wisconsin State Fair has been a celebration of the industries and agriculture that are so vital to the state's rich history as well as its future. This year, over one million guests are expected to join the fun during the 11-day festival. Special exhibits, entertainment, rides and attractions, shopping, and of course, food are prominent elements of this outstanding annual event. And speaking of food, the 2024 Wisconsin State Fair will feature exactly 100 new foods to sample! Here is just a taste (pun intended) of what you can expect:
Whether you are in the mood for innovative takes on classic Fair foods like the Hot Ham and Glazers donut sandwich or adventurous flavor combinations such as the Jalapeño Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough On-A-Stick, this year, the vendors have pulled out all the stops with mouthwatering meals and treats that are as Insta-worthy as they are delicious.
Of course, the Fair just isn’t the Fair without food on a stick, and this summer, you’ll find plenty of new options – from a Loaded Gyro Bratzel to Fried Chicken and Waffles On-A-Stick. Dessert comes on a stick, too, with a Strawberries and Cream Waffle Stick.
Pickles are making quite a showing at the Fair this year, starting with “Dill”icious Tots from Knucklehead, bringing together two beloved snack foods and smothering them with bacon, chives, and a secret dill sauce. Pickle lovers will find another delicious dill-potato combo with Attavio’s Concessions’ Dill Pickle Poutine. You’ll even be able to drink your pickles with a piña colada called Pickles in Paradise and a Purple Pickle Lemonade.
Funnel cake is a Fair staple, but this year it takes on a slew of new shapes and flavors, both savory and sweet. Go savory with Cheesy Sriracha Funnel Cake Bites or Funnel Cake Root Beer Battered Cheese Curds, take the classic sweet version up a notch with a Strawberry Funnel Cake Sandwich, or experience the perfect marriage of sweet and salty with a foot-long Funnel Dog.
If you’re an Elvis fan or, more specifically, a fan of his famously favorite peanut butter and banana sandwich, make it a point to try Elvis Nachos at Slim McGinn’s Irish Pub. It’s yet another salty-sweet concoction made with potato chips drenched in peanut butter banana sauce, topped with peanuts, banana chips, and bacon.
Foodies of all kinds will be in heaven with all of the new additions to the list this year. The rolls alone will be coming in hot with the Dirty Chai Cinnamon Roll Lumpia (pictured above), Fish Fry Roll, a Jalepeño Cheese Curd Roll, and a Buffalo Chicken Dip Roll. Trust us, that’s just the beginning!
All this new food will surely make you thirsty, but not to worry! Among the exactly 100 new culinary delights at the Fair will be lots of creative and refreshing beverages. Try a Glazed Donut Coffee Float, a Key Lime Pie Iced Cooler, a Shark Attack Boba, a Strawberry Lemonjito, or a savory Summer Ceviche Mocktail – just to name a few.
The Original Cream Puff is a 100-year-old tradition at the Wisconsin State Fair, and in honor of the centennial, for the first time ever, four new Cream Puff flavors will be making their debut at the Fair! Root Beer Float, Raspberry Cheesecake, English Toffee, and Chocolate Birthday Cake Cream Puffs will each be available on select days and in limited quantities.Commemorating the year 1924, when the Original Cream Puff first came to the Wisconsin State Fair, there will be only 1,924 of these new creations available on each day. There will also be a Cream Puff Soda at Sodalish in celebration of the 100th anniversary.
Perhaps the summer’s greatest food competition, Sporkies and Drinkies, will once again crown a winner in each category. Out of 57 total entries, eight incredible foods and four refreshing beverages have already made it to the finals. On July 31, just ahead of opening day, the winners will be announced. Every one of these ingenious dishes and drinks should be on your fair foods bucket list, so look for the massive 13-foot Golden Sporks and Drinkies statues in front of the 12 finalists. You can also sample any or all of the 57 foods and drinks that were entered – keep an eye out for a participation sticker on display at each vendor.
If it isn’t already obvious, you’ll want to come hungry to the 2024 Wisconsin State Fair, but we’ll give you one more reason – Crazy Grazin’ Day! On Tuesday, August 6, more than 30 vendors will offer smaller portions of fair favorites at reduced prices so you can sample more food and drinks than ever. Participating vendors will display a poster so they’ll be easy to identify. You can also pick up a Crazy Grazin’ brochure on-site at one of the Fair Information Centers, or print a Crazy Grazin’ Day map and menu from the Wisconsin State Fair website.
Also, listen to our latest podcast episode about the Wisconsin State Fair! Our hosts were live at the fair, talking to locals, exploring the cream puff scene, and much more.
Are you ready for the foodie adventure of the year at the 173rd annual State Fair? Find all the information you need to plan your visit, including tickets and a complete list of new foods, on the Wisconsin State Fair website. You can also follow the Wisconsin State Fair on Facebook for announcements, sneak peeks, and more. Come hungry and have a great time!
For those who live around Milwaukee, summer usually means one thing – it's almost time for the Wisconsin State Fair! This massive event takes place over 11 days in August, and locals may spend the other 11 months looking forward to it! We can't blame them – after spending a few minutes looking over the plans for the 2024 Wisconsin State Fair, scheduled to take place from August 1st to 11th, we think this year might be the best yet.
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Like all great state fairs, there's a little something for everyone here. There are traditional agricultural exhibits and events paying tribute to the traditional roots of the show. Those pair nicely with live entertainment, wild and wacky rides, and some of the most over-the-top fried food items we've ever seen. It all comes together into the event of the year in Wisconsin. We picked out our 12 most anticipated events for the Wisconsin State Fair this year, so read on to start making your plans!
Also, make sure to listen to our latest podcast episode about the Wisconsin State Fair! Our hosts were live at the fair, talking to locals, exploring the cream puff scene, and so much more.
The 2024 Wisconsin State Fair is about to kick off on August 1st, and this year's event looks as exciting as ever –if not more. This is a ticketed event, with admission tickets ranging from $13 to $18. Some major activities have additional fees, and package deals are available for those who want to pack a lot of action into their day. Here are some of the attractions we're looking forward to the most in 2024.
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Best Agricultural Events At The 2024 Wisconsin State Fair
This is where the magic happens – the main show barn of the Wisconsin State Fair. Through the eleven days of the Fair, cattle and horses will be judged here, and the best of the best will be shown off. If you're interested in seeing how business is done here, make sure to attend the Governor's Blue Ribbon Livestock Auction, where prize winners fetch a pretty penny.
Kids and adults alike will love the Ultimate Board Game Spectacular in Compeer Financial Discovery Barnyard. Play agriculture-themed learning games and activities like Operation: Vet Edition, Guess Who? Featuring Ag Careers, and Gone Fishin'. You'll learn all about Wisconsin's diverse agriculture industry, and you can even play "I Spy" with the baby animals.
Wisconsin is unofficially known as the dairy state, as anyone who has attended a Packers game can attest to! This is where you'll learn all about the industry and witness some fascinating displays of the history and technology that make this industry possible. It will likely make you want to head over to the nearest cheese curd vendor!
A unique exhibit combining the history of farming in Wisconsin with modern technology, this interactive area features exhibits relating to electricity and natural gas, as well as activities for kids like building their own Solar Power Pollinator. The park is full of events that allow kids to get up close and personal with local wildlife, like raptors, in a safe environment, of course.
Best Live Entertainment At The 2024 Wisconsin State Fair
This is one of the best spots at the Fair for family fun. No matter the day, there'll be some sort of unique variety show going on – this year's offerings include hip-hop juggling, science experiments, physical comedy, and so much more.
Multiple venues, including the largest – the Bank Five Nine Amphitheater, offer live music every night at the Wisconsin State Fair. Some of this year's featured performers include Journey From The Heart, Gaelic Storm, and rising country superstar MacKenzie Porter.
Who let the dogs out? Pooch lovers will love this unique activity where top performers team up with dogs to do stunts like frisbee and agility courses. Police K-9 units will also be on hand to show off their dogs' unique abilities in the field.
Sooooooeeee! This fun-filled event, located on Wetley Way and Second Street, is one of the most famous events of the Fair. Surprisingly speedy porkers will take to the track in a thrilling fan favorite. Who will win this year - Hank, Brooke, Maverick, or Harvey?
The Wisconsin State Fair is set amid a beautiful natural landscape, and several peaceful gardens surround it where you can escape the crowds. Our favorite is the Exploratory Garden, which features small ponds, springs, and even a Japanese Garden. There are plenty of interactive activities for small kids, including a life-size chess board.
One of the most recognizable icons of the Wisconsin State Fair, this towering slide allows guests to slide down 200 feet with only a burlap sack under them. Rides on the Giant Slide are only $4!
It wouldn't be the State Fair without over-the-top amusement rides, and you'll find them at SpinCity. Ranging from gentle kiddy rides to the most thrilling ones around, SpinCity offers options for guests, including unlimited ride wristbands and per-ride tickets. If you're taking a break from the rides, you can win prizes at the many carnival-style games.
A trip to the Wisconsin State Fair isn't complete without a ride on the SkyGlider. Presented by Kwik Trip, this cable car ride can transport you across the Fair for $6, or you can take a round-trip for $10. The views of the Fair are stunning, especially at sunset.
Have you attended the Wisconsin State Fair in past years? What are your most anticipated attractions at the 2024 Wisconsin State Fair? Let us know in the comments section! If you want the most up-to-the-minute details, check out the Facebook page of the Wisconsin State Fair as the event gets closer.
While you're in the Milwaukee suburb of West Allis, make sure you stop by the West Allis Cheese & Sausage Shop for some of the most delicious deli goods in Wisconsin. And if you want to stay as close to the Fairgrounds as it gets, check into the Hampton Inn and Suites Milwaukee West – there are plenty of dates still available for the Fair, but they're going fast!
