There Are 100 New Foods Available At The Wisconsin State Fair This Summer

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:

New Food Offerings

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.

Sporkies & Drinkies Competition

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.

Crazy Grazin’ Day

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!