Central Wisconsin State Fair: Ultimate Guide 2025
Each summer, Wisconsin has many festivals and events, including three different state fairs. The Central Wisconsin State Fair is one of the best summer events to attend and offers a variety of fun things to do, from attending a show at the Grandstand to enjoying the thrilling carnival rides.
As a local to Wisconsin, I highly recommend visiting the Central Wisconsin State Fair, as it is such a fun family-friendly event. In this post, you will find everything you need to know about visiting the fair, including when it is, where it is, and the best things to do while there.
When Is the Central Wisconsin State Fair?
The fair is held each year in the summer, typically at the end of August. This year, the fair dates are Tuesday, August 20th to Sunday, August 25th, 2024.
Where Is the Central Wisconsin State Fair?
The Central Wisconsin State Fair is held in the town of Marshfield, which is located in the middle of Wisconsin.
The best way to get to the fair is to drive, and it’s located within a 2-3 hour drive from many of Wisconsin’s most populated areas. More specifically, the fair is around 193 miles from Milwaukee, 155 miles from Green Bay, 141 miles from Madison, and 81 miles from Eau Claire.
For those coming from one of the bigger cities in Wisconsin, it may be a good idea to spend a night or two at one of the hotels in Marshfield, such as the Hampton Inn & Suites or Hotel Marshfield. Both these hotels are highly rated and located close to the fairgrounds. Staying 1-2 nights will give you much more time to enjoy everything the fair has to offer.
Central Wisconsin State Fair Tickets
Tickets for the fair can be purchased online, at the Central WI Fair Office, or at the entrance gates to the fairgrounds.
For a day pass to the fair, it is $10 per adult or $5 for children (ages 5-12). You can also purchase a season pass which includes entry for the entire week and costs $30 per adult or $15 per child.
Additionally, there are a few Grandstand concerts and shows that happen each year at the fair. These tickets must be purchased separately, either online or at the fair office. Ticket prices vary based on the event.

Things To Do At Central Wisconsin State Fair
There are so many things to do at the fair, for both kids and adults. Below is a list of the best things to do during the fair.
1. Attend a Concert at the Grandstand
Each year, the fair has concert events at the Grandstand. These events require separate tickets, which can be purchased from the fair’s website or at the gate. Ticket prices vary based on the performer, and some performances can sell out sooner than others.
There are a variety of ticket options including Grandstand seat tickets or track-side tickets for those who enjoy dancing the night away. You can also purchase VIP tickets which is a special section in front of the stage and includes 2 drinks.
For the 2025 fair, there are two different concerts at the Grandstand:
Dylan Scott Concert – Wednesday, August 21st at 7:30 pm
This concert is perfect for fans of country music, as Dylan Scott is an award-winning musician who has been nominated for Best New Country Artist. Some of his most popular songs include “My Girl,” “Nobody,” and “New Truck.”
Hairball Band Concert – Thursday, August 22nd at 7:30 pm
If you love rock music, this is the event for you. Hairball Band is a band that covers a wide variety of songs, including ones from Van Halen, KISS, Motley Crue, Queen, Journey, and Aerosmith. The concert is sure to be a high-energy, exciting event.
2. See the Bulls, Broncs -N- Barrels Show at the Grandstand
Another exciting Grandstand event is the Bulls, Broncs -N- Barrels Show, which is put on by the Rice Bull Riding Company.
This is an action-packed, bull-riding show with professional bull riders. During the show, you will see bull riding, bullfighting, barrel racing, and more. It is an exciting event that is sure to entertain the whole family.
The Bulls, Broncs -N- Barrels Show will be held on Saturday, August 24th at 7:30 pm.
3. Play Games at the Carnival
The carnival is one of the most fun activities of the fair and is a family-friendly event perfect for people of all ages. Each year, there are a variety of carnival games to play for prizes, as well as thrilling carnival rides.
The carnival is open each day of the fair, so you can play games and enjoy the rides at any time while the fair is open.
4. Try some Delicious Fair Food
Another must-do when visiting the fair is to try some of the delicious food. There are plenty of options for fair food, including corndogs, hot dogs, cheese curds, elephant ears, and of course lots of tasty fried food.
Wisconsin is also home to the Original Cream Puff, which is a must-try food item when attending a state fair.
5. Check Out the Animal Exhibits
Each year, the fair has several animal and non-animal exhibits that you can visit. There are both Open Class Exhibits and Junior Class Exhibits which are run by the kids and teens of the 4H Club. It is definitely worth walking around to see some of the different animals while at the fair.
6. Fairest of the Fair Contest
The Fairest of the Fair contest is where young women of local Wood County compete for the title “Fairest of the Fair.” The fun competition is based on several factors, including personality, professionalism, speaking and writing skills, creativity, and involvement in the community.
During the winner’s 1-year long reign, they help to promote the fair and fair events through radio interviews, and public appearances, as well as attend each day of the Central Wisconsin State Fair to greet and interact with fairgoers.
7. Watch the Smaller Fair Events
Throughout the week, there will be several smaller fair events that happen. These events
include things like pedal tractor races, pig races, duck races, and more. These smaller events are fun to watch, especially for kids.
8. See the Draft Horse Show
Each year, the fair features a draft horse show. At this event, you can see the magnificent draft horses in action, which is a unique experience. This is especially fun for kids who are interested in horses.

FAQs
The fair is famous for its delicious treat, the Original Cream Puff. Cream Puffs are a type of pastry with a sweet, cream filling. They have been sold at the fair since 1924, and today they are a must-try food item when going to the event.
Day passes to the fair for adults are $10 and $5 for children (ages 5-12). You can also purchase a season pass which is $30 for adults and $15 for children and allows you to go to the fair any day that the fair runs that year.
Wisconsin has three different state fairs. These include the Wisconsin State Fair held in West Allis, the Northern Wisconsin State Fair held in Chippewa Falls, and the Central Wisconsin State Fair held in Marshfield. Additionally, many smaller county fairs happen throughout the year.
The Central Wisconsin State Fair is held each year in Marshfield, WI. Marshfield is a small town located in the center of the state and is around a 2-hour drive from the state capital Madison, WI.
Final Thoughts: Central Wisconsin State Fair
Attending the Central Wisconsin State Fair is sure to be a fun activity for the entire family. There are a variety of activities and events at the fair, from attending a concert at the grandstand to playing carnival games and enjoying the fair food.
While visiting Wisconsin, make sure to check out some of the other fun events that happen throughout the state such as attending a Wisconsin Rodeo. Other fun things to do include visiting one of Wisconsin’s beautiful lakes or going to some of the smaller towns like Oxford or Genoa City.
More Wandering Michigan Wisconsin
23 BEST Things To Do In Fond du Lac Wisconsin 2025
21 Fun Things to Do in Stevens Point Wisconsin for 2025
Backpacking Wisconsin: 25 Trails To Hike In 2025
11 Best Hot Springs in Wisconsin
7 Clearest Lakes in Wisconsin
The 7 Best Rodeos in Wisconsin to Visit in 2025
11 Best Things to Do Near Chetek Wisconsin
15 Fun Things to Do in Chippewa Falls Wisconsin
15 Things to Do in Oxford Wisconsin in 2025 From a Local
15 Things to Know Before Moving to Wisconsin