November 3, 2024
Central Wisconsin State Fair, held annually in Marshfield, Wisconsin

10 reasons to hit the Central Wisconsin State Fair in Marshfield this week & weekend (we also have a podcast on it!)

The Central Wisconsin State Fair is the last of the three in summer, with the Northern one in Chippewa Falls happening in July and the State Fair in West Allis wrapping up over a week ago. Marshfield is the place for fun as we head into this weekend, and here are some highlights!

Marshfield hosts the Central Wisconsin State Fair Tuesday, August 20th through Sunday, August 25th with plenty of family fun including animal exhibits, live music, rides, food, and even demolition derby. This annual festival is held on its namesake fairgrounds, which is also home to the World’s Largest Round Barn. We always love these “world’s largest” features, and this barn, built in 1916, is a prime example of this design. The barn hosts a number of Central Wisconsin State Fair events.

Here are 10 reasons (out of many) to hit U.S. 10 or Highways 13, 80, or 97 and head to Marshfield to enjoy this year’s Fair!

  1. The annual “Dress A Cow” Contest. You don’t see this everywhere. With a theme of “Dancing Out the Barn Door,” people creatively adorn their cows in get-ups you simply won’t see in the fields. It happens Tuesday evening at 7.
  2. Mr. Ed’s Magical Midway: the rides, bumper cars, bungee, carnival challenges, the Ferris Wheel for the view… all kinds of fun can be had throughout each day at the Midway at Central Wisconsin State Fair
  3. The Family Entertainment Tent offers a unique blend of family-friendly acts who perform during the afternoon hours. They include the Hand-Picked Bluegrass Band on Tuesday. Enjoy polka with the Hayes Boys Orchestra followed by The Memories on Wednesday afternoon. That evening, Papa Bear Norton brings music and laughs. Thursday the Tent features The Gator’s Band, Jackson Taylor, Hub City Jazz, and evening headliner Bad Habitz. Friday features Dawn Marie, the Main Street Conservatory of Dance, and Star Six-Nine at night (remember dialing *69 to find out who called?) Saturday and Sunday you get a wide variety of live music plus Pedal Tractor Races at 1pm Saturday & Sunday for kids to participate in!
  4. See People Blow Glass – and maybe learn yourself! The Hot Glass Academy takes place starting at noon every day at the Fair and runs all day. Discover how they blow glass and find out how you can learn, too!
  5. Love Horses? Be there Friday night and Saturday. The Central Wisconsin State Fair Horse Pull takes place Friday at 6pm. The Draft Horse Show runs with events all day Saturday and Hitching on Sunday at Noon.
  6. Explore with the Wonders of Wisconsin. The Lang Information Center on the grounds includes the topics of Energy, Home Grown Goodness, Hunter Safety, Agriculture, and a Sunday Family Day that includes a cheese curd challenge and a seminar on birds.
  7. Learn about animals and see what the farms are doing. The animals brought for show, judging, and market come from farms all over Wisconsin. You can meet the farmers who raise and care for them and get closer to the goats, sheep, pigs, cows, chickens, and more.
  8. Bulls, Broncs -N- Barrels Saturday. Saturday night the Central Wisconsin State Fair presents an action-filled show with Pro Bull Riding, Bronc Riding, and Barrel Racing. Talk about an adrenaline rush!
  9. Live Music from Regional and National Acts at the Grandstand. We’re talking Dylan Scott Wednesday, Hairball on Thursday, and Daughtry on Friday. Right there in Marshfield!
  10. It ends Sunday afternoon with Demolition Derby! The Obsession With Destruction Demolition Derby offers – as it says – a SMASHING good time. Drivers duke it out to see who can outlast the others to make the finals. It’s just fun!
Get tickets and more information to the Central Wisconsin State Fair here.

Check out our podcast with Visit Marshfield Executive Director Matt McLean!
Host Eric Paulsen is joined by Matt McLean from Visit Marshfield to preview the Central Wisconsin State Fair. They also discuss fall and winter events including Maple Fall Fest and the Rotary Holiday Lights at Wildwood Park. They discuss unique shopping and restaurants in Marshfield, activities at Wenzel Family Plaza and the new Van de Hey Waters. History and art installations, too! Outside of town, is Jurustic Park, a variety of creameries and cheese factories, Powers Bluff and numerous state natural areas. Also covered? Some good places to stay and of course where to catch local brews. We cover it all in this episode of the State Trunk Tour Podcast!

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