Wisconsin State Fair set a new attendance record in 2024

Wisconsin State Fair attendance in 2024 set a new record, breaking the previous mark set the year before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted everything.

State Fair attracted 1,136,805 fairgoers during this year's 11-day event, eclipsing the previous best of 1,130,572 in 2019.

“The past few years we have focused on enhancing the State Fair Park experience and brand, as well as bringing additional value to our consumers. This year’s attendance and revenue are a testament to the hard work of everyone … and I am truly grateful to work with such an amazing team,” State Fair CEO Shari Black said in a statement announcing the new record.

The 2024 State Fair, which took place Aug. 1-11, was also the third consective year that more than 1 million guests visited the fair. The 2023 event drew 1,043,350, a slight increase over 2022's 1,003,450 fairgoers.

In 2021, with attendance depressed by effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the fair drew 841,074 visitors . Because of the pandemic, there was no 2020 fair . Prior to that, State Fair had attracted more than a million visitors for seven consecutive years.

Also worth gloating about: The Governor’s Blue Ribbon Livestock Auction raised $426,750 in 2024, up from $403,150 in 2023. This year's Blue Ribbon Dairy Products Auction raised $65,080.

Other notable numbers from State Fair's statistical wrapup:

A towering 352,000 Original Cream Puffs were served in 2024, plus 21,000 specialty flavored cream puffs (part of a short-term promotion this year).

Saz's BBQ served more than 28,000 orders of Deep-Fried Lemonade Bites, this year's Sporkies winner.

More than 90,000 trips were take on the SkyGlider at State Fair.

The 2025 Wisconsin State Fair will take place July 31-Aug. 10, 2025 at State Fair Park in West Allis.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin State Fair set a new attendance record in 2024