The Wisconsin State Fair has plenty to offer during its 11-day run.
There is plenty of fried food, music, activities, animals, rides, games and shopping, and — not that you need to be reminded — a variety of foods-on-a-stick. “We have bacon wrapped shrimp tempura on a stick, something new called a brewton on a stick, we have lots of desserts on a stick, cheesecake on a stick, deep fried brownies on a stick, deep fried cookie dough on a stick, deep fried pizza on a stick is new this year.”
Also new this year, Kristi Chuckel with the State Fair says, is the Fat Elvis! “It’s actually a peanut butter cup wrapped in bacon deep fried in banana batter on a stick.”
Chuckel says more venders are offering gluten-free foods and other edible items for folks with food sensitivities. Of course, the most highly sought-after guilty pleasure does not come on a stick. The iconic Original Cream Puff has been sold at the Fair since 1924, with an average of 350,000 consumed each year.
There are plenty of air-conditioned buildings to keep visitors cool; they have more shaded, seated areas; and double the amount of cooling misters throughout the grounds. There is beefed-up security, and plenty of parking — including shuttles from park-and-ride lots. Wisconsin State Fair Park continues in West Allis through August 12.
AUDIO: Jackie Johnson report 1:11