Wisconsin State Fair Park

In 189,1the Wisconsin Agricultural Society purchased nearly 100 acres of farmland in what is now known as the Milwaukee suburb of West Allis, WI, in order for them to establish a permanent site for the Wisconsin State Fair. The Wisconsin State Fair Park is a fairgrounds and exhibition center and has been the location of the Wisconsin State Fair since 1892.

The Wisconsin State Fair Park grounds are a site of historical significance – first for the one of two remaining pre-historic effigy mounds built by the Woodlands People from 100 to 1000 AD and then for later becoming a staging ground for Camp Harvey during the Spanish-American War and World Wars I and II.

Football aficionados will remember that Wisconsin State Fair Park was also home to the football stadium informally known as the Dairy Bowl. It was here that the NFL’s Green Bay Packers were hosted when they played in Milwaukee from 1934 to 1951. The NFL Championship game was played there in 1939.

Wisconsin State Fair Park is also home to these other venues:

Ag Village – is a multi-purpose venue offering several flexible spaces that are ideal for agricultural and non-agricultural events. Its single-level and bi-level Livestock Barns feature office spaces, restrooms, showers, ticket booths, to name a few. Diverse types of events can be hosted in Ag Village, such as animal agriculture, flea markets, rummage sales, open air events, and dances and competitions. In addition, these spaces can also be used for storage.

Milwaukee Mile – holds the premier distinction as being the oldest operating motor speedway in the world. Since the year 1903, it has hosted at least one auto race annually, except during the US involvement in World War II. Milwaukee Mile operated as a dirt track until 1954 when the track was paved. It seats about 40,000 spectators. The track has held events by major auto racing associations such as American Automobile Association, USAC, NASCAR, CART/Champ World Car Series and IndyCar Series.

Pettit National Ice Center – opened in December 1992 and was named for Milwaukee philanthropists Jane and Lloyd Pettit. It is an indoor ice skating facility that features two international-sized skating rinks and a 400-meter speed skating oval. Pettit National Ice Center is known as an official US Olympic training facility that also hosts a skating school which offers figure skating, hockey and speed skating classes for children and adults. In addition, the Pettit Center offers a wheelchair hockey league and special needs speed skating classes. It is a location for frequent national and international competitions.

Tommy G. Thompson Youth Center – offers three classrooms, two banquet rooms, a multi-purpose area and expansive lobby on its first floor. On-site dormitory style housing is also available. Its facilities and accommodations make it ideal for a variety of affairs including conferences, training sessions, trade shows, luncheons, youth activities and events and birthday celebrations, to name a few.

Wisconsin Exposition Center – is more commonly referred to as the Expo Center. It is Wisconsin’s largest exhibit hall with more than 200,000 square feet of flexible events space. The Expo Center primarily hosts consumer shows, tradeshows, food functions and other festivals and public events.

Wisconsin Products Pavilion – showcases the different Wisconsin products and offers some of the best deals found at the Wisconsin State Fair. Visitors can also glean useful tips and pointers during the daily stage presentations from a variety of agriculture associations.

Wisconsin State Fair RV Park – is the only RV Park in Metro Milwaukee and is open to visitors year-round. The RV Park allows leashed pets. Additionally, tent camping is only allowed during special events on a limited basis. It offers the following basic facilities:

  1. 70 full-service hook-ups (sewer, water, electric)
  2. Electric-only sites
  3. Propane filling station
  4. Coin laundry
  5. Men’s and women’s showers
  6. Sanitary station