Surviving Summer Fairs - 2013 Wisconsin List
May 22, 2013 09:03PM ● By Dannelle GayDo they have a parade? A parade is FREE and the kids usually get something (candy, small prizes,etc). This can easily entertain your family for over an hour and usually has a few surprises among the floats. We loved the year that full sized Popsicles were passed out!
Bring a picnic lunch. Not only is this a cheaper option, it is often healthier!
At most fairs you can find a mile-long list of foods on a stick, and half of those are deep fried. Don't get me wrong, I live in Wisconsin because it is legal to have five starches on the same plate, but not at $5 each!
Check out the event website before you leave. This way you can see what yumminess is might tempt you, giving yourself permission to pick maybe ONE to try. Not only is this healthier for your family, it's healthier for your wallet! Is it going to be the cream puff? Maybe the chocolate covered bacon on a stick? Roasted corn always gets me!
Want to go on rides? The days of cheap rides are over. Most rides take several tickets, and those ticket can run $1-2 each. Make sure you go on a "wrist band" night—where you have unlimited rides for a set price and then let them go on the "Zipper" as many times as they want. {I will watch safely from the ground, thank you.}
Do they have fireworks? Again, a FREEbie here! My best tip: Hit the local Dollar Store first and get a package of glow necklaces or bracelets. These usually come in a five or ten pack for $1.00 and are a lot less expensive than the ones that cute little guys go around selling at $5 each! Trust me, the kids will want one, once they see them.
Are there Other FREE activities there? Check for bounce houses and petting zoo's {pack some hand sanitizer because their displays are always empty}. Sponsored stages allow you to watch everything from the local karate dojo demonstration to the ballet studio's dance recitals. And don't forget about the World Famous Racing Pigs at the Wisconsin State Fair? {I'd even be tempted to run a little for an Oreo!}
Finally, keep in mind that it IS Wisconsin that we are talking about! One year the temperature may be ninety five degrees and the next year it could be sixty. Regardless of the weather, slather the sun screen on the kiddos, as they can actually get a worse burn on a cloudy day than a sunny one. Make sure everyone is drinking their water and taking a few rest breaks and you can't help but make some fantastic memories and have a great time! Here is the big list of County Fairs for 2013 -- thanks to the Wisconsin Association of Fairs. Keep in mind this doesn't include smaller events like Sun Prairie Corn Fest, Edgerton's Tobacco Heritage Days, etc.
- Thursday, June 27-30 : Elroy Fair
- Tuesday, July 9-14 : Sauk Co.
- Wednesday, July 10-14 : Northern WI State, Jefferson Co., Lafayette Co., Lodi Ag, Marquette Co.
- Wednesday, July 17-21 : St. Croix Co., La Crosse Interstate, Fond Du Lac Co., Dane Co., Lincoln Co., Green Co., Barron Co., Waukesha Co., Portage Co., Blakes Prairie Jr., Kewaunee Co., Pepin Co. Jr
- Tuesday, July 23-28 : Outagamie Co., Rock Co. 4-H, Washington Co., Langlade Co. Fair, Eau Claire Co.., Columbia Co., Monroe Co., Racine Co., Dunn Co.Washburn Co., Polk Co., Taylor Co., Trempealeau Co.
- Tuesday, July 30-Aug 4 : Wisconsin Valley, Jackson Co., Ozaukee Co., Door Co., Buffalo Co., Green Lake Co. Fair, Green Lake Co. Fair, Oneida Co., Central Burnett County Fair,
- Thursday, Aug 1-11 : Wisconsin State Fair
- Tuesday, Aug 6-11 : Winnebago Co., Adams Co., Head of the Lakes, Crawford Co., Clark Co., Vilas Co., Pierce Co., Rusk Co. Jr.,
- Wednesday, Aug 14-18 : Grant Co., Dodge Co., Brown Co., Juneau Co., Kenosha Co., Athens Fair, Waushara Co., Sawyer Co., Burnett Co.,
- Wednesday, Aug 21-25 : Manitowoc Co., Price Co., Waupaca Co., Marinette Co., Oconto Co., Bayfield Co., Florence Co.
- Wednesday, Aug 28- Sept 2 : Walworth Co., , Central WI State, Shawano Co., Ashland Co., Iowa Co., Sheboygan Co., Calumet Co., Portage County Fair