What the Wisconsin State Fair Is
The Wisconsin State Fair is the state's flagship fair, held at Wisconsin State Fair Park in West Allis. The 2026 fair was the 175th, running 11 days from August 6 to August 16, 2026. For livestock people it is the biggest stage in the state: the livestock shows fill six barns and three show rings, and thousands of animals are shown each year. The same grounds also hold the Original Cream Puff in the Dairy Building, carnival rides, free concerts with admission and the Sporkies and Drinkies food competitions.
Junior and Open Livestock Shows
| Junior Livestock Shows | Open Livestock Shows | |
|---|---|---|
| Species | Beef cattle, dairy cattle, Boer and market goats, dairy goats, poultry, rabbits, sheep, swine | Draft horses, horse pull, beef cattle, dairy cattle, Boer goats, dairy goats, poultry, rabbits, rabbit hopping, sheep, swine, plus the invitation-only Champions Challenge |
| Who can show | Exhibitors 12 to 19 years old as of January 1 of the fair year, with Youth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) certification | Exhibitors at least 5 years old as of January 1; a younger exhibitor may enter an animal, but the person showing it in the ring must meet the age rule |
The fair also runs the All for One Livestock Shows for exhibitors with disabilities, along with Dog Sports, a Postcard Contest and a Pom Pon Competition.
How Junior Entry Works: The Timeline
- DNA and 840 tag identification samples were due, postmarked, by May 20, 2026.
- Online junior entries closed May 20, 2026 at 7 p.m. Central with no late fee. YQCA certification had to stay valid through August 16, 2026, and a PDF of the certificate had to be uploaded before an entry could be made.
- Late online entries closed May 27, 2026 at 7 p.m. Central. The late fee was $130 per exhibitor. After that time no changes, additions or substitutions were allowed.
- Junior dairy cattle arrived Tuesday, August 4 (8 a.m. to 10 p.m.) or Wednesday, August 5 (6 a.m. to noon), with vet checks on arrival.
- Shows ran across the fair. The Junior Boer show started at 8 a.m. on Saturday, August 8, followed by the Open Boer show at noon. The Junior Rabbit show started at 8 a.m. on Friday, August 7.
Rules Exhibitors Need to Know
- Showmanship entries had to be made online by the late junior entry deadline. Exhibitors were not entered automatically and onsite entries were not accepted.
- The same animal must be used in all showmanship heats and finals, or the exhibitor is disqualified and prize money is withheld.
- Cell phones, smartwatches, earbuds, headphones and other electronic devices are not allowed in the show ring.
- Swine must arrive with a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection listing the physical origin and destination addresses and official animal ID, and stating that a veterinarian inspected the herd of origin within 30 days before the show.
- Stalling is either with a group, under a Volunteer Adult Group Contact, or independent, with a named adult contact over 21 as of August 6, 2026.
- Youth Center meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) cost $9 each. Youth Center wristbands come through the group's dorm reservations, not the $7 exhibitor admission ticket.
Where and When
Wisconsin State Fair Park, 640 S. 84th St., West Allis, WI 53214. Livestock is in Ag Village. The Swine and Goat Barn is in the northwest corner of the park and was open daily 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. in 2026; swine shows ran August 6 to 13 and dairy goat shows August 14 to 16. Fair hours in 2026 were Sunday through Wednesday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday 10 a.m. to midnight.
Admission
Gate prices in 2026: adults (12 and up) $20, seniors (60 and up) $15, military and veterans $15, youth 6 to 11 $13, and children 5 and under free. After 5 p.m., anyone 17 and under must be with a parent or guardian 21 or older, and each adult may chaperone up to six minors. Parking is cashless.
Questions
How old do junior exhibitors have to be?
Twelve to 19 as of January 1 of the fair year, with YQCA certification active through the last day of the fair.
Can I enter at the gate?
No. Junior entries are made online ahead of time, and onsite entries are not accepted.
Who do I call?
The Entry Office takes junior and open show questions Monday to Friday at 414-266-7052. The main State Fair Park line is 414-266-7000.
When is the next fair?
The most recent edition was August 6 to 16, 2026.
Official Links
- Wisconsin State Fair Livestock Shows
- 2026 junior livestock updates and deadlines (PDF)
- Swine and Goat Barn
- All for One Livestock Shows
- 2026 fair guide: hours and admission
Wisconsin County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows: The Essentials
Wisconsin had 73 state-aided county and district fairs in 2025, with about 2 million visitors and 43,465 exhibitors, about 72 percent of exhibits from juniors.
Rules differ by county
Each county publishes its own fair book. In Clark County, for example, exhibitors must be 8 to 19, own and show their own animal, and follow species tagging, drug history and weight rules to sell.
Common requirements
Expect premise ID, ear tags or DNA ID, YQCA certification, health papers and early registration, per the Sauk County rules.
Sale day
Selling is its own set of rules. In Clark County you may weigh in several species but sell only one animal, complete three educational points, and sell your own animal in your assigned slot. Check your county's sale rules before you buy a project animal.
Next steps
Get your county's current fair book and mark the spring deadlines now. Dates and rules change each year.
Read the full guide: Wisconsin County Fairs and Youth Livestock Shows
Other Upcoming Events Nearby
- Alice in Dairyland Finals
Milwaukee County hosts the 80th Alice in Dairyland finals May 13-15, 2027, three days of interviews, farm tours and public events leading to the selection of Wisconsin's agricultural ambassador.
- All for One Livestock Shows at the Wisconsin State Fair
Swine and goat shows for exhibitors with disabilities ages 8-21 during the State Fair, with a swine show on Thursday and a goat show on Saturday. Held each year; the most recent dates were August 6 and 8, 2026.
- Harvest Fair at State Fair Park
The Harvest Fair returned October 2-4, 2026 to Wisconsin State Fair Park in West Allis, bringing fall farm-market goods and harvest-season entertainment to Milwaukee County.
West Allis, WI Official event details - Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation Annual Meeting and YFA Conference
The Wisconsin Farm Bureau annual meeting, where county delegates vote on policy, combined with the Young Farmer and Agriculturist Conference. Next edition December 4-7, 2026 at Kalahari in Wisconsin Dells.
- Wisconsin Farmers Union Annual State Convention
The Wisconsin Farmers Union state convention, with policy sessions and a Friday evening Farmers Union Camp fundraiser. Next edition December 11-13, 2026 in Appleton; the 95th convention was held December 12-14, 2025.
Listing checked Nov. 11, 2026 against this source. Details can change; confirm with the organizer.