MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers today delivered his weekly radio address celebrating the kickoff of the 175th Wisconsin State Fair. Each year, the Wisconsin State Fair welcomes over 1 million fairgoers and is a celebration of Wisconsin history, culture, and traditions, as well as Wisconsin’s proud agricultural industry with hundreds of animal exhibits, youth competitions, daily demonstrations, and educational programming. A full schedule of daily events and performances, as well as features at this year’s fair, can be found online on the Wisconsin State Fair website. The fair will take place at Wisconsin State Fair Park in West Allis starting today, August 6, through Sunday, August 16.

This year, the Wisconsin State Fair was also voted the second best state fair in the nation by the USA Today 10 Best People’s Choice Awards.

The governor also proclaimed August 6 through Aug. 16, 2026, as “Wisconsin State Fair Days,” as he has done annually, in recognition of the 2026 Wisconsin State Fair.

A transcript of the governor’s radio address is below.

Hey there, folks! Governor Tony Evers here!

This week, we’re kicking off the 175th Wisconsin State Fair.

As somebody who has been going to the Wisconsin State Fair for over 50 years with my wife Kathy, take it from me: it’s the best darn 11 days of the year.

And this year is extra special because this year, we’re celebrating 175 years of fair traditions.

For 175 years, the state fair has served as a spotlight of the proud agricultural traditions that are in our DNA as Wisconsinites and the many industries and people that made us the state we are today.

From live performances and art displays to livestock exhibits, experiences for the whole family, and countless new foods to try, including this year’s cherry cream puff, the Wisconsin State Fair is a celebration of all that makes our state the great place it is to call home.

Not only that, but the fair generates hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity for our state, has seen record-breaking attendance in recent years, and gained national attention as a standout fair experience, but none of this happens by chance.

Folks, I declared 2026 the Year of the Neighbor in Wisconsin because I wanted to spend this year celebrating the incredible people who make Wisconsin the great place it is. 

And that includes the countless farmers, youth exhibitors, performers, artists, vendors, small business owners, community leaders, industry powerhouses, and dedicated State Fair staff and volunteers who not only make the State Fair happen, but who are the very fabric of our state.

So, head on down until August 16 to the Wisconsin State Fair to celebrate them and all that makes Wisconsin the great place it is to live. Thank you.