Get ready for fun -- and food on a stick! State Fair 2014 begins THURSDAY!



WEST ALLIS (WITI) -- Wednesday, July 30th -- the eve of the kickoff of the 2014 Wisconsin State Fair! Barns are packed with cows from all over the state -- and on Thursday morning, the Junior Dairy Competition starts -- the largest junior dairy show in the country!

The young people who will show off their cattle spent the day getting their cows ready for showtime.

Most of the animals arrived on Tuesday -- and their handlers got only a few hours of sleep as most were up around 3:00 or 4:00 a.m. to bathe and feed the cows.

With so many competitors, even those who have been to the fair before say they're confident, but humble.

"You`re always looking for the win. But it`s fun to be able to compete at these upper level shows like State Fair and state shows and develop your skills so you can move up to upper levels of competition," Adam Field, who is competing in his fourth State Fair said.

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Meanwhile, elsewhere on the State Fair grounds, crews were busy prepping cream puffs and corn dogs -- while others focused on security.

It was three years ago when there were dozens of arrests on Opening Day. Since then, law enforcement officials say they have made State Fair Park the safest place to be for the next couple of weeks in Wisconsin.

Sisters Rachel and Esibella Niemi and there cousin Theresa were busy building shelves at the Miller Light Sports Bar and Grill. There is growing confidence that everything will be ready for the fair's Opening Day.

"I hope. I hope everything will be ready," the girls said.

Wisconsin State Fair Park Police Chief Jim Bruno was focused on security.

"There is over 100 law enforcement that patrol the fair," Chief Bruno said.

Chief Burno says they're prepared -- even after what happened three years ago.

On opening night of the Wisconsin State Fair, more than 30 people were arrested after a fight broke out in and around the fair.

"We're constantly monitoring areas inside the park, but also outside the park," Chief Bruno said.

Changes have been made since that incident.

Like in year's past, a collection of law enforcement officials will be patrolling the grounds and keeping an eye on those below. The fair has also hired additional security guards and has added cameras. It's teamwork that will keep all of us safe during the fair's 2014 run.

The Wisconsin State Fair runs through August 10th.

CLICK HERE for more information on the Wisconsin State Fair.