Wisconsin State Fair: Hot weather at center of 2023 opening day
WEST ALLIS, Wis. - The 2023 Wisconsin State Fair opened Thursday, Aug. 3 – offering dozens of rides, hundreds of food items and thousands of animals to fairgoers.
Water and sunscreen were fairgoers' best friends, and people found ways to keep cool. Some went down the slide in search of a breeze, others searched for a cold drink. FOX6 News went around the park in search of the hottest job of the day.
"It's warm back here," said Steve Jerky, owner of All Things Jerky. "We do have fans running, but they are spoiled with A/C inside of the trailer. I'm back here running the heat."
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Animals were also a concern with temperatures in the 90s. Horses were surrounded by fans with plenty of water next to them.
"She’s got a little bit of an advantage, she is an Arabian horse, they were bred for thousands of years to be living on very few food and water out in the desert," said Western Venture Farm's Tammie Roeber about her horse, Juliet. "This is an ideal environment for a horse like her."
The fair has multiple water stations set up across the grounds for people and is letting everyone bring in empty or refillable bottles.
The 2023 fair runs through Sunday, Aug. 13.
Returning food lovers can search the park for Sporkies and Drinkies finalists as well – the competitions highlighting some of the best the fair has to offer. Fans can also search for things to try using the Wisconsin State Fair Food Finder.
Bank Five Nine Amphitheater Headliners:
- Thursday, Aug. 3 Journey Unauthorized
- Friday, Aug. 4 Here Come the Mummies
- Saturday, Aug. 5 Here Come the Mummies
- Sunday, Aug. 6 Geru y Su Legión 7
- Monday, Aug. 7 Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone
- Tuesday, Aug. 8 Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone
- Wednesday, Aug. 9 Hairbangers Ball
- Thursday, Aug. 10 Too Hype Crew
- Friday, Aug. 11 Great White
- Saturday, Aug. 12 The Entertainer
- Sunday, Aug. 13 Pat McCurdy
The Bank Five Nine Amphitheater hosts more acts than just the headlining performers. New in 2023, the Kids from Wisconsin return to perform daily on the amphitheater stage. This fan-favorite tradition will be sure to delight Fairgoers of all ages. Another can’t-miss act, The Cleverlys return to the Amphitheater with their one-of-a-kind comedy and music blend. Find the full lineup here: WiStateFair.com.