About Us

The Northern Wisconsin State Fair Association has been serving the Chippewa Valley area over 125 years. With an annual fair, year-round events, camping space, and winter storage, the fairgrounds have become a destination for family fun, community support, and live events

The Northern Wisconsin

State Fair Management Team

Brief History of the

Northern Wisconsin State Fair

In the late 1800s, Chippewa Falls area citizens drafted a charter to create the Northern Wisconsin State Fair recognizing the impracticality of entering or attending the Southern Wisconsin State Fair, now formerly known as the Wisconsin State Fair. Enacted in 1897 by the State of Wisconsin, the fair was to "improve agriculture, horticulture and mechanical and household arts." Encompassing a 27-county district, the Northern Wisconsin State Fair has played a central role in northern Wisconsin for over 120 years. To these fairground self-sufficient farming families brought their best efforts in raising chickens, sheep, cows, rabbits, horses, and pigs and displayed their horticultural skills in prize pies, breads, and canned goods. As Wisconsin became more urbanized, the Northern Wisconsin State Fair reflected developments in industry and technology from Model Ts to satellite dishes. Today, these fairground buildings still display the best of individual and community achievements in northern Wisconsin.

Each year in July, over 100,000 visitors attend the Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds to celebrate community, agriculture, entertainment, and family fun activities. Hundreds of youth exhibitors showcase their talents through exhibiting animals, projects, and talents in hopes to win the purple Grand Champion ribbon. National musical acts including The Beach Boys, Martina McBride, and Joan Jett have graced the presence of the Leinenkugel's Main Stage providing entertainment for the thousands that attend. Attendance records were set in 2022 with Charlie Berens performance being sold out.

We hope you're able to join us as we celebrate all that the Northern Wisconsin State Fair provides to everyone of all ages!

Feel free to stop by or give us a call to learn more, visit the fun of the Northern Wisconsin State Fair or how we can meet your event needs.

OUR MISSION
Our Mission is to provide up-to-date grounds and facilities that promote events and attractions enhancing the economic viability of our community.

OUR VISION
Community: The Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds will create, promote, support and welcome events which reflect our community's lifestyles while maintaining financial independence, community ownership and pride in a safe gathering place.

Associates/Volunteers: Associates and Volunteers will provide positive guidance to improve the grounds and events, promote ownership and pride, while building goodwill among all area communities.

Board Members: The Northern Wisconsin State Fair board members will be community leaders who are visionary and open minded, fiscally responsible and committed to working collaboratively in protecting and preserving the Fairgrounds for future generations.

OUR VALUES
The Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds will provide diverse family oriented activities that preserve and create traditions, encourage community-wide involvement while upholding high standards of integrity and honesty.