A worker with North American Midway positions himself while helping assemble the midway's Giant Wheel attraction in preparation for the opening of the 2019 Dane County Fair on the grounds of the Alliant Energy Center. After the COVID-19 pandemic led to an online-only version in 2020, the 2021 edition of the fair will be held July 15-18 back at the Alliant Energy Center.
Carnival rides, cream puffs, barn animals, concerts, stunt shows, loaded baked potatoes and more are set to be back in Madison this July.
After being pushed online last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Dane County Fair will welcome attendees to the Alliant Energy Center July 15-18, organizers announced Wednesday.
“Dane County is proud to partner with the fair and help safely return a summer tradition to our Alliant Energy Center,” Dane County Executive Joe Parisi said.
The event will have some COVID-19 modifications to promote safety, including changes to the fair layout for food and commercial vendors, youth project displays and entertainment to allow for social distancing, Dane County Fair general manager Danielle Ziegler said. More details will be posted on the fair’s website as plans are finalized.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down Gov. Tony Evers statewide mask mandate Wednesday, but Dane County’s mask mandate remains in place. The Dane County Fair Association, Inc. said it will follow the health regulations and guidelines that are in place at the time of the fair.
Organizers said the decision to hold the fair “was not taken lightly.” The availability of vaccines and Dane County’s overall response to the pandemic played a role. As of Tuesday, 38.2% of Dane County residents had received at least one vaccine dose.
“The Dane County Fair Association’s decision to host this year’s fair was made after careful consideration of our ability to host a safe event for all participants with input from Dane County and the Alliant Energy Center,” Dane County Fair Association president Dick Straub said.
For those not comfortable attending the fair in person, the fair association will be showcasing youth projects online on the fair’s website and social media channels. Judging for animal-related projects will happen in person, while judging for other youth projects will be scheduled in advance via video conference.
The annual 4-H project and talent showcase for the youth projects was fully online last year with video at multiple times each day and even a virtual dance with a DJ on Zoom.
Last year’s online fair also featured a tractor parade and the chance for fairgoers to win a prize by uploading a photo of their at-home version of the loaded baked potato.
The Dane County Fair Association is seeking donations to make up for the “substantial financial loss” of having to cancel last year’s in person event.
Straub said his organization is happy to be able to bring the fair back.
“We look forward to re-establishing our county fair tradition to highlight the hard work and accomplishments of our county’s youth and to provide a safe and enjoyable family experience,” he said.
PHOTOS: OPENING DAY OF THE 2019 DANE COUNTY FAIR
Photos: Opening day of the 2019 Dane County Fair
Braiding the Mane
Shyla Peterson braids the mane of a friend's percheron horse during the opening day of the Dane County Fair on the grounds of the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wis. Thursday, July 18, 2019. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Lamb Tending
Alysaa Statz, 9, of the Waunakee Whirlwinds 4H club guides her market lamb entry from the judging ring during the opening day of the Dane County Fair on the grounds of the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wis. Thursday, July 18, 2019. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Produce on Display
A young visitor to the opening day of the Dane County Fair views an array of produce submitted for judging on the grounds of the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wis. Thursday, July 18, 2019. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Tall Order
Gabby Bloomfield, 5, of Rochester Minn. walks one her family's Clydesdale horses during the opening day of the Dane County Fair on the grounds of the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wis. Thursday, July 18, 2019. The horse, one of two foaled from Anheuser-Busch's collection of Clydesdales, will be driven by her father during a carting demonstration. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Midway Aerial
A BMX bicycle rider jumps over a volunteer attending the opening day of the Dane County Fair during a performance on the grounds of the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wis. Thursday, July 18, 2019. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Life Imitating Art
Maddie Scherer rides her Canadian warmblood horse Finnegan prior to competing in dressage competition at the Dane County Fair on the grounds of the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wis. Thursday, July 18, 2019. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Hen Pals
Zelma Marohn, 11, of the Springdale 4H club shares a moment with her Silky hen during the opening day of the Dane County Fair on the grounds of the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wis. Thursday, July 18, 2019. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Ready for Judging
Claire Knapp of the Deforest Handy Helpers 4H club tends her lamb entries outside the judging ring during the opening day of the Dane County Fair on the grounds of the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wis. Thursday, July 18, 2019. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Shade from the Sun
Zoselin Quinonez and Dagoberto Guerrero shade themselves from the day's sun while enjoying a midway attraction at the Dane County Fair on the grounds of the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wis. Thursday, July 18, 2019. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Emily Hamer | Wisconsin State Journal
Emily Hamer is a general assignment reporter for the Wisconsin State Journal. She joined the paper in April 2019 and was formerly an investigative reporting intern at the Wisconsin Center for Investigative Journalism.
