Wisconsin State Fair preparing for in-person event in August

MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Wisconsin State Fair is preparing to return this summer after the coronavirus pandemic wiped out the event for the first time in 75 years, organizers said Wednesday.

The fair scheduled Aug. 5-15 will have increased sanitation protocols in place, some of which have yet to be determined. Mask requirements, vaccine passports and rapid testing have been discussed as possible new criteria.

“In January, the Wisconsin State Fair Park Board approved a goal to have a fair this August and we are pleased to confirm we are well on our way to meeting that goal,” Wisconsin State Fair Park Chairman of the Board John Yingling said in a statement Wednesday.

State Fair officials cited a survey they conducted this month showing that 88% of participants would be comfortable attending a large event now or in the near future and 78% are planning to attend the fair this year.

The State Fair had the highest attendance of any annual event in the Milwaukee area in 2019, with 1,130,572 visitors.

Five main stage shows have been announced for this year’s State Fair, featuring Skillet, Chris Young, Brothers Osborne, Boyz II Men and the Beach Boys.