Music, rodeo, carnival rides: Walworth County Fair in Elkhorn turns 175 years old
Rice’s Pro Rodeo, one of numerous events at the Walworth County in Elkhorn, is Wednesday, Aug. 28, at 7 p.m.
Enjoy the rides and games of the Walworth County Fair’s midway carnival Wednesday-Monday, Aug. 28-Sept. 2.
Poultry is one of numerous exhibits scheduled at the 175th Walworth County Fair.
This year’s Walworth County Fair horse pulling contest is Sept. 2 at 8:30 a.m. at the Grandstand.
The 174th annual Walworth County Fair kicked of its six-day 2023 run on Wednesday, Aug. 30. The nearly 100-acre fairgrounds in county seat Elk…
ELKHORN — The Walworth County Fair isn’t just a slice of Americana. It isn’t even the whole dang pie. It’s the entire bakery.
Now in its 175th year, one of Wisconsin’s largest and longest running county fairs returns with everything one would expect of an event with the slogan “Stars, Stripes and Fair Delights,” and then some.
The fair is Wednesday-Monday, Aug. 28-Sept. 2, at the Walworth County Fairgrounds, 411 E. Court St., Elkhorn.
Across the 99-acre fairgrounds are live music performances from globally and locally known acts; a rodeo and the largest demolition derby in the state; tractor and truck pulls; a carnival; horse shows; agricultural exhibits; and myriad children’s activities.
Walworth County Fairground General Manager Larry Gaffey said the internationally award-winning Barnyard Adventure and Discovery Barn both offer “tons of interactive fun learning experiences for kids.”
An interactive dinosaur exhibit and a sensory friendly carnival experience are also part of the event schedule.
There are over 18,000 exhibit entry applications for this year’s fair, said Gaffey, “everything from quilts to cows.”
Not to mention lots of “crazy contests, like milk chugging, straw bale throwing and many more,” Gaffey said.
Fair admission is $12 for adults per day; $8 for ages 62 and older on Wednesday-Friday, Aug. 28-30; $5 daily for ages 5-12; free ages 4 and younger; $45 season pass for adults; and $15 season pass for ages 5-12.
Below are some of the highlights mapped out for the 175th Walworth County Fair. Note: Information is subject to change. For a full schedule and more, go to walworthcountyfairgrounds.com.
Hip hop, rock & country
Nelly, Brantley Gilbert and Crowder are all playing the Grandstand at the fair, while several local acts are performing free shows at Peggy’s Park Stage or the Duesterbeck’s Brew Haus Music Hall.
The first artist gracing the Grandstand is the rapper responsible for “Country Grammar,” “Hot In Herre,” “Ride wit Me” and other hits. Nelly performs Friday, Aug. 30.
Award-winning country rock singer-songwriter Brantley Gilbert plays Saturday, Aug. 31. Christian artist Crowder takes to the stage Sunday, Sept. 1.
Local artists playing at Peggy’s Park Stage include The Thompson Duo, Indigo Canyon, Underground Sound Jazz Band and Van Wailin.’
Over at Duesterbeck’s Brew Haus Music Hall are Lara Bell, Karen Shook, Dan Maguire, Jenny Hundt, Kayla Seeber and more.
For the full music schedule, see the Live Music listing in this week’s Resorter or go to the Walworth County Fair website.
Cows, tractors & destruction
Three more reasons to go to the fair? The rodeo, the tractor and truck pulls, and the demolition derby.
Rice’s Pro Rodeo is the main event Wednesday, Aug. 28, at 7 p.m.
It’s an evening of bronco-bustin,’ bull ridin,’ steer wrestlin’ and more at the Grandstand. As of press time, tickets for the rodeo were $10.
Two tractor and truck pulls are set for Thursday, Aug. 29.
At noon, it’s the Antique & Stock Tractor & Truck Pulls. The PI Motorsports Tractor & Truck Pulls are at 7 p.m. Both are at the Grandstand. Cost for the PI Motorsports event is $10.
On Monday, Sept. 2, the three-heat Demolition Derby runs at 12:30, 3 and 5:30 p.m. at the Grandstand. The crowd-pleasing derby, which has $10 admission.
Go to the fair website for more details.
Exhibits & contests
Animals, plants, flowers, sciences, arts, trades, crafts, consumer education, leadership, antiques, home economics — these are just a few of the junior and open class exhibits on the Walworth County Fair schedule.
Special contests include the Fairest of the Fair, which has its finals Aug. 28 at 6 p.m. at Peggy’s Park Stage; the Infant & Toddler Costume Contest Aug. 30 at 11 a.m. on the Barnyard Adventure Stage; and the Pinewood Derby Showdown Sept. 1 at noon.
There are also two cookies contests, Pies In The Park and more. Check the fair website.
Thrills & chills
It wouldn’t be the Walworth County Fair without the midway carnival, where all manner of mechanical rides, games and more await thrill seekers of all ages.
Presale rides wristband is $30. The wristband is valid for unlimited rides during the following days and times: 3 p.m.-11 p.m. Aug. 28-29; noon-11 p.m. Aug. 30-Sept. 1; and noon-8 p.m. Sept. 2.
Go to the fair website to purchase presale wristbands and for more information.
The 174th annual Walworth County Fair kicked off its five-day Aug. 30-Sept. 5, 2023 run on Wednesday, Aug. 30 at the Walworth County Fairgroun…
