180th Waukesha County Fair kicks off with new and old fair fun

 

WAUKESHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Waukesha hosts the longest-standing county fair in the state. This year, the Waukesha County Fair is celebrating 180 years. Gates open at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 20 through Sunday, July 24.

Wednesday is the opening ceremony of the fair. Tractors and cars will gather around the stage to welcome it back.

With warm temperatures expected to stick around this weekend, fair officials are warning people to stay hydrated. You can grab a slushie at one of the food vendors or just bring an empty bottle of water to fill once you're through the gates.

“We’ll have our misting tent - that's on our south end of the grounds. We have our fire department that's here, going to be spraying the crowd, keeping them cool,” said the fair’s executive director, Chrissy Gluegy.

Visitors can also stop inside one of the two air-conditioned buildings at the fair.

There will be a place to take a seat and cool off. Plus, there will be dozens of vendors inside to see.

In addition to the traditional county fair fun— like livestock barns, 4h shows and racing animals— there are some new things at the fair.

Axe-throwing, a drone light show and the Touch of the Wild trailer, which gives people the chance to touch and see taxidermy animals found across the state.

“Something cool, something unique,” said Gluegy. “Creating innovative takes on fair traditions for all ages to enjoy.”

Waukesha is always looking for opportunities to be innovative — they were the first county fair in Wisconsin to bring a choreographed drone light show to the skies. The drone light show will be back on Wednesday and Thursday this year.

You can find full event details by clicking here.