WEST ALLIS, Wis. (CBS 58) — The Wisconsin State Fair honored longtime Wisconsin State Fair Park Board Chairman John Yingling on Friday as he prepares to step down after 16 years of service.

Yingling, who will leave the board in October, has helped oversee one of the most transformative periods in Wisconsin State Fair history. This year's fair marks his 15th and final one as a board member.

As he reflected on his time with the organization, Yingling said he's excited to help celebrate the fair's 175th anniversary.

"This year, as always, look forward to the entire spectacle of the greatest 11 days of summer in Wisconsin," Yingling said. "So with that, we're gonna have a circus this year, we'll have a parade, we're gonna do everything to celebrate the Wisconsin State Fair and everything the Wisconsin State Fair is about."

The 175th Wisconsin State Fair runs Aug. 6-16.