The Wisconsin State Fair celebrates 175 years August 6-16, 2026. Our beloved state fair holds significant memories for many people, as well as a strong connection to the Alice in Dairyland program and America's Dairyland!
The Alice in Dairyland program began in 1948 with the purpose of celebrating 100 years of Wisconsin statehood. The first Alice in Dairyland, Margaret McGuire, was selected right in Milwaukee. She had a 10-foot animated model of herself that welcomed fairgoers to the Dairy Building at the Wisconsin Centennial Exposition held at the Wisconsin State Fair Park. This unique welcome served as a memorable part of the centennial celebrations.
It's difficult to determine exactly how I feel about not having a 10-foot animated model of myself at the Wisconsin State Fair, but I am excited to have "Flat Alice," a life-sized cutout of myself, to welcome visitors in Dairy Lane! Flat Alice holds a sign listing a few of the Alice in Dairyland schedule highlights, including various milking demonstrations, my visits to Dairy Lane, and my daily demonstration at 1 p.m. in the Wisconsin Building.
I will be on the Wisconsin Building stage each day of the state fair at 1 p.m., near the grilled cheese and baked potato stands. My demonstrations will teach you how to make your own butter, explain why Wisconsin is America's Dairyland, and I'll discuss one of the vegetables that goes 'spud'-tacular with butter!
I mentioned the grilled cheese stand, which is a popular fair food for visitors. A few other dairy features at the 175th Wisconsin State Fair include the brand-new Fair-aschino Cherry Cream Puff, four daily cow milking demonstrations, three daily goat milking demonstrations, hands-on activities in Dairy Lane, and lots of dairy food favorites, including grilled cheese, milk, cheese curds, and so much more. In addition to these delicious dairy foods, I also plan to enjoy some ice cream, which is one of my favorite dairy products.
One dairy event I am especially looking forward to is on Saturday, August 15, starting at 5:15 p.m. in the Coliseum. The 40th Annual Wisconsin Holstein Association All-Breeds Futurity, often nicknamed "Cow Prom," is an event like no other! This is a milestone year that will continue to uphold the high standards our dairy industry consistently showcases. I have attended one dairy futurity thus far in my life and I was so impressed. Anyone showing animals needs to have a strong work ethic and patience. Adding suits, tuxedos, and ball gowns into the mix brings everything to a whole new level in the show ring!
Of course, our high dairy standards also include our delicious dairy products. The high-quality products produced right here in Wisconsin continue to be crafted into something even better every day. The Dairy Products contest provides an opportunity for licensed dairy manufacturing facilities within Wisconsin to showcase the best of the best. Contests include a variety of cheese, butter, yogurt, sour cream, fluid milk, and custard. This is significantly different from the 1946 contest, which had two different kinds of butter and five different kinds of cheese!
The Wisconsin State Fair has grown in a host of other ways as well. In addition to dairy, the state fair features all types of agricultural products and animal species with youth and open class shows. I am highlighting a number of agricultural products and industries through daily interviews and youth exhibitor features throughout the state fair! To find a full list of activities and events at the 175th Wisconsin State Fair, visit WIStateFair.com.
Anastasia Poull is Wisconsin's 79th Alice in Dairyland
This article originally appeared on Wisconsin State Farmer: Wisconsin dairy takes center stage at 175th Wisconsin State Fair