State Fair - By the Numbers

It's fun to do something that provides so much to share in the blog - since I enjoyed telling you about the Wisconsin State Fair - it seemed like a good way to put powdered sugar on the Cream Puff with one more post.

The Fair sent a "thank you" for attending email this week with some fun facts from the just completed 11 day extravaganza.

400,678 original Cream Puffs were made in the Cream Puff Pavilion (they are real good!) by the Wisconsin Bakers Association.  Surprisingly enough I only ate one.

1,003,881 people attended the fair and last Saturday a new single day record crowd was established with 136,740 coming through the gates.

112,000 thousand trips by the Sky Glider across the fair grounds (took one of those too).

28,000 lemons from Catalano's Lemonade made warm days cooler - had one of those shaken up as well - hmmm, that needs to be a new tradition!

58,204 Baked Potatoes served up by the Wisconsin Potato Growers - mine was ordered with butter, Sour Cream, and creamy cheddar cheese.

106,717 ears of corn served off the grill by the New Berlin Lion's Club-I only had one bite - but I'm still claiming helping reach that number.

125,000 trips were taken down the Giant Slide - it's a no frill ride - you climb the stairs to the top carrying a burlap bag with you.  At the top you lay it down when a space opens up, sit down on the sack and wait for the cue (or gentle push) to slide down over the wavy bumps until you reach the artificial turf that brings the burlap (and you) to a halt.  It's awesome!

In the coliseum, where we watched the Clydesdale hitch competition during opening weekend, a record was broken the following Saturday, when 17 elite six horse hitches filled the arena floor.  I can imagine how cool that site would have been.

2,700 exhibitors participated in the wide variety of fair contests during the run of the fair.  The competitions run the gamut from agriculture to crafts to beer.  Yes, beer - this is Wisconsin.

There really is something for everyone - apparently I missed out on the chicken and waffle cones that were available this year, so that may have to join the list of things to look for at next year's edition.

The Wisconsin State Fair offers city, country, music, fun, beverages, competition (pig or duck races, anyone?), and quiet areas to rest and relax. 

As they sang in the musical, "Our state fair is a great state fair - don't miss it - don't even be late!"