Complete Family Guide to 2025 Waukesha County Fair

July 16-20, 2025 | Waukesha County Expo Center
1000 Northview Road, Waukesha, WI 53188

Wisconsin's oldest county fair celebrates its 183rd anniversary with the theme "Get YOUR Fair Face On." This guide covers everything families need to plan their visit to this landmark event featuring five days of entertainment, education, and traditional fun at Waukesha County Fair.

Looking for more fairs in the area? We have you covered:

• Guide to Washington County Fair

• Guide to Wisconsin State Fair

• Guide to Ozaukee County Fair

Entertainment Lineup and Schedule

Main Stage Headliners (Miller Lite Mainstage)

• Thursday, July 17: Justin Moore (Country music star)

• Friday, July 18: Ted Nugent (Rock legend)

• Saturday, July 19: Night Ranger (Classic rock band)

Five Entertainment Venues

The fair features five stages of continuous entertainment:

1. Miller Lite Mainstage - Featured headliner acts

2. Coors Light Stage - Secondary performances

3. Leinie Lodge Stage - Local music in shaded area

4. Family Fun Stage - Located in Arena Exhibit Hall (air-conditioned)

5. Children's Tent - Kid-focused programming

New 2025 Attractions

• Fearless Flores Thrill Show - 30-minute acrobatic performances with motorcycle stunts (as seen on America's Got Talent)

• Megamorph - Transforming Camaro to 15-foot robot with daily transformations

• Brant the Fire Guy - Fire juggling, breathing, eating, and magic shows plus All-New Foam Party every afternoon

Daily Special Events

• Wednesday: Truck & Tractor Pulls (7 PM)

• Thursday: Unlimited rides special (2-11 PM, $35)

• Friday: Unlimited rides special (1 PM-close, $35)

• Saturday: Demolition Derby (1 PM), 46th Annual Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast, 8th Annual Powerwheels Competition

• Sunday: 14th Annual Classic Car Show, Waukesha County Fair Drill Team Competition, Milwaukee Brewers Famous Racing Sausages Meet & Greet (2 PM)

Family Activities by Age Group

Toddlers (Ages 1-3)

• Small carnival rides on midway designed for young children

• Pony rides (sponsored by R & R Insurance, east of Main Stage)

• Farm Animal Tent in AgVenture Area for hands-on animal interactions

• Touch of the Wild Education Trailer daily

• Stroller-accessible fairgrounds throughout

• $1 all-you-can-drink milk tent (chocolate, strawberry, white)

Elementary Age (Ages 4-12)

• Full midway access with age-appropriate rides

• 4-H Kids Zone (Forum North Hall, daily noon-4 PM) featuring:

  • SNAP Circuits/K'nex building activities

  • Sand Art Necklaces and solar bracelet making

  • Marshmallow Geometry and Lego activities

  • Astronomy crafts and environmental education

  • Free Family 4-H Bingo (evenings 6-8 PM)

• Animal activities: Pig, Goat & Duck Races (daily at 1, 3, 5, 7 PM), Little Farmer's Sheep Rodeo, Goat Roping

• Monster Mural - Life-size coloring activity (5 feet tall, 8 feet wide)

• Children's Tent programming with karaoke, contests, and educational demonstrations

Teens (Ages 13-18)

• Full thrill ride access on midway

• Demolition Derby (Saturday, July 19)

• Truck & Tractor Pulls (Wednesday, Sunday)

• Classic Car Show (Sunday, July 20)

• 4-H performances and competitions

• FRC Team 2062 CORE Robotics demonstrations

Food Vendors and Dining Options

New 2025 Vendors

• Cousins Maine Lobster - Lobster rolls, seafood tacos, chowder

• George's Gyros - Greek/Mediterranean cuisine, gyros, chicken pitas, kabobs

• Happy Times BBQ - Pork, brisket, chicken BBQ, mac and cheese, brisket smash burgers

• Mr. P's Grilled Cheese - Gourmet grilled cheese with tomato bisque soup

Returning Favorites

• Jayme's Chipstix - Apple pie nachos, bourbon chicken tater tots, deep-fried mac and cheese

• Waukesha County 4-H Kitchen - Loaded baked potatoes, cream puffs (Forum North Hall)

• Plus 7 additional returning vendors

Family Dining Areas

• Air-conditioned spaces: Freeman Exhibits Arena, Forum Marketplace & Shops

• Shaded outdoor areas: Leinie Lodge, Coors Light Stage area

• Misting tent near Freeman Exhibits Arena for cooling

• Waukesha Dairy Farmers Milk Tent: $1.00 all-you-can-drink milk (chocolate, strawberry, white)

Agricultural Exhibits and Competitions

Livestock Shows and Judging

• Junior Livestock Auction - Friday, July 18 (5:30 PM, Insight FS Livestock Coliseum)

• Daily livestock judging for beef, dairy, swine, sheep, goats, horses, rabbits, and poultry

• Spectacular Showmen - Inclusive livestock show for individuals with special needs

Educational Farm Activities

• AgVenture Area featuring:

  • Farm Animal Tent with interactive displays

  • Antique Tractor Display (Stigler Farms)

  • Playland for children

• Draft Horse Demonstrations and carriage rides

• Little Farmer's Sheep Rodeo and Goat Roping

• Pony rides available daily

4-H and FFA Programs

• Youth livestock categories in all major farm animals

• Face-to-face judging sessions between youth and judges

• Agricultural business training through auction participation

• Premium awards based on competition rankings

Special Family Programs

Inclusive Activities

• Special Needs Inclusive Ride Event - Thursday, July 17 (2-4 PM) with free admission and rides

• 4-H Kids Zone daily programming (noon-4 PM)

• Touch of the Wild Education Trailer daily

• Meet and greet with Waukesha school principals

Traditional Fair Activities

• Pig, Goat & Duck Races multiple times daily

• Draft Horse Demonstrations and carriage rides

• Iron Beaver/Silver Fox Railroad Exhibit

• JK Lee's Black Belt Academy martial arts demonstrations

Facilities Information

Major Buildings

• Arena Building - 10,000 sq ft air-conditioned space with Family Fun Stage, large restrooms

• Forum Building Complex - 20,000+ sq ft interconnected halls with marketplace, kitchen facilities, restrooms and showers

• Outdoor grounds - 135 acres with paved walkways, multiple electrical stations

Accessibility Features

• ADA-compliant bathrooms throughout fairgrounds

• Wheelchair and stroller accessible grounds and buildings

• Accessible parking in designated areas

• Service animals welcome

• Ramps and paved pathways for mobility devices

• Multiple seating areas for rest

Parking and Transportation

Parking Information

• Three large parking areas accessed from Northview Road

• Over 1,650 vehicle capacity across multiple lots

• Cost: $6.00 daily parking (space-available basis)

• FREE motorcycle parking all five days

Transportation Options

• Waukesha Metro Transit provides direct service to fairgrounds

• Taxi services: Waukesha Cab LLC (262) 613-8595, Abbra Cab (262) 457-4555

• Rideshare: Lyft and Uber available

• Driving directions: I-94 to Highway J (Exit 294), South to Northview Road

Operating Hours

Fair Hours

• Wednesday: 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM

• Thursday: 10:00 AM - 11:00 PM

• Friday: 10:00 AM - 12:00 AM (midnight)

• Saturday: 10:00 AM - 12:00 AM (midnight)

• Sunday: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Midway Hours

• Wednesday: 3:00 PM - 10:00 PM

• Thursday: 2:00 PM - 11:00 PM

• Friday: 1:00 PM - 12:00 AM

• Saturday: 12:00 PM - 12:00 AM

• Sunday: 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Important: Ticket sales cease 1 hour before closing; re-entry wristbands issued until 7 PM only.

Costs and Pricing

Admission

• Adults: $14.00 (gate price)

• Youth (6-12): $8.00

• Children 5 and under: FREE

• Parking: $6.00 daily

Special Deals

• Adult Admission for TWO: $24.88

• Fair Fun Adult 4-Pack: $52.95 (4 adults, one day)

• Family Bundle: $102.55 (2 adults, 2 youth, 2 ride wristbands)

• Midway Unlimited Ride Wristband: $35.18 (July 17-20)

Main Stage VIP Tickets

• Justin Moore (July 17): General VIP $58.15, Elite VIP $116.00

• Ted Nugent (July 18): General VIP $74.78, Elite VIP $139.45

• Night Ranger (July 19): General VIP $47.65, Elite VIP $93.95

Activity Costs

• 4-H Kids Zone activities: FREE

• Carnival rides: $35 unlimited wristbands or individual tickets (1 ticket = $0.50)

• Pony rides: Individual pricing

• Most educational activities: FREE

Safety Guidelines

Lost Child Procedures

• Lost Child Booth at Fair Office (north of Forum Marketplace)

• Free ID wristbands available for children

• Safe People Program - children taught to approach fair staff, police, or security

• Emergency protocol - children instructed not to search alone or leave fairgrounds

General Safety

• Comprehensive security with Waukesha County Sheriff's Department

• Surveillance cameras throughout fairgrounds

• Armed and unarmed officers plus security personnel

• Zero tolerance policy for inappropriate behavior

• Adult supervision required for children under 12

Family Safety Tips

• Buddy system for older children

• Designated meeting spots for large families

• Visual contact maintained in carnival areas

• Emergency contact numbers programmed in children's phones

Weather Contingencies

Heat Safety

• Multiple air-conditioned buildings (Arena, Forum Marketplace, 4-H Kitchen)

• Misting tent near Arena building

• Water fountains in air-conditioned buildings

• Shaded areas at Leinie Lodge and Coors Light Stage

• Hydration stations with Gatorade and water

Weather Policies

• Umbrellas and ponchos allowed during inclement weather

• Main Stage shows continue unless dangerous conditions (no rain checks)

• Indoor activities available in multiple buildings

• Historical record shows fair rarely closes for weather

Entry Rules

Prohibited items: Outside food/drinks, weapons, golf carts (except mobility devices), scooters, bikes, skates, pets (except service animals)

Allowed items: Cameras (no Main Stage recording), lawn chairs, blankets, weather protection, medical bags (subject to inspection)

Educational Opportunities

4-H Programming

• Daily educational activities in Kids Zone (noon-4 PM)

• STEM demonstrations including DNA exploration, circuits, astronomy

• Environmental education with solar bracelets and recycling activities

• Life skills development through hands-on projects

Agricultural Education

• Livestock judging educational experiences

• Farm animal interactions and care demonstrations

• Agricultural business training through auction participation

• Traditional farming demonstrations and exhibits

Community Partnerships

• 10 community education partners in 4-H Kids Zone

• Waukesha County Extension programming

• Local schools and youth organizations

• Historical society museum discovery boxes

Contact Information

• Fair Office: (262) 544-5922

• Email: info@waukeshacountyfair.com

• Location: North of Forum Marketplace

• Executive Director: Chrissy Gluege

• Website: waukeshacountyfair.com

Planning Tips for Families

Arrival Strategy

• Arrive early for better parking and shorter lines

• Bring cash for some vendors and activities

• Download fair app or pick up map at entrance

• Identify key meeting spots for family members

Comfort Planning

• Wear comfortable walking shoes for 135-acre grounds

• Bring extra water or budget for on-site purchases

• Plan indoor breaks in air-conditioned buildings

• Check weather forecast and dress appropriately

Budget Planning

• Take advantage of daily admission deals

• Consider unlimited ride wristbands for ride enthusiasts

• Budget for food (no outside food allowed)

• Explore free activities in 4-H Kids Zone and educational areas

The 2025 Waukesha County Fair offers an exceptional family experience combining traditional county fair activities with modern entertainment, comprehensive educational programming, and extensive safety measures. With activities designed for all ages and abilities, families can create lasting memories while supporting Wisconsin's agricultural heritage and youth development programs.