FAQ
Our Mission is to “provide a quality family event which preserves our rural heritage and is dedicated to education and entertaining all ages in Waukesha County and surrounding communities.” Below are the most commonly asked questions for Main Stage, Side Stages, Commercial/Food Vendor, Open Class/Senior Entry Info, Junior Entry Info and Volunteer/Employment.Main Stage
Does it cost extra to watch the Main Stage acts?No, we have lawn seating available which is free with your general admission to the Fair.
What am I allowed to bring to the show?
We invite you to bring lawn chairs and blankets for the lawn seating. However, no coolers or any other beverage carriers or carry-ins will be allowed.
What are VIP seats?
VIP seats are located in front of the Main Stage. This section is fenced off and chairs are provided for you. These are first come, first served seats—NOT assigned seats. You will have access to this area one hour before the start of the concert. Fair admission is NOT included. view seatingWhat are ELITE VIP seats?
ELITE VIP seats are in the first few rows of the ELITE VIP area in front of the Main Stage. The price includes Fair admission, preferred parking, your assigned concert seat, and two drink tickets. You will receive a wristband allowing you to access this area one hour before the start of the concert. view seatingI purchased an ELITE VIP seat, now what?
On the day of the show you will enter the fairgrounds through Gate 3. The price includes admission and preferred parking. You will be given a wristband and drink coupons. The VIP area will open one hour before the show and you may then find your assigned seat.
I am coming from out of town, what accommodations will I find in the area?
There are several hotels within 15 minutes of the fairgrounds. View a list of hotels and accommodations courtesy of the Waukesha & Pewaukee Convention & Visitor Bureau.
Side Stages
What kind of entertainment will I find on the side stages?Side stages are filled with local talent and popular bands from around the area.
My band is interested in playing at the Waukesha County Fair, how can I do this?
If you are interested in playing at the Waukesha County Fair next year, we will begin accepting promo packs in October. No phone calls, please. Please mail your promo pack to Waukesha County Fair – Attn: Side Stage – 2417 Silvernail Road, Pewaukee, WI 53072
You will be notified if your band is selected to play on a side stage.
Commercial/Food Vendor
I am a Food Vendor. How can I apply for a location at the Fair?We would be happy to provide you with a copy of the Application for New Vendors as well as our General Rules and Regulations for Fair vendors. Please read all documents thoroughly and fill in the form completely before returning to the Fair office. If you have more specific questions, please email the Commercial Office at commercial@waukeshacountyfair.com.
How many Food Vendors do you have at the Fair?
We accept applications for 20-25 food vendors each year. Our goal is to attract a wide variety of different foods to give every vendor a chance to thrive without too much repetition in products. We do receive commissions from our Food Vendors.
I am a Product Vendor, what kind of space is available to me?
We have air-conditioned indoor and outdoor vendor space. You can see the outdoor Vendor Fairground Map plus our current prices per frontage foot. You are allowed to have a tent, however no pop-up/easy-up tents will be permitted. All tents must be commercial grade, solid tents. A complete list of prices can be found within the General Rules and Regulations booklet.
How are Vendor Booth spaces determined for the Fair?
Each space is set-up in 10-foot increments of FRONTAGE feet, and from there on continues in 5-foot increments. Indoor spaces are 8-feet deep and outdoor spaces are a minimum of 20-feet deep (depending on outdoor location). If more depth is needed, please contact the Commercial Office directly at commercial@waukeshacountyfair.com. Spaces are filled according to a first come, first served basis in the designated areas that is requested per booth location.
Are tables and chairs provided?
Vendors must provide their own tables and chairs to be utilized within the confinements of their booth space.
Am I allowed to hand out pamphlets?
Yes, you are allowed to have handouts available only at your booth. No handouts are to be handed out or placed outside of your booth or at any other location on the fairgrounds.
What types of overnight accommodations are available?
We do offer motor home/vehicle camping on site. If interested, please complete and return the Overnight Vendor Camping Contract. There are several hotels and accommodations within 15 minutes of the fairgrounds, courtesy of the Waukesha & Pewaukee Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Can I show up on Wednesday of the Fair to check-in for my booth?
No. Booth spaces are provided accordingly on the designated check-in day. Depending on the type of vendor that you are (Indoor Forum, Food or Outside), dictates which day you are required to show up for check-in. There are two designated days prior to the start of the Fair. Please see your Rules & Regulations booklet for dates, times and items required for check-in.
Entry Info — Open Class/Senior Division
Do I have to be a part of a 4-H family to enter in Open and/or Senior Divisions?Not at all! The requirements for Open Class are that you are age 9 and above. (Age can differ in specific categories, please read specific Department Rules.) To enter Senior Division, you must be a Waukesha Resident age 62 and above.
How do I enter a division?
Open Class Departments will need to complete Entry Cards ONLINE. Open Class and Senior Class entries must be submitted before June 15. The Senior Division Entry Card can also be completed online. Or if you’d prefer, fill out the Senior Division Form completely and return it to us before or postmarked by June 15 at:
Waukesha County Fair – Attn: Exhibitor Entries – 2417 Silvernail Road, Pewaukee, WI 53072
If you have any questions regarding entries, or where a project would be placed in the categories, please contact Sarah at sarah@waukeshacountyfair.com.
How are entries judged?
All Open/Senior Division entries are judged by category in Danish style judging (not face-to-face). Per category, there is a 1st place through 4th place award. The judge can choose to give out higher awards in each category. Not everyone will receive a placing.
Where do I take items that I’m entering in the Fair?
All Senior Division entries will be checked in between 2:00 and 8:00 pm the Tuesday before the Fair. All Open Class entries will be checked in between 2:00 and 8:00 pm Tuesday before Fair. You will receive more specific information regarding drop-off location when you receive your entry tags.
Do I need to buy an admission/parking pass?
If you wish to only come for judging on Wednesday of the Fair before noon and then pick-up your project on Sunday night of the Fair after 7:15 pm, you are not required to purchase an admission or parking pass. However, if you plan on enjoying any of the festivities during the Fair, you will need to purchase an admission and parking pass. These passes are offered to Exhibitors at a reduced rate. Senior Division: If you purchase an admission pass, you will receive a free parking pass!
I’d like to get more involved with the Open Class/Senior Divisions, whom should I contact?
Thank you for showing your support and interest in getting involved with our Open/Senior Divisions. If there is a specific Department or project, please email us at info@waukeshacountyfair.com. Provide us with your contact information and include your area of interest. We’d love to hear your entry ideas for the Waukesha County Fair!
Entry Info — Junior Division
Can any youth enter in the Waukesha County Fair?All youth exhibitors in the Fair must be members of a Waukesha County 4-H, FFA, or other organized youth organization under adult leadership (Scouts, Church Youth Groups, Jr. Breed Groups, After School Program, etc.) with an educational program approved by the Waukesha County Fair Board.
How do I enter my youth in the Waukesha County Fair?
Junior Class Departments will need to complete Entry Cards ONLINE. Entries must be submitted before June 15. If you have any questions regarding entries, or where a project would be placed in the categories, please contact Sarah at sarah@waukeshacountyfair.com.
How are youth entries judged?
Most animal/livestock entries are judged Danish style during the run of the Fair. All other project entries are face-to-face with a judge and will receive a 1st through 4th place award. Every participant will receive a placing. The judge can choose to give out higher awards in each category. Judging is done Monday and Tuesday prior to the Fair, please read Department rules for when that Department will be judged. If you have any questions about Junior Division/Department judging, please contact Sarah at sarah@waukeshacountyfair.com.
Do I need to buy an admission/parking pass?
If you wish to only come for youth judging on Monday and Tuesday prior to the Fair and then pick up projects on Sunday night of the Fair after 7:15 pm, you are not required to purchase an admission or parking pass. However, if you plan on enjoying any of the festivities during the Fair you may wish to purchase admission and parking passes. These passes are offered to Exhibitors at a reduced rate.
Volunteer/Employment
Do you offer temporary employment at the Waukesha County Fair?We hire for specific limited positions during the Waukesha County Fair. Please read and complete the employment application. You must be available all five days of the Fair to be considered for employment.
What positions do you have available?
We have positions available in Admissions, Parking, Main Stage, Special Events and Fair Office.
Are you looking for help setting up at Fair?
We are always looking for volunteers to help with set-up the week before the Fair. If interested, please contact us at info@waukeshacountyfair.com.