Info

Memories from the Fair & Beyond

GENERAL FAQ

Where does the Winnebago County Fair take place?

Sunnyview Exposition Center
500 East County Road Y, Oshkosh, WI

Where is the Fair Office located?

During the week the Fair is open to the public, the Fair Office is located in the front entry-way of the Exposition Hall at the Sunnyview Expo Center.
The County Fair does NOT have a permanent office. Pre-Fair we may offer “pop-up” office hours at community locations - watch for announcements throughout the summer.
Our volunteers can be reached year-round through our website, Facebook, email, phone or by mail. Most of our volunteers also have full-time day jobs, please leave us a message and we will respond as soon as we are available.

Does the Winnebago County Fair operate the Sunnyview Exposition Center year-round?

NO. The Winnebago County Government owns the Sunnyview Exposition Center.

The Winnebago County Fair Association (WCFA) leases the grounds for approximately 2 weeks each year (from Wednesday before the Fair begins until the Tuesday after the Fair ends).
Sunnyview is operated by the Winnebago County Parks Department.
The Winnebago County Fair is operated by volunteers (year-round) and does NOT have a public office location.

Who runs the Winnebago County Fair?

The County Fair is operated by the Winnebago County Fair Association (WCFA), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization overseen by a 19 person Board of Directors who are volunteers from the community and are elected by the Fair Association Members.
The WCFA has approximately 900 Association Members - anyone who purchases an annual membership [aka weekly pass] for the County Fair.

County Fairs are governed by Wisconsin State Statute: Chapter ATCP 160 and report to DATCP (Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection).

I thought the Fair was run by the 4-H Program. What’s the difference?

4-H Youth Development is a program of Extension Winnebago County (University of Wisconsin Madison). While it is a long-standing tradition that 4-H youth participate in the County Fair to show off what they have learned in their 4-H clubs and groups, the Fair is run by a totally separate non-profit organization (Winnebago County Fair Association, Inc.)
Although many 4-H youth participate in the Fair, the County Fair is open to ANY YOUTH ORGANIZATION in Winnebago County that has adult leadership and has an educational program that relates to one or more of the Fair departments which include both farm animals and non-animal departments like photography, cooking, sewing, arts & crafts, gardening and SO MUCH MORE! This includes organizations like FFA, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Youth Breed Associations, etc. See the “Exhibitor” page for more information on how we can become a showcase for your youth organization.

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TICKETS & HOURS

What are the hours for the Fair?

- DATES: Wednesday, July 30-Sunday August 3, 2025.
- Pre-Fair Judging (non-animal exhibits) and & Commercial Vendor Check-In begin in the Expo Building on Monday, July 28 and Tuesday, July 29.

DAILY HOURS:

- 1. Barns OPEN from 8:00am-9:00pm
  2. Gate Charges/Ticketing from 9:00am-10:00pm
  3. Expo Building OPEN from 9:00am-9:30pm
  4. Family & Kids Entertainment SHOWS 11:00am-5:00pm (approximate hours, final hours posted at FAIR)
  5. Grandstand Shows begin between 6pm and 7pm
  6. Music Village Bands start at 8pm, with 4pm opening acts on Friday & Saturday. Beer Tents & Music Village CLOSE by MIDNIGHT
- CARNIVAL & RIDE HOURS (see Mr. Ed’s Magical Midways for ride information and rider requirements):
  1. Wednesday & Thursday 4:00pm-10:30pm
  2. Friday 1:00pm-10:30pm (closed for safety check from 4-5pm)
  3. Saturday 12:00noon-10:30pm (closed for safety check from 4-5pm)
  4. Sunday 12:00noon-4:00pm

COUNTY FAIR CLOSES AT 4:00pm on SUNDAY, AUGUST 3, 2025.

See Events Page for more detailed information on entertainment dates & times.

How much do tickets cost?

Daily Admission Tickets are $12.00 in Advance and $15.00 at the Gate. Includes unlimited carnival rides. Tickets are per person and can be used any one day of the Fair (not date-specific).
Memberships (Weekly Passes) are $35 in Advance and $40.00 at the Gate. Does NOT include carnival rides. Memberships (Weekly Passes) are non-transferable and include unlimited admission all 5 days of the Fair.
Youth Exhibitor Passes are available for $8/youth and include unlimited admission all 5 days of the Fair (does NOT include carnival rides). Please contact your club/group leader to find out how to purchase exhibitor passes.
All tickets/memberships are non-refundable. Events subject to change. All sales are final.

What about Tickets for the Carnival Rides?

Carnival Rides are included with our all-inclusive Daily Admission Tickets ($12 in Advance or $15 at the Gate). We do not sell individual ride tickets or passes. One Ticket, One Price, ONE WHOLE DAY OF FAIR FUN! Enjoy the shows & entertainment, Enjoy the Carnival Rides or Enjoy BOTH! Whatever your pleasure is at the Fair, we are sure you will get your money’s worth of enjoyment!

Where does the Winnebago County Fair take place?

Admission is for one person, any one day of the Fair (not date-specific).
Includes entry into fair, parking, grandstand shows, live bands, family entertainment, free face painting & balloon art, exhibits & barns. AND UNLIMITED Carnival Rides (Yes! We said UNLIMITED!). Carnival hours vary daily and rides close 4-5pm daily for safety checks.
One Ticket, One Price, ONE WHOLE DAY OF FAIR FUN! Enjoy the shows & entertainment, Enjoy the Carnival Rides or Enjoy BOTH! Whatever your pleasure is at the Fair, we are sure you will get your money’s worth of enjoyment!
On rare occasions a special attraction may charge an extra fee, such as the bungee jump offered by the carnival. However, the MAJORITY of entertainment is included with your DAILY ADMISSION TICKET.
Events subject to change. All sales are final.

What does a Membership/Weekly Pass include?

Memberships (Weekly Passes) include an ANNUAL membership to the Winnebago County Fair Association, including voting rights at the annual meeting and elections in December.
Memberships include a Weekly Pass to the fair that includes unlimited admission all 5 days of the Fair. Memberships are non-transferrable (bearer will receive a wrist-band at the gate and must have both their membership card and an intact wristband for re-entry)
Includes entry into fair, parking, grandstand shows, live bands, family entertainment, free face painting & balloon art, exhibits & barns. Memberships (Weekly Passes) do not include carnival rides.
On rare occasions a special attraction may charge an extra fee, such as the bungee jump offered by the carnival. However, the MAJORITY of entertainment is included with your MEMBERSHIP (WEEKLY PASS).

Events subject to change. All sales are final.

Does my child need a ticket?

Children 3 and under are FREE

Children 4 and up will need a Daily Admission ticket or Membership (Weekly Pass). We do offer $8 weekly passes to YOUTH EXHIBITORS and their siblings. Contact your Club/Group for purchasing information.
Rides & Height Restrictions. Mr. Ed’s Magical Midways provides the carnival rides and midway attractions at our Fair. Many rides have a 36” height restriction. All riders (including parents/guardians/chaperones of young children) must have a Daily Admission Ticket (wristband) to go on the rides). See Mr. Ed’s website for rider requirements and info on Family & Kiddie Rides.
Coming to visit the Barns with children? The barns open at 8am (admission charges do not begin until 9am). Guests are welcome to stay on the grounds and enjoy all family entertainment the Fair offers during the day (Nick’s Kids Show, magicians, face painting, balloon art, pig/duck races, aerial troupe/circus, fishing, chainsaw woodcarving, glass blowing & MORE!). A Daily Admission Ticket purchase will be required to go on carnival rides.

Want to get your child more involved? Check out our “Farmer for a Day” youth mentorship program where kids are paired up with a Youth Exhibitor in an interest area of their choice for a personal tour of the Fair! Open to youth ages 7-16.

Do you have a Senior Citizen Discount?

We offer a Senior Citizens Day (Age 55+) on Friday of the Fair. Admission for Seniors on Friday is $5 at the Gate from 9am-4pm. Does not include carnival rides.

Do you have discounts for Veterans/Military Service?

We offer a Veterans Day on Friday of the Fair. All veterans receive free admission to the fair all day (does not include carnival rides).
The Winnebago County Veterans Services Office (CVSO) is offering Advance Ticket discounts to Veterans/Families. Visit the CVSO in Oshkosh or Neenah from June 2-July 29 to get:
1. FREE Daily Admission Ticket (including carnival rides) for Service Members/Veterans
2. $8 Daily Admission Tickets for friends & family (must be purchased by the Service Member/Veteran)

The theme of our Veteran Appreciation Day this year is “Becoming Independent Through Education & Entrepreneurship.” The CVSO will have a variety of vendors on hand to share resources related to education & entrepreneurship for veterans AND THEIR CHILDREN, along with some exciting displays, activities & giveaways to celebrate veterans & their families. Come check it out!

Where can I buy tickets?

Advance Tickets/Memberships are available ONLINE from the Winnebago County Fair Square store at discounted prices (credit card only). Paper tickets are mailed to you via USPS. Online ticket sales end on July 22, 2025 to allow for delivery.
Advanced Tickets/Memberships are available from these LOCAL RETAILERS at discounted prices from June 2 - July 29, 2025 (Cash or check only). Tickets are only sold in person.
1. UW Credit Union at 748 Algoma Blvd (UWO Reeve Hall Building)
2. Festival Foods in Oshkosh (Neenah and Menasha)
3. Piggly Wiggly in Omro and Oshkosh ONLYAdvance Tickets/Memberships are available from these LOCAL RETAILERS at discounted prices from June 2 - July 29, 2025 (cash or check only).
4. Winnebago County Clerk’s Office, Oshkosh
5. Winnebago County Parks Department, Oshkosh
6. Hair Connection (522 N Main St. Oshkosh)
7. Leo’s Service Center (302 W Main St, Winneconne)
8. Winnebago County Veterans Services Offices, Oshkosh and Neenah (Veterans Only - Special Discounts available)

JULY 30 - AUGUST 3, 2025: Tickets/Memberships are ONLY AVAILABLE AT THE GATE (cash or credit only).

POLICIES, SAFETY & SECURITY

What forms of payment do you accept at the Fair? (here or general information?)

Individual vendors are able to determine what forms of payment they will accept.

CASH is accepted at all locations at the Fair. Some food vendors will also accept credit cards.
Gate Charges/Tickets are CASH or CREDIT CARD?
Is anything Credit Only?
Youth Organizations, Junior Fair/Open Class Exhibitors, Commercial Vendors, etc…the Winnebago County Fair Association will accept cash, check or credit card payments at our Fair Office in the main entryway of the Expo Building

Where is the First Aid Station located at the Fair?

Our First Aid Station is located in the Exposition Hall at the end of the West Wing (the non-carpet wing on the Grandstand side of the building).