State Fair opening day brings new foods, attractions

Thousands attened Wisconsin State Fair opening day

Thousands attened Wisconsin State Fair opening day

WEST ALLIS (WITI) -- The Wisconsin State Fair kicked off its 162nd year on Thursday, August 1st, with new foods, rides and attractions to satisfy all ages.

"This is exciting! It only comes once a year," said fair enthusiast Sandra Martin.

Brand new rides like the Air Raid and Sky Flyer have thrill seekers raving.

"When I got on I just spinned around and I almost had a heart attack," said one young boy about his favorite ride, Air Raid.

Foods such as Island Noodles' newest item Island Slaw are big winners, too. The slaw won a Sporkies Award for Best Tasting Food.

Also new to the Sporkies this year are finalists Cajun Mac 'n Cheese and Rasta Shrimp Sliders, created by Tropics at the Fair.

"People were saying to us that you just don't see this type of food at the State Fair, but we always like to go the extra mile here," said Gregg Karnis of Tropics at the Fair.

The Wisconsin State Fair motto is "A True Original" and FOX6's Justin Williams experienced an original beef jerky creation as workers at All Things Jerky made him a one-of-a-kind beef jerky pillowcase -- two and a half pounds of beef jerky sewn together and wrapped around a pillow.

The Wisconsin State Fair runs through August 11th.