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Grounds Attractions, Family Entertainment Tent, & More!

Take a look at all the fun attractions coming to the 2024 Central Wisconsin State Fair!

The Dweebs

Date: Tuesday, August 20th, 2024
Show Time: 7:30 PM in the Family Entertainment Tent
Ticket Prices: FREE with gate admission

About the Band

The Dweebs family band features Michael Blue, his two sons, and daughter. They travel the country preforming at Fairs, Festivals, Public, Private, and Company events. Playing all your favorite top 40 hits from the 60's through today. Colorful costumes, crazy stage antics, and lots of crowd participation are all a staple at every Dweebs show. With over 30 years in the music industry The Dweebs continue to deliver top quality entertainment and fun for all who attend.

Kenny Ahern

Kenny Ahern, Fairs and Festivals

Transcript

Show Times:
Three 30 min. shows each day. Exact Start Times are TBD.

Kenny Ahern's shows are filled with AMAZING comedy antics, HILARIOUS physical comedy and FUN audience play! Kenny has toured the planet, building a stellar reputation as a world-class family entertainer. He creates a comic world filled with spectacular artistry and heartwarming charm.

No matter the age. No matter the stage. Kenny's family stage show To Laugh is to Live! is a delightful escapade for all ages! This performance has been presented to wonderful reviews on variety stages and in theaters around the world! It features a flexible set and lighting design, suitable for any stage.

Hand-Picked Bluegrass Band

Tuesday, August 20

2:00 PM - 5:15 PM

Hand-Picked Bluegrass Band delivers a show of stellar picking and powerful vocal arrangements. HPBB has performed at numerous festival events, concerts in the park, private performances and opened for groups including The Chapmans, Rhonda Vincent, Martha & Eddie Adcock, James King, Bobby Osborne, the Gibson Brothers just to name a few. With such a high caliber lineup, you can be sure that each and every performance will be a special one!

The Memories

Transcript

Date: Wednesday, August 21st, 2024
Show Times: 3:15 PM & 4:30 PM
Location: Family Entertainment Tent

The Memories are a Wisconsin-based duo made up of Warren Petryk and Tim Stevens and are returning to perform at the Central Wisconsin State Fair for the 10th time since 2006! They have entertained audiences across the country with classic songs and family-friendly humor. Now in their 52nd year, The Memories continue to deliver a show that has been described as “Music, Laughter, and Wonderful Times!”

The Gators Band

The Gator's Band

Thursday, August 22

11:20 AM - 12:30 PM

4:00 PM - 5:30 PM

The Gators provide the largest variety of music imaginable performing music from as far back as the 1940's to music from today. Using the most modern equipment available, they can entertain any age group and any occasion or event, large or small. The Gator's Band pride themselves on being a truly versatile music duo.

Bad Habitz

Bad Habitz
Thursday, August 22
9:00 PM - 12:00 AM

Bad Habitz is a talented, hard-working rock band. Heavily influenced by 80s rock music, this 3-piece band will amaze you with not only their ability to play, but also with their stage presence. Drawing from an immense play list, this multi format band will tailor their show to fit the needs of the buyer- performing either a rock heavy or dance heavy show. No longer a youth act, Bad Habitz has grown up in the Fox Cities music scene. The band performs with a seasoned maturity and confidence that will shock audiences of all ages.

Main Street Conservatory of Dance Performance

Main Street Conservatory of Dance will be performing at the 2024 Central Wisconsin State Fair!

Date: Friday, August 23rd, 2024
Time: 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Location: Family Entertainment Tent

"M.S.C.D. provides dance opportunities to students of every level, from beginner to pre-professional and from the age of 3 to adult. Our professional staff is dedicated to providing strong, technique-based dance education to our students in a safe, caring, and nurturing environment. We know that this experience will better our students' future- giving them more self-confidence, teaching them the importance of discipline, respect & organization, and hopefully instilling a life-long love & appreciation for the art of dance."

the foxfire affair

Transcript

Saturday, August 24
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM

High-energy Celtgrass - Celtic / maritime / folk

Daniel and Claire make up the duo, "the foxfire affair." These multi-instrumentalists bring a full band sound when playing multiple instruments simultaneously. Guitar, concertina, tenor banjo, accordion and other instruments. They play everything from Irish traditionals to sea shanties, American folk to a touch of original material. In a nutshell, lively Irish pub style music with a bluegrass flair. It's the music you didn't know you loved... until now.

Red Higgins & Freedom Train

Date: Saturday, August 24th, 2024
Time: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Location: Family Entertainment Tent

Red Higgins is an American born and raised in Northern Wisconsin. He is a Nashville Recording Artist and has appeared on National Radio and Television. He has played numerous Casino's, Festivals, County and State Fairs.
Red hosts a " Classic Country Show" and a 'Classic Country Christmas Show". Red is a supporter of the " Honor Flight Programs and has done shows to help send Veterans to Washington DC.

Red and his band cover classic hits from Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard and Conway Twitty , Elvis to some "Old Rock and Roll". Red's original songs are reminiscent of true Traditional Country and Country Gospel. Together Red and his wife Lisa Marie they have teamed up to bring to life some of Country's greatest Duets. Lisa Marie covers hits from Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn and Patsy Cline and more.

Red has had hits on the Country Gospel and Blue grass charts. His original song " His Name is Jesus" achieved International success.

Soul Whiskey

Saturday, August 24th

9:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.

Rapidly rising Central WI acoustic country band Soul Whiskey is led by singer/songwriter and Stevens Point native, Travis John, whose strong, melodic vocals awaken every country song while simultaneously playing acoustic guitar and percussion.

Backed by exceptional talent comprised of Kurt Schweers on banjo, Garth Englebright on mandolin and harmonica, and anchored by Rob Easterson on stand-up bass. These locally successful individual performers have joined together creating a powerhouse collaboration.

Together they radiate an infectious energy as they bring to life 2000's country hits mixed with 90's country favorites that resonate with bluegrass undertones. From addictive choruses to exhilarating harmonies, they are sure to captivate and entertain audiences with a performance you don't want to miss!

Balloons by Kevin

Date: Friday, August 23 - Sunday, August 25, 2024
Times: 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Balloons by Kevin (aka Mr. Rogers with Muscles) is the Midwest's Premier Balloon Artist. Working across MN, WI, & IA he provides professional, family friendly entertainment at a wide range of events. Aside from his entertainment bread & butter, he provides professional balloon decor & arches, balloon dresses, balloon workshops, photo ops, & balloon drops while giving back to the community through his charitable arm of the business - Blue Collar Christ.

Pleasure Valley Pig & Duck Races

Show Times:
2 Shows on Tuesday
4 Shows on Wednesday-Saturday
3 Shows on Sunday
TBD

A 20-minute high-energy show for all to enjoy.

We encourage fairgoers to get involved with cheering on the animals.

Hot Glass Academy

Happening throughout the Week! Times TBD

Spark your imagination through a material that is 2,000ºF and a process that is over 2,000 years old.

“I have always enjoyed the challenge of glassblowing, as it is a craft and art form that has taught me to be humble and enjoy my journey.” -Devan Cole, Founder of Hot Glass Academy

Hot Glass Academy is a mobile art, craft, sculpture, entertainment and educational service provider. We employ professional glass artists that love what they do – it’s who we are. We intertwine a lifestyle with the passion that we have for working with hot glass.

Our artists have demonstrated glassblowing all over the United States and some internationally. We offer a wide range of demonstration and workshop options, from a family-friendly rock star attitude to formal ballroom chic for groups of all types and sizes. We are one of few businesses that offer onsite glassblowing demonstrations and workshops at just about any location (including outdoors).

Hayes Boys Orchestra

Hayes Boys Orchestra
Wednesday, August 21
11:30 AM - 2:30 PM

The Hayes Boys Orchestra has played throughout Wisconsin sharing their love of the old time polka music, waltz's and big band. Many of the musical numbers have been arranged by Elmer Hayes, a 2013 recipient of the Distinguished Service Award from the Wisconsin Polka Hall of Fame. Current full-time band members include: Tom Hayes (trumpet), Gene Nikolai (Bass Horn), Rich Pinski (Keyboard, Accordion, Button Box, Vocals) and Rich Wilkosz (Drums).

Poppa Bear Norton

Transcript

Date: Wednesday, August 21, 2024
Time: 9:00 PM - 11:30 PM

Location: Family Entertainment Tent

Who is Poppa Bear Norton? Hailing from the Land of 10,000 Lakes, Poppa Bear Norton proclaim themselves to be America’s only, and therefore number one, daredevil country act! They were recently awarded both the 2018 Midwest Country Music Association’s “Songwriter of the Year” and “Maverick” awards and have been described as hilarious hillbilly music and a two-man country music marvel.

They perform their own brand of country and western music that harkens back to the days of Buck Owens and Johnny Cash, as well as the outlaw era of Waylon, Willie, and Haggard. A time when a song was written like a well-crafted story and performed with passion, sincerity, humor, and refined musical skill that has been lost in today’s modern sound. When “Poppa Bear” (aka The Singer) and “B” (aka The Slinger) hit the stage and fire up their one-part honky-tonk, one-part Hee-Haw styled country show, it’s fast, exciting, fun, and entertaining. That’s what makes it daredevil country.

Poppa Bear Norton is not just a band or a duo, it’s an award-winning act whose musical style, funny stage banter, and captivating lyrics will have you laughing one minute and tearing up the next. Non-country folks like ‘em because they look wild, play fast, and have fun performing a style of music they may have never heard before, in a way they have never seen. Country fans love ‘em because their energy, music, and stage banter remind them of something genuine and familiar, yet at the same time something completely new and different. That’s who Poppa Bear Norton is.

Jackson Taylor

Thursday, August 22

1:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Jackson Taylor grew up in Medford, Wisconsin and currently resides in Weston, Wi. He covers early to mid 2000's country music along with many originals. With a unique acoustic driven country sound, his sound is inspired by country artists Jason Aldean, Riley Green, & Canaan Smith. Releases like his single “Painting Pictures.” (2022) tells a Romantic love story of him and his wife’s journey along with his upcoming Nashville Produced “If I Knew (What I Know Now)” (April 2024) telling stories of some of those harder times, and trials a relationship can bring. Much of Jackson’s writing is influenced by his life, his passions, his wife, and family. Jackson’s Live Acoustic Show covers the Midwest in mainly Wisconsin with 85 different venues and close to 175 shows in 2023. Jackson has also performed in Midwest surrounding states Minnesota, Michigan, Iowa, Indiana, & Ohio, on occasional out of state tours. Jackson likes to keep things real and authentic .You get what you see with this artist.

Hub City Jazz

Date: Thursday, August 22nd, 2024
Time: 6:00 PM - 7:15 PM
Location: Family Entertainment Tent

Hub City Jazz is a swingin’ seven piece jazz ensemble based in Central Wisconsin. We play the best in jazz standards for dancing and easy listening. Our repertoire ranges from the 30’s to the 70’s including the work of Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Horace Silver, Carlos Jobim, Herbie Hancock and many others. If you like the sounds of eclectic bebop, fusion/funk or smooth Latin sambas, Hub City Jazz can provide.

Dawn Marie

Date: Friday, August 23, 2024
Time: 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Dawn Marie is a County Singer-songwriter and natural performer with the experience and passion to command an audience's attention. As if her Midwest roots weren't enough, she has also had the pleasure of sharing stages with many talented national acts, such as Sara Evens, Diamond Rio, Tyler Farr, john Beland, Little Texas, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and many more.
https://www.dawnmarie-music.com/

Star Six Nine

Show Time:
Friday, August 23, 2024
9:00 PM - 12:00 AM

Location: Family Entertainment Tent

Established in 2008, Star Six Nine has played everything from the big stages at Summerfest, to Festivals, to Bars and even backyard BBQs. Winners of the 2019 WAMI Cover Band of the Year and nominated many years prior to that.

3 lead singers and WAMI nominated musicians keeps the night interesting, paired with great sound and lights!

Rock? Pop? Country? You never know what you might hear next.

We invite you to join us at a gig...a visit to our show will most likely leave you feeling that you're not just an observer or fan. You're a participant.

When you're ready to party...come see us!

Mill Creek Cowtippers

Saturday, August 24

2:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Fun group of guys from Central Wisconsin that play a variety of country music.

The Cronicks

Sunday, August 25

12:00 PM - 3:00 PM

The Cronicks and the Intergalactic Boogie Woogie Band is a group of award-winning musicians with the same goal - to provide rollicking, foot-stomping jubilation. The boogie-woogie sound emerged from the American South in the late 1920's. The Cronicks keep this tradition alive with their intoxicating rhythmic sound, playing blues, rockabilly and of course, boogie-woogie.