Central Wisconsin State Fair Grandstand Line-up
Each year, visitors to the Central Wisconsin State Fair can enjoy free musical performances from up-and-coming country acts, favorite rock groups, and the occasional big-name star. A staple of the fair for generations, the grandstand is also one of the more challenging aspects of Fair planning.
“The first thing that happens is determining the budget for the year,” explained Adam Fischer, Executive Director of the Fair. “Once we have that budget in place, usually by October, we start working with the agency that books our acts.”
Working within a budget for each night, Fair planners determine which acts are even attainable.
Though natural to want to showcase the biggest stars at the time, every artist has a price. For example, performers like Carrie Underwood are in the $150,000 range, and country star Tim McGraw is upwards of $1.5 Million.
“Obviously, we don’t have $150,000 or $1.5 million, but we might have $50,000, so then we look and we find someone like the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band,” said Fischer.
After extending an offer to an act, it is often a waiting game to see if they will accept.
“That process can take a very long time,” said Fischer. “Between when you make offer, they can sit on it for 2-3 months, because they always want to route a certain way.”
In an effort to maximize time and money themselves, bands and their management companies will plan a tour that make logistical sense. Instead of traveling from Wisconsin to Texas to California, groups will plan several shows in the midwest to avoid the expensive costs of continually flying.
“When you place the offer, you have to hope and pray that they will be routing well,” said Fischer. “Often, I’ll call fairs and festivals that I know are a week before or a week after our Fair, and let them know that I’m looking to get a certain act. This opens up the possibility that they will say ‘yes’ to you, if they have more than one show in the area.”
Grandstand acts are funded in two ways- through previous revenue and through sponsorships. Fair planners evaluate the previous year’s revenue to determine a budget for the next year, but also seek out underwriting to help offset the costs.
“If it’s a $30,000 or $50,000 act, it can be hard to get that large of a donation, but even if we can get 10 or 15% donated, that really helps to bring more income in to justify those expenses,” said Fischer. “That’s one thing that we are always working on doing. As we get more and more sponsors, that added to money from last year’s revenue, can bring us into a new range.”
Though the cost of grandstand acts isn’t always cheap, Fischer said that charging additional admission to the shows is not even being considered at this point. (Grandstand entrance is free with gate admission, but those looking to get closer to the band can purchase trackside seating for $12.25.)
He also added that having musical entertainment is an important element of the fair, and one he hopes will be around for many more years.
“The fair is an educational event, but it is also an entertainment event, and music is one of the main ways people are entertained,” he said. “I think it’s important because it’s such a historical part of the fair. You can go back 100 years and musicians were coming to fairs to perform, and I think it’s still a huge part of the fair. It’s part of our culture, to provide the grandstand and bring in musicians to entertain people.”
The Central Wisconsin State Fair Grandstand Schedule is as follows:
Wednesday, August 31: Home Free @ 7:30pm
Thursday, September 1: Eric Paslay @ 7:30pm
Friday, September 2: Blue Oyster Cult @ 7:30pm
Saturday, September 3: Regional Brush Pull @ 1:00pm
Saturday, September 3: WTPA Truck & Tractor Pull @ 7:30pm
Sunday, September 4: Nitty Gritty Dirt Band @ 7:30pm
Monday, September 5: Bullriding @ 12:00pm
Monday, September 5: Action Auto Demolition Derby @ 6:00pm
