Chaos erupts at the Wisconsin State Fair.
What is typically a family-friendly summer tradition spiraled into disorder Sunday night when a large fight broke out at the Wisconsin State Fair, with fairgoers seen throwing punches and kicks during the festival’s final hours.
Authorities said seven people were arrested in connection with a series of “disturbances” at the Wisconsin State Fairgrounds in West Allis, Wis., as the annual event came to a turbulent close.
Video obtained by Fox6 Milwaukee showed dozens of unidentified people, many of whom appeared to be teenagers, running through the food court and clashing near the north end of the fairgrounds, behind the grandstand at The Milwaukee Mile Speedway.
In one disturbing scene, at least five people dressed in black were recorded punching and kicking a man who was curled on the ground in a fetal position beside a corndog stand.
Nearby, another person was knocked down and appeared to hit their head on the concrete floor near an adjacent booth.
The violence appeared to stretch across several hundred yards, while some fairgoers moved in to shield people on the ground from being hurt further.
As the confrontations escalated, much of the crowd eventually scattered, sprinting away from the fairgrounds and down a nearby residential street, the video showed.
A police officer was struck by an unidentified object but did not suffer any serious injuries.
No other injuries were reported following the mayhem. Police did not reveal a motive for the brawls.
Fair officials condemned the large fight that appeared to have been between teens or young adults, saying no brawls had broken out until the closing hours of the final day.
“For 11 days, hundreds of thousands of guests came together for a safe and successful Wisconsin State Fair. The incidents Sunday evening were isolated to the final hours of the Fair and are not representative of the experience our guests enjoyed throughout the event,” the fair said in a statement. “The behavior is always unacceptable and is not what we expect or will tolerate at the Wisconsin State Fair Park.”
Earlier in the evening, police chased several people who had been in a fight near the amusement rides of the fair, according to video posted online.
The state fair, held between Aug. 6 and 16, banned guests 17 and younger from entering the grounds without an adult after 12 p.m. — all adult chaperones limited to six minors.
Police officers and security guards responded quickly to the altercations, according to officials.
“We had enhanced security and additional law enforcement resources in place throughout the Fair, including support from the Milwaukee and West Allis police departments, State Troopers, Milwaukee Police District 3, MPD Major Events Response Team, mounted and bicycle patrols, and drone coverage,” the statement said.
The identities or ages of the arrested suspects were not made public.
“The safety of our Fairgoers, vendors, exhibitors and employees is always our highest priority. We are grateful to Wisconsin State Fair Park Police and all of our law enforcement partners for their response Sunday evening and their work throughout the Fair,” officials said.
