Large fights broke out at the Wisconsin State Fair as the event was winding down Sunday night, with viral footage showing crowds of people throwing punches and brawling while police moved in to restore order.
Seven people were arrested in connection with the unrest, Wisconsin State Fair Park said. One police officer was “struck” during the response but was not seriously hurt, and officials said no serious injuries were reported among fairgoers.
According to fair officials, Wisconsin State Fair Park Police responded to disturbances “on and around” the fairgrounds near the close of the annual event on Aug. 16, with assistance from Milwaukee and West Allis police officers.
Wisconsin State Fair Park officials said the violence was limited to the final hours of what had otherwise been a safe 11-day fair that drew hundreds of thousands of visitors. (Tha Goatt via Storyful)
Officials said the incidents included groups fighting inside the fairgrounds as well as individuals trying to get into the fair without authorization.
Wisconsin State Fair Park said law enforcement officers and security teams “responded quickly as these incidents occurred.”
Authorities did not immediately say what sparked the fights at the Wisconsin State Fair on Sunday. (Tha Goatt via Storyful)
Fair officials also addressed rumors of gunfire that spread Sunday night, saying law enforcement confirmed there were no gunshots connected to the disturbances.
The ugly scenes also spilled into Wisconsin politics, with Republican gubernatorial nominee Rep. Tom Tiffany seizing on video of the fighting to hammer his November Democratic opponent, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, over public safety.
“This is Milwaukee County under David Crowley. Crime. Chaos. At least one officer punched,” Tiffany wrote on X.
“Public safety starts with leadership, and Crowley’s leadership has failed Milwaukee County. Don’t let him fail Wisconsin,” Tiffany added.
Crowley did not immediately respond to News Outlet’s request for comment on the fighting or Tiffany’s remarks.
Wisconsin State Fair Park officials said the violence was confined to the final hours of an otherwise safe 11-day fair attended by hundreds of thousands of people.
“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,” officials said.
“The behavior is always unacceptable and is not what we expect or will tolerate at the Wisconsin State Fair Park,” the statement continued.
Officials said additional law enforcement and security were in place throughout the fair, including officers from the Milwaukee and West Allis police departments.
Milwaukee Police District 3, the department’s Major Events Response Team, mounted and bicycle patrols and drones were also used during the fair.
Fair officials declined to say how many officers were deployed, citing security protocols, but said the additional resources helped authorities respond quickly Sunday night.
“We continually review our security plans with our law enforcement partners and look for ways to make the Fair even safer for our guests,” officials said.
Wisconsin State Fair Park said the safety of fairgoers, vendors, exhibitors and employees remains its “highest priority,” and thanked the law enforcement agencies that responded Sunday.
