Seven people were arrested during massive brawls that broke out at the Wisconsin State Fair on Sunday, officials reported. The fights occurred during the closing hours of the 11-day event.
According to Wisconsin State Fair Park, one police officer was struck during the disturbances but did not sustain serious injuries. No serious injuries were reported among fairgoers.
Law enforcement and security personnel responded to multiple fights on and around the fairgrounds, as well as incidents where individuals attempted to enter the fair without authorization. Officials stated that the violence was confined to the final hours and did not represent the overall experience of the hundreds of thousands who attended the fair. They also confirmed that reports of gunfire were inaccurate, as law enforcement found no gunshots associated with the incidents.
The events drew political commentary from Republican gubernatorial nominee Rep. Tom Tiffany. He criticized Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, his Democratic opponent, on X (formerly Twitter), stating, "This is Milwaukee County under David Crowley. Crime. Chaos. At least one officer punched." Tiffany added, "Public safety starts with leadership, and Crowley’s leadership has failed Milwaukee County. Don’t let him fail Wisconsin."
Wisconsin State Fair Park officials emphasized that such behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. They noted that additional law enforcement and security, including officers from Milwaukee and West Allis police departments, were present throughout the fair. This included the Milwaukee Police Department's Major Events Response Team, mounted patrols, bicycle patrols, and drones. Officials stated that these resources facilitated a quick response to the Sunday evening disturbances. The fair park indicated that it continuously reviews its security plans with law enforcement partners to enhance safety.