Little State Fair

We’re looking for our next King and Queen! Get your applications in today! 👑

2026 Brown County Fair King & Queen Application Be sure to review your responses carefully before submitting. Once you click "submit" at the bottom of the page, you will not be able to change or re-submit your application information. We strongly recommend that you print this application first, write or type out your responses, then come back to....

A poem by Jess Bier regarding the cancellation Brown County Fair in 1942 due to World War II. Also included are a few of his season passes from 1874, 1961, and 1962.

When a little nip o'winter
Comes a stealin' on the breeze,
An' the cool and frosty mornin's
Put the color on the trees,
An' the dew drops turn to crystals
In the atmosphere so rare
Seems to tell me that all nature's
Gettin' ready for the fair.
An' this year she's gotten ready
An' the spirit now appears,
Just like she's been a doin'
Fer nigh on a hundred years,
But she finds no welcome waitin'
An' a silence seems to pall
An' brings a bit o' sadness
That just seems to touch us all.
Oh, the dry leaves are a driftin'
Unmolested on the grounds,
An' the air is stilled and silent,
Fer we do not hear the sounds
Of the bands, or of the shoutin"
Of the crowds around the ring;
Ah, this first week of October
Simply doesn't mean a thing.
The dust is thick and heavy
On the shelves in Floral Hall
Where the pies and cakes and goodies
Made a temptin' sight for all.
An' the weeds grow on the Midway
An' the grandstand's bleak, and bare
There's a spot in life that's missin'
When we do not have the fair.
But this year we're far to busy,
Fer we have a job to do,
What matters if we do not have
A fair in forty-two.
If the things we miss are helpin'
Puttin' Hi**er on the run,
An' the pleasures that we forego
Help us set the "Risin' Sun"

Jess Bier - 1942

✨Celebrating the 175th Brown County Fair✨

For 175 years, The Little State Fair has brought generations together to celebrate agriculture, community, and unforgettable memories. From our very first fair in 1850 to today’s vibrant celebration, this cherished tradition has been a place where families gather, stories are shared, and history comes alive.

As we prepare for this milestone year, we invite YOU to be part of honoring the past while celebrating the future!

We’re looking for your memories!
• Old fair photos and videos 📸
• Vintage memorabilia (programs, ribbons, tickets, etc.) 🏆
• Stories that capture what the fair means to you (written or recorded)

Help us showcase 175 years of community spirit by sharing your pieces of fair history!

💬 How to participate:
Send what you would like to share (or a description/pic) to us at [email protected]. Please include any information you can about who is in the photos/videos and what years they are from.

The Brown County Fair has always been more than an event… it’s a legacy.
Let’s celebrate 175 years together and make this year one to remember.