Citizens of the Dairy State play rougher than we thought. Just before the Wisconsin State Fair came to a close on Sunday, Aug. 16, some attendees got into an all-out brawl at the family-friendly event.
Videos by Wide Open Country
There Were Some "Disturbances" at the Wisconsin State Fair
As reported by the New York Post, the Wisconsin State Fair ran from Aug. 6 to 16. One admission rule barred guests aged 17 and younger from entering the Wisconsin State Fairgrounds in West Allis after 12 p.m. Additionally, adult chaperones could accompany only six minors.
Even with these rules in place, video footage shows dozens of unidentified fairgoers, many of them appearing to be teenagers, attacking each other in the food court.
It soon became quite the melee. Video shows at least five people dressed in black clothing punching and kicking a man on the ground. He was lying in the fetal position near a corndog stand.
One person's head hit the concrete after being thrown down nearby. The violence spread across several hundred yards, while other fairgoers tried to help those on the ground.
Officials said a police officer was also attacked with an unknown object, but did not suffer serious injuries.
The Fair Called the Incidents "Unacceptable"
There were no other injuries stemming from the incident. Authorities did not share a motive for what happened. The identities and ages of arrested suspects were not made public.
Wisconsin State Fair officials condemned the violence and said the event had been free of such incidents until Sunday night's events.
"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," officials said
in a statement. "The behavior is always unacceptable and is not what we expect or will tolerate at the Wisconsin State Fair Park."They added, "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."
