More: Traffic, Heat No Cream Puff

Rides.  Pig races. Cream puffs. Food on a stick.

It must be time for the 157th annual Wisconsin State Fair.

Across the fairgrounds, exhibitors, vendors and fair workers are now greeting patrons after taking care of last minute details in the final hours beforehand.

State Fair public relations director Patrice Harris says the last few hours before Opening Day meant much busy work.

"Lots of running around, lots of lists," states Harris.

"We've got animals moving in, we've got forklifts moving stuff everywhere, vendors are unloading signs, just going up. Just about anything you can imagine is happening."

In the livestock barn, Brandon Kruzwick was getting his family's cows ready for their fourth trip to the fair.

"It's very enjoyable. It's a fun time. We meet a lot of new people and hang out with people that you've known for a while, too.

What's New, Not So New This Year?

The Fair-Advantage coupon book and Chinese acrobats, and of course, making their triumphant return:

"The giant slide is back and our beloved Cream Puffs are back," states Harris.

So is the butter-dipped corn-on-the-cob from the New Berlin Lions Club. They're celebrating their 50th anniversary this year at the Fair.

"We also have other anniversaries. The 40th for the Giant Slide. The 40th for the Kids from Wisconsin, the Governor's Blue Ribbon Livestock Auction is celebrating its 40th, and the Boy Scouts of Camp Ammon are celebrating their 75th anniversary at the Fair."

"We've got just about 200 food vendors, 400 vendors in the Expo alone, but 700 total commercial vendors," states Harris. We hope hundreds of thousands of fair-goers come through the gates."

The coupon book is available at information booths. The fair requests that coupon books be taken as one-per-family. Vendors have offers for discounts.

S

Among the top items most Fair fans list of their highlights aren't necessarily the giant slide, but four young people might change your minds.

Mitchell, Anabella, Nick and Joey offered their expert reviews after previewing it before today's open. Among those reviews:

"The slide's really fun."

"I think it's really awesome."

"It's really fun because you flew off the slide."