Wisconsin State Fair officials condemned a chaotic brawl that erupted in the final hours of the annual festival.
Seven people were arrested for their involvement in what officials called a series of “disturbances” at the Wisconsin State Fairgrounds in West Allis, Wis., on Sunday night, Aug. 16. Dozens of unidentified brawlers raced through the food court to attack each other as the fracas got out of hand near the north end of the fairgrounds behind the grandstand of The Milwaukee Mile Speedway, according to video obtained by Fox6 Milwaukee.
In one altercation, at least five people wearing all black clothing were captured punching and kicking a man lying on the ground in the fetal position on the side of a corndog stand. Another person was tossed to the ground and smacked their head against the concrete flooring at the next booth over from the first attack. The brawl spread across several hundred yards while festivalgoers attempted to protect the victims on the ground from further injuries.
A majority of the large crowd then sprinted away from the fights, down a nearby residential street, according to the video. A police officer was struck by an unidentified object but did not suffer any serious injuries. No other injuries were reported following the mayhem.
Police did not reveal a motive for the brawls. The Wisconsin State Fair Park Police Department said disturbances started when some people attempted to gain unauthorized access into the fair, while others started fighting on the fairgrounds near SpinCity.
Fair officials condemned the large fight that appeared to have been between teens or young adults, saying no brawls had broken out until the closing hours of the final day. “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,” the fair said in a statement. “The behavior is always unacceptable and is not what we expect or will tolerate at the Wisconsin State Fair Park.”
Earlier in the evening, police chased several people who had been in a fight near the amusement rides of the fair, according to video posted online. Widespread social media videos of the scrum show crowds of people, including what appear to be uniformed officers, running, shouting and physically fighting in various locations at the fairgrounds, 640 S. 84th Street.
Police officers and security guards responded quickly to the altercations, according to officials. “We had enhanced security and additional law enforcement resources in place throughout the Fair, including support from the Milwaukee and West Allis police departments, State Troopers, Milwaukee Police District 3, MPD Major Events Response Team, mounted and bicycle patrols, and drone coverage,” the statement said.
The identities or ages of the arrested suspects were not made public. “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,” officials said.
“Those resources allowed our security and public safety teams to respond quickly Sunday evening,” a statement continued. “We continually review our security plans with our law enforcement partners and look for ways to make the Fair even safer for our guests.”
In the viral moment that spread across social media platforms, the Wisconsin State Fair descended into an all-out frenzy as scores of fairgoers threw haymakers and kicks during the out-of-control brawl. The state fair, held between Aug. 6 and 16, had banned guests 17 and younger from entering the grounds without an adult after 5 p.m. — all adult chaperones limited to six minors. Wisconsin State Fair Park Police confirmed there were no gunshots fired on Sunday evening, dispelling rumors circulating on social media.
The Wisconsin State Fair Park will host the INDYCAR Weekend at Milwaukee Mile as its next major event.