WEST ALLIS, Wis. — Like every mom, Valerie Knapp loves taking pictures of her kids. 

What You Need To Know

  • The second week of the Wisconsin State Fair kicked off Monday

  • For two hours, SpinCity at the fair was 'sensory friendly'

  • All music, lights, and sound effects were turned off on rides and games to allow kids with sensitivities to enjoy

On Monday, Knapp took a lot of them as her kids rode the rides at the Wisconsin State Fair. 

“He’s been on the monster trucks, the roller coaster, and the motorcycles," Knapp said. "We just kind of got here a little while ago, and hopefully he can go on many more.”

She was referring to her son Noah. He has sensory sensitivities, so sometimes getting him on the rides at the fair is a challenge. 

“Even like, his type of clothing that he wears sometimes is a lot of even sensory to his body," Knapp said. "So, to add rides and lights and flashy noises and stuff is a lot for him.”

When she heard the fair was doing a two-hour sensory friendly-block, it was a no-brainer. 

“We specifically went today because of the sensory experience," Knapp said. "We started here at the rides so we could meet that time frame, and then kind of work our way to the other things."

From 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., all the music, the lights, and even sound effects on games were turned off to give kids who have sensory needs the chance to enjoy all the fun without that added stress. 

“He otherwise might avoid going on and having the experience of going on these rides," Knapp said of her son. 

It's something Tess Kerksen, the Director of Public Relations with the Wisconsin State Fair, said the fair wanted to make sure changed this year. 

“We couldn’t be more happy to welcome in guests and be so inclusive to all this with sensory needs," Kerksen said. "It was really a priority for us because we say ’something for everyone’ here at the Wisconsin State Fair, and we mean everyone. Those with sensory needs, there was a really simple solution of reducing some of the light and reducing some of the noise in SpinCity to allow those folks to come in and have an amazing time.”

Knapp said she loved getting to see Noah and other kids with sensory needs enjoy riding the rides and playing the games. 

The fair said it plans to continue the sensory-friendly morning every summer.