MILWAUKEE CO., Wis. — The 172nd season of the Wisconsin State Fair is coming to a close.

The fair brings in thousands of visitors each year for eleven days full of animals, music, food and fun. 

Kathy Pirkey is a regular and attended every day except one this year. Her family moved to the neighborhood 30 years ago and hasn’t missed a year since. 

“It’s simple to come,” said Pirkey. “We know a lot of people that perform. We’ve watched Steve Trash the past 30 years. People that work at the fair. We bring different family members and friends and do different things each year we come.”

Her favorite attraction is the Discovery Barn to see the animals. She also enjoys the fair food. 

“We always do the Egg Products Building with the Usinger’s Brats and the Lion’s ear of corn,” said Pirkey. “Those are a defiant every year.” 

She’s not the only one who comes to the fair for the food. Thomas Olack and his wife Teri are in town from Georgia. They grew up in West Allis and had to make a stop at the fair. 

“We’ve had cream puffs,” said Thomas Olack. “We had ice cold beer. We had corn on the cob.”

Teri Olack said the fair has grown since her last visit. 

“There’s so many more food,” said Teri Olack. “Like a food court down the street here and across the street here and the diversity of the kind of food you want to eat and some.” 

They’re thankful for their fair visit, and Pirkey is happy for another memorable year. 

“We’re kind of ready to get our neighborhood back and park our on street again,” said Pirkey.

She’s already excited for next year and is counting down for the 173rd Wisconsin State Fair.