Wisconsin State Fair shuts down early amid severe weather… what to know
Torrential rain floods roads and shuts down runways at Milwaukee’s airport during life-threatening flash flooding in southeast Wisconsin.
The Wisconsin State Fair was forced to close early Saturday night, Aug. 9, after powerful storms and a flash flood warning swept across the region.
The National Weather Service issued the warning around 8 p.m. for Milwaukee, West Allis, and Wauwatosa, extending until 2 a.m. Sunday. The alert followed a broader flood watch in effect for much of southern Wisconsin earlier in the evening.
Fair organizers announced the closure in a 9:15 p.m. Facebook post, urging guests to leave cautiously and follow directions from Fair Park staff and police. Tunnel Entrance F was shut down due to the storm, with Main Stage and Turn 4 exits designated for reaching parking lots in the Milwaukee Mile.
9:15pm Saturday: State Fair is closing for the night. Here is why. Flash flooding is ongoing in West Allis and parts of the Milwaukee area. Around 4" of rain has fallen and it isn't done yet. PLEASE be careful! There is A LOT of water. pic.twitter.com/8YKf7IFhtB
— Tom Wachs (@Tom_Wachs) August 10, 2025
Videos quickly surfaced online showing drenched fairgoers splashing through puddles as rain poured down.
The weather also forced the cancellation of the night’s main stage act — Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd, scheduled to perform at 7:30 p.m. Despite delays and attempts to wait out the storm, the show was officially called off around 8:15 p.m.
“While we tried everything within our control to allow this show to go on, for the safety of our artists, team, and Fairgoers, we cannot host this concert,” the Fair wrote.
Ticket refunds will be processed within 7–14 days for purchases made through Etix, the Fair’s official ticketing partner. Cash ticket buyers can visit the Fair’s ticket office between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, with their original tickets and ID to receive a refund.