It was started in 1897 when the state government recognized the difficulty northern Wisconsin citizens had in trying to reach the Wisconsin State Fair held in West Allis. The fair had an attendance of 90,000 in 2001.
The project started in 1897 because northern Wisconsin residents were struggling to get to the Wisconsin State Fair, which was held in West Allis. By 2001, the fair had become a major event, drawing a large crowd of 90,000 people.