National Weather Service at the 2015 Wisconsin State Fair

After a two year hiatus, the National Weather Service in Milwaukee/Sullivan, returned to staff an exhibition booth at the 2015 Wisconsin State Fair. Through a collaboration with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the National Weather Service (NWS) staffed a booth in the north pavilion of the Natural Resources Park for the eleven day run of the fair, from August 6^th through August 16^th.

State Fair exhibit

Over 100,000 visitors passed through the north pavilion during the duration of the fair. Most of them stopped by the NWS exhibition booth to examine the information on Wisconsin severe weather, enter a raffle to win an All Hazards NOAA Weather Radio, make a guess at estimating hail size, or pick up an informational brochure on services provided by the NWS and its partners. NWS staff also demonstrated the services provided by the NWS local and national websites. Radar information was very popular when showers threatened the fairgrounds.

Younger visitors were attracted to the simulated tornado machine and other tornado toys.

NWS Senior Meteorologist Steve Davis interacts with young visitors at the NWS Exhibition Booth

Thanks to the Wisconsin Division of Emergency Management for providing the All Hazards NOAA Weather Radios as raffle prizes. Over 1700 visitors entered the raffle drawing to win a weather radio.

The five lucky prize winners are:

James Foulker - Lodi WI
Mark Schadler - Franklin WI
Gale Kronforst - Mishicot WI
Amanda Doud - Mukwonago WI
Mike Frailing - West Milwaukee, WI

Congratulations!

We hope to see everyone at the 2016 Wisconsin State Fair.

Marc Kavinsky
National Weather Service - Milwaukee/Sullivan