Posted October 16, 2025
Stoughton, WI, home to only 13,000 people, kicked off its 99th annual fair on July 2, running through Sunday, July 6th. The fair carried on the age-old American tradition of good old-fashioned food and fun within a more traditional setting.
Vice president of the fair committee Chris Quam says the gathering remains rooted in community. “It’s locally funded, we raise money, we have so many great partners that support us,” he said.
Some of the highlighted events at the show included classics, such as a cattle show, a pie-eating contest, and tractor pulls.
The fairgrounds also housed plenty of rides, which ranged from carousels to upside-down roller coasters. “This is easily the biggest thrill-ride here,” said the teen ride operator of the FireBall, the tallest coaster at the park. It first thrusts riders forward, but once upside down, it slows heavily until gravity pulls it back down.
Along with the thrill rides came a newcomer to the fairgrounds. The Legends of Tomorrow Monsters Truck Tour arrived on Wednesday, delivering a look at four 10,000 lb trucks: Thrill Billy, Monster Patrol, Bearfoot, and Bearley Tame.
The hour-long show featured high-speed racing, wheelie contests between drivers, and freestyle action meant to rival Monster Jam shows.
Bearley Tame especially lived up to its name, ending up on its roof during the freestyle portion of the night. Fans cheered despite its failure to complete a two-wheel crawl.
Prior to the thirty-minute show, the trucks had a pit party, allowing some fans to ride inside one of the behemoths. The event as a whole marked a first for the Stoughton Fair, and stands were packed come showtime.
Father Bruce Miller brought his two young sons and daughter to the show. “I’ve been into it since I was their age,” said Miller. His boys hooped and hollered throughout the races, but as for his daughter… “Her not so much,” Miller added.
Another fairground classic was the rodeo on Friday night, which featured a variety of wranglers and bull riders. The hot and humid Fourth of July was also accompanied by fireworks, which lit up the sky past 9 p.m. on the fairgrounds.
One long-time event, pig wrestling, was absent as petitions led to its removal from the fair. The competition involved pinning a pig down with your hands, something described as much harder than it looks.
With the 100th annual Stoughton Fair now officially on the horizon, Quam said his staff will be looking to next year’s fair almost immediately. “Next Monday, we’ll probably be talking about the hundredth. We’re so excited to make it to ninety-nine, but stay tuned.”
The article may be found online at https://uwrfjournalism.org/2025/10/stoughton-concludes-99th-annual-fair/.