ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½

It’s been five years since the Rock County Board in 2018 voted to allow alcohol to be served on the fairgrounds. While we continue to have reservations about that decision due to the location, in the heart of a residential neighborhood, we understand the financial reasoning behind the decision.

Alcohol sales at the fairgrounds — for events other than the fair — can be a source of revenue that some groups rely on.

But we credit the Rock County Fair Association, so far, for resisting offering alcohol sales during the fair’s annual run in July.

The 2023 gate attendance was the best the fair has seen since 2013, fair officials said Monday. Ticket sales were also strong for two headliner concerts by big-name country music stars. That all happened without alcohol.

The Rock County 4-H Fair is one of a handful of county fairs left in Wisconsin where alcohol isn’t sold. It is available at the nearby Dane, Walworth and Jefferson County fairs and also at the Wisconsin State Fair.

We live in Wisconsin. “Beer Barrel Polka,� is an unofficial close second to our official state anthem, “On Wisconsin!� Beer is part of our state culture and history.

But we also know that the combination of alcohol and crowds can lead to situations that aren’t friendly to kids and families.

So how do we keep our county 4-H fair here in ÌÇÐÄVlog´«Ã½ financially viable without a beer tent?

Support it in the ways already open to you. During next year’s fair, plan to eat dinner on the grounds at least one night during the weeklong run. Buy a funnel cake. Put your kids on the rides. Join the bidding at a meat animal auction. And when it’s all over, let the Rock County Fair Association know how much fun you had, without a beer in hand.

In Wisconsin and locally, there are plenty of events that serve alcohol. With kids and families in mind, let’s keep the Rock County 4-H Fair an alcohol-free zone.