The Wisconsin Product Pavilion is always a worthy destination for Fairgoers at the Wisconsin State Fair, thanks to the breadth of Wisconsin’s agricultural prowess and culinary talent.
Among the favorite products returning to this year’s Fair July 31-Aug. 10, is the Wisconsin cranberry, proudly represented by the Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association (WSCGA). And they will be ready and willing to show off the state’s prowess as the nation’s leading grower of cranberries (60% of all cranberries are grown in Wisconsin) and the state’s number one fruit crop, grown in 19 counties and on 25,000 acres of land.
Cannolis, Plinko & a mini marsh
Even sweeter, they will be bringing back a Fair favorite: the Cranberry Cannoli, created in partnership with O&H Danish Bakery. Introduced as a new food in 2018, the cannoli features a wafer-thin cranberry almond cookie rolled and filled with cranberry buttercream and finished off with chocolate-dipped ends.
Other treats include: cranberry white chocolate chunk cookies, dried cranberry snack packs and cranberry juice.
Visitors will also get to participate in various activities at the Wisconsin Cranberry booth, including:
- Taking a photo “standing in the cranberry marsh” while wearing waders!
- “Test the Bounce of Your Berry” on a custom Plinko board with the chance of winning prizes.
- Meet the new cranberry mascot and share your name suggestions daily between 1 and 3 p.m.
- Check out a mini cranberry marsh designed with real vines, irrigation and floating cranberries.
- Meet a real Wisconsin cranberry grower daily between 2 and 4 p.m. They will answer your most curious questions about life on the marsh.
You can also take a peek at activity books and games for kids, recipe cards for adults and educational videos and materials about… you guessed it! Cranberry growing.
“This is a milestone year for Wisconsin’s cranberry growers,” said Grant Holley, Executive Director of the WSCGA. “Last fall marked 30 consecutive years of leading the nation in cranberry production. It’s been amazing to celebrate this achievement with our community.
"We’re looking forward to meeting visitors and showing them what makes Wisconsin cranberries so special. Cranberries are more than just a tasty treat — they’re a key part of Wisconsin’s economy and way of life.”
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
